Ford Explorer 5.0 Proposal

[Plush1992]

What is your guys thoughts on attempting a mid to mild mpg build on a 2001 5.0 explorer? 13/18 avg stock mpg

If I choose this route almost everything on the vehicle will be rebuilt or replaced. Suspension, balal joints, rear axles, brakes, fluids, full engine and transmission rebuild. I want it to basically be "new".

For the engine I'd do a rebuild. I would mill off 30 thousands of the heads increasing compression ratio to 9.6/1. Mildly increase initial and base timing. Electric fan. Full synthetic oil. Keep or replace with the milder explorer cam and not replace with the GT hotter cam. EGR block. Any other ideas?

Replace the AWD system with the F150 4x4 system. It does not seem to difficult to achieve and seems to greatly increase drivetrain efficiency.

Replace rims with equal size lighter weight rims. Build a front aero under tray/off-road engine protector.

Any other ideas, what kind of MPG could I expect off this build? Or maybe go with a SUV that's already more fuel efficient?

[ME_Andy]

My parents had one of those. I wouldn't do it unless you really like the vehicle.

Theirs was mechanically reliable but the interior was falling apart. Big time clunker.

Maybe a Subaru would be better?

[Ecky]

It's hard to start with a less efficient vehicle, so from that perspective, I guess there's a lot of low hanging fruit. I second ME_Andy's opinion. Do it if you love it. There are few enough vehicles on the road anymore that are easy to love.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

If you replace the AWD with a part-time 4WD, get free-wheel hubs, otherwise it will still have too much drag from the front differential.

As far as the electric fan goes, it can do wonders.

[Plush1992]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

If you replace the AWD with a part-time 4WD, get free-wheel hubs, otherwise it will still have too much drag from the front differential.

As far as the electric fan goes, it can do wonders.

I will definitely have to look into that further! Thank you I wouldn't of thought of that

[hayden55]

If you don't need a 4wd I would go wild and put a massively small rear ratio in the rear end. That would be the benefit of owning a Ford. Limitless rear gear capabilities. I was averaging 25mpg in a 3.0 Ford Ranger with 3.73s but i bet with 3.08s or below i could've been at 30's. That's kinda my least favorite part about my Sequoia is no available gear swaps to decrease rpm's.

[Piotrsko]

Unsure gearing will help a ranger, maybe the later round nose ones.

[Plush1992]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Unsure gearing will help a ranger, maybe the later round nose ones.

Gearing is one of the biggest changes you can make to a vehicle. For the most part, taller gearing will almost always help mpg on the highway. I'm used to a 95hp 4cyl truck so with an explorer making more than double the power I could probably get away with taller gearing, even if only go a little taller.

However I wonder how it would affect city milage???

[Plush1992]

I can't seem to upload a picture but I gave up on the idea until I found a grandma owned 5.0 explorer. The thing is mint. Transmission had been rebuilt. It's just mint and with very few flaws. Came with a set of new tires. $4300. 157k miles. I'ma start a new thread. It will start off as a maintenance thread (naturally) but slowly turn into an MPG thread with my plans

[redpoint5]

I mean, I'm interested to see what becomes of the project, just as I'd be interested in what someone can do with an M1A1 Abrams tank.