So you aren't gunna dig this, but dig this. I drive a 1990, 3.slo auto. Yeah it's a 4x4 and yes it putters but I go about 65 on my way to work every day with mostly highway mixed with a little city driving. Takes a bit to get going that fast but it goes, but I only get about 15mpg average. BTW, I know that the 2nd gen V6 has a 17.2 gallon tank, not too sure about the first gen. Seriously though dude, had I know that this engine/tranny combo was such a punk, I would have gotten a 22re manual. Now I'm going to have to spend just as much as I spent on the truck to put a 3.4 in it, not to mention the exhaust. Couple thousand more and I could have probably found one that someone else already did the engine swap on. Words of wisdom: Bigger is not always better, at least not in this case. If you're stuck on getting a V6, then you better be ok with leaving home earlier and cruising along at the speed limit.
Oh yeah, the other thing that I noticed that you guys were all talking about is the hill thing. I dunno if you guys disabled yours or if your trucks just didn't come with the option, but just use your cruise control. Sure the RPMs shoot up to 4000 but unless you're trying to run up a mountain, I wouldn't really worry too much about it.
Anyhow, I'm ranting now. Get a 4 banger if you want to get something akin to good gas milage and get a manual to take out the hills. That whole power luxury you were talking about... yeah that doesn't really exist in the 1st/2nd gen realm. Plus, you can build up a 22re a whole lot easier than a 3vze. Just my thoughts.
