Brassica wrote:
The obvious upgrade is to buy the V8 engine, but I am interested in fuel economy. The V6 is 4% better on the highway.
In the 15 years I owned and continue to follow the half ton pickup market, it seems like the same driver gets the same fuel economy for the same driving style regardless regardless of engine or axle ratio choices.
30 gallons of fuel at 20mpg will get a pickup 600 miles down the road, or at maybe 12mpg towing 360 miles. What will matter more to you - going an extra 24 miles not towing/14 miles towing or that your engine didn't downshift as frequently or as many gears while driving? Both have enough power, so it's your preference.
My opinion is get the bigger engine and shorter gears. People tend to notice the power far more often than any potential fuel savings which do not seem to be realized for real world driving.
