Your original post says a 2007 ram. I could only assume that with a higher gear ratio, that the mileage would become lower for those few extra hundred or so rpms. I suppose it also depends on if you’re towing or not. Those extra hundred rpms could allow you to avoid downshifts going up a hill, saving fuel.
A lot of people say a lot of things and fuel mileage is highly miscalculated along with variables of fuel type (ethanol or non), speed, gross weight, altitude, modifications, and tire type to name a few.
I’d say If you’re looking for a new truck just for the fuel mileage, write out the mathematical possiblities and go from there. If your goal is to save money on fuel, calculate exactly how much fuel you’d need to save to make the new truck purchase worth while. You may receive the answer in the math.
Lets say after vehicle cost, taxes, title, insurance, trade in, life-of-loan cost, etc. that the new truck will cost you to spend $5k more initially just to purchase it. You’d then figure out how much fuel you’d need to save to cover that cost and actually make the trade worthwhile and net you savings. You may do the math and it comes out to be 3mpg you’d have to save to make it worthwhile. I’d say that’s almost impossible for 2 nearly identical vehicles. Unless you slam it to the ground and use a speed limit of 65.
