This is the exact reason I bought my 04 now instead of waiting. I didn't need anymore electronic crap under the hood than what we have now

 

Doesn't our trucks have a safety DOD? I remember a salesman mentioning that when the engine overheats or loses coolant, it'll cycle banks and govern you down to 35 mph so you can limp it back to a service station. I believe I saw something about this in the owner's manual. I'll have to check...

 

I really don't know how it could help very much, 4 cylinders pulling a 4000-5500lb chunk of non-areodynamic steel and aluminum??? How is that supposed to work?
The drag on those cylinders even with the valves open just doesn't sound right to me. I could be wrong too.

 

Well, you have to remember... it is only on when you are at cruising speeds. And as soon as the gas is applied to where a decent amount of acceleration is needed, all 8 cylinders kick in. I would suspect it would operate similarly to when the Torque convertor locks up when in OD.

Plus, most of our gas is chewed up in stop and go... getting the truck moving from a dead stop. The drivetrain is already pretty efficient once up to speed. So, if this can REALLY give a 20% overall improvement, I think it is pretty impressive.