Another Ranger being modded - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

MPGsteward · 09-26-2013, 10:51 PM

Recently bought this Ranger. 07' 2wd 4 cyl Duratec. Chose this particular truck for gas mileage. Will be doing a number of mods to the truck to see how high I can increase the MPG. I havent burned through a full tank yet, but it does seem to be getting the normal range for this model of truck.
First mod: installed 07' aluminum mustang rims & tires. Lighter rims and one inch taller. Ordered some pizza pans this week for them.
Here is somewhat of a before picture.

MPGsteward · 09-26-2013, 10:54 PM

2nd mod: big bold air dam
this is my second air dam I have built. my first air dam on my other truck turned out better, but i like this one too. it sure gets a lot of stares. havent figured out yet if people are staring because they like it or are just confused/taken back.

MPGsteward · 09-26-2013, 11:03 PM

Next set of mods: spare tire delete and associated metal harness.
rear bumper delete (plan on getting a roll pan to replace).
Also cut off the end of my tailpipe and now it dumps over the rear axle.
Shocks were dead so I put some bilsteins on myself and they do help with mpg's in my case. my shocks were so bad i had to slow down more over bumps and cornering.

MPGsteward · 09-26-2013, 11:07 PM

Next mod up is an easy and free one. wiper delete. on this ranger the wipers remove so easily, so if it starts raining I can slip them right back on quickly.

MPGsteward · 09-26-2013, 11:08 PM

Next few free mods completed: debadged, cut off antenna & bent it back, and passenger mirror delete.

MPGsteward · 09-26-2013, 11:10 PM

Constructed a passenger mirror abs plastic plate.

MPGsteward · 09-26-2013, 11:17 PM

Time for a grill block. I used the left over scraps from the air dam on this. btw the air dam material is abs plastic. i bought a 4' x 8' sheet 1/4" thick, cost $80 for whole sheet. I made 2 air dams with the sheet and now a grill block. i used an angle grinder with a cut off wheel to cut and then a grinder wheel to shape and fit. also used a heat gun to mold it into shape. very stiff stuff, but if you heat it you can work with it pretty easily.
Thinking I might use black silicone around all the edges to keep air out of cracks, but still looking around for options on a material for this. Please let me know what has worked well or not so well for you.

MPGsteward · 09-26-2013, 11:26 PM

Here is a couple of shots of my other trucks air dam. I was able to get sharper edges on this one. Its not as bold as the ranger's, but this still gets a lot of looks as well & then they look at the back and see that its an electric truck & take a double or triple take.
I will start a build thread on it as well when my motivation comes back to start modding it again.

MetroMPG · 09-27-2013, 10:45 AM

Welcome to the forum! Good to see another project underway.

I'd advise against sharp corners on the air dam, though. You want smooth transitions for cleanest airflow.

Is it auto or manual? (Psst... make a garage entry for it... Add new vehicle.)

Have you got MPG instrumentation? (ScanGauge/Ultragauge) That's my #1 first bits of advice.

I liked your explanation of how the new shocks helped efficiency.

MPGsteward · 09-27-2013, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the input Metro. Ha, I have a geo metro 3/5. well as far as aero then i gues the rangers air dam came out better than the e-mazda. I was mainly refering to the overal fit, looks, and ease of the mazda's air dam. Both trucks are manual.
I dont have a scanguage or anything on these vehicles, but i'm sure I will get one for the ranger. need to start researching the cheapest place to get one, probably evilbay.