Hey guys. I have a 2006 gmc top kick 4500. I'm unsure where to find info and specs on the transmission as well as the motor. It is set up with a 6.6 a and an allison but is quite underpowered stock as well as a fuel pig. I'd like to know what the specs are compared to a 1 ton as well as what I could do to improve mileage while towing. I pull a lq horse trailer with it that weighs 13000 lbs empty. And I get 6 to 7 mPg. My freightliner with an 18 speed and a N14 would get similar mileage. Any help would be good. FYI I'm running a bully dog programmer on the economy setting.
Top kick questions. 6.6 dramax
- Thread starter Spintowin80
- Start date
You will find a lot more information at Dieselplace.com, the Medium duty trucks from what I have read do not always follow the same year motor and transmission lineup as the light duty trucks and emissions has a lot to do with it due to weight ratings...
I sure as hell hope an N14 and 18sp yeilded 8mpg pulling 13000lbs...
I averaged 8+ pulling 53' 80k lb trailers, could get a solid 14 bobtailing..:baby:
Kodiak/top kicks are gonna get less MPG than any 1ton, they're bigger and have more drag, they're heavier and Im pretty sure they're geared different too. Depending on the year (new trucks have a greater GCVW), A 1-ton dually would be pretty close to tapped out with that trailer full of horses...but, it'd do it.
Bully dog isn't great
Personally, I'd go with EFI Live tuning. I can't say that you're gonna see a difference in economy but I'd imagine power and power delivery would be better
EFI tuning, a downpipe and 4" exhaust and you're looking at about all the power/MPG potential that you're going to get without some major cost involved...
Also being you have an 06, go to an ALLISON dealer, and have them flash it to enable 6th gear. GM sold them as 5 speeds, but mOST 06 MD's can have 6th enabled with a flash from an ALLISON dealer(GM can do it as well, but most won't do it as it involves flashing the TCM to a tune file from an 08 VIN). And ditch the BULLY DOG, it is a HORRIBLE tuner. I've done a few LBZ's now for people that had them, and they all said it was night and day difference with one of my tunes VS BULLY DOG's(alot cleaner to).