Hello from the new guy
 

Hello,
I have been browsing these forums for a while now, but am just now joining and posting. I have been using alot of the driving techniques that improve economy for awhile now, even before I found this place. Some started out as parlor tricks in a sense, "I bet you ten bucks I can drive the 3 miles from your house to mine with the engine off." "No way you can do that, I'll take that bet!" I used to own a 1990 Festiva 5-speed, and loved that thing, expecially when I could make fun of Prius' at the gas pumps. "You only get 45MPG?, I'm sorry." Unfortunately it died on me at about 330k on the odometer. Had a neon for a while as well, and could squeeze close to 40 out of it on the highway, without really any effort. Well now due to unavoidable circumstances, I had to get a truck. :( Essentially I have been knocked down to part time at work and my last day is coming up on me fast, so i sold the Neon, and bought the truck dirt cheap ($1,200) so I could use it to make ends meet doing odd jobs. I did my research and found a truck that is supposed to very fuel efficient, a 1997 Nissan D21 with the 4 cyl engine and 5 speed tranny 2wd, but I still want to cry every time i fill it up.

So I guess where I am going is this... Where would a good place to start with this thing be, I am on a very limited budget and I know the aerodynamics on this thing is like a parachute compared to that Neon, since i cant coast down the hills i used to, so that would probably be a good place to start. I already ripped off the mudflaps and all the other crap that the previous owner had attached to the outside. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty, i do all my own work to my cars. Anyone have some good suggestions for me?

Cheap or free: A tonneau (sp?) is something Frank Lee (on this site) has recommended for pick-ups. It smooths the angle from cab to tail and reduces drag. You might try small straight, slightly angled spoilers from the sides and top of the cab. I want to advance the timing on my Civic. I bet it could work for you too. A WAI has worked well on my 1998, and I bet would work for you. A removable grille block (take it off when you are hauling). Can you get away with a passenger side mirror delete? Remove mud flaps. Make cheap tire spats. Get a tire patch kit and remove the spare if there is one. That might be all the cheapies I can think of. Others?

Well I have already done away with the spare and the mud flaps.

The mirrors are a big concern for me. They are like giant parachutes sticking out from the doors. They are about 4 inch by 6 inch flat rectangles, pretty horrible. I use the passenger side mirror a lot though, so I am trying to figure out a replacement rather than full delete, especially since i think if i only took off the passenger side one the truck would turn due to the drag

Also How do you get that MPG thing in your signature? I added my cars to my garage, but cant figure out how to get that there.

You should look up aerohead and see the things that he has done with pickup trucks.

And find a lower numerical ring and pinion for the diff and slow that engine down.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ture-2117.html


Welcome to the site.

Thanks Going to start with a WAI and see how that helps, not sure since this thing uses a MAP sensor instead of MAF. Also on the hunt for mirrors with less Cd. Also looking at the aero cap Fubeca posted, would serve double duty on keeping my stuff dry and helping aero at the same time, looks like i need to go dig out those aero books again...

The MAP sensor is the one you want. We both have them.

Welcome !

welcome to em