My name is Cory. I just replaced my lifted '99 XJ (13 mpg) with a '91 2.3L 5spd Ranger long bed (28mpg). I still have the Jeep but it has become a toy only at this point.
The Ranger has a very big job now though. It's going to need to balance goal my 30 mpg while maintaining sufficient back-country ability (including lugging my gear). I forsee a custom bed cover to improve aero, hinged near the top of the cab with a to be determined tarp set-up to allow in bed over-nights.
Mods not directly related to improving MPG will be upgrading to the factory offered "extreme duty" suspension.
Thoughts and criticism welcome.