Hi, new pickup driver from Kansas

[ksguy]

Hi -
Just dropping by here to say "hello". I happened across this site a week or so ago while searching for some ways to improve MPG on my Zr2 S10 pickup.

I've historically gotten between 12 and 14 MPG doing mostly city driving, with a jump up to 15 or so on mostly-highway tanks. Well 2 weeks ago I started a job that's about 22 miles away so it's definitely been a pain in the wallet.

For a long time I've thought about putting together some kind of aero shell for my truck just as a fun project - I had no idea that people had already done this! Well I got some inspiration from the forums here and yesterday I bought the materials to do a stitch and glue aero shell out of 5mm plywood (I've got experience in this building method from boat-building). I'll cover the thing in epoxy/fiberglass (already on hand from a boat project), smooth it out with fairing putty, and put a nice coat of paint on it to finish it off.

Next up is a belly pan - an idea I got from the 65+ mods page. Dad has a full size fridge that gave up the ghost, so I'll be using the thin sheet metal skin from the fridge to fashion the pan. The nice thing is my pickup has the off road package so 1/3 of the underbody is already covered by skid plates.

Watch for a project thread for the aero cap soon!

[Daox]

Welcome to the site ksguy. Sounds like you got some good plans for the S10. It'll be cool to see them.

[2000mc]

Hi ksguy, I'm a new guy in a different way, just moved to Lawrence a couple weeks ago

[ksguy]

2000mc, what brings you to town?

My new job is in Topeka, we're considering moving over there since my wife commutes there too. But she has a hybrid so the gas cost is a bit more friendly.

[2000mc]

Job related as usual, wife is working at KU, and as a mechanic my job is as transplantable as any. Tricky spot if you're both working in Topeka, especially if you own your home. I haven't even been to Topeka, but I've heard if you prefer the Lawrence / Kansas City area, it's hard to find much like it in the rest of kansas. Do you think that's true?

[whatmaycome14]

Welcome to ecomodder! I look forward to seeing your mods. Make sure you post photos when you're finished!

[artur1808]

Sounds like a good plan on those aeromods! Not sure about your particular truck, but in my experience skid plates tend to be made out of fairly thick and heavy steel. If you're not planning on off-roading the truck and utilizing those skidplates, it might make sense to use them as templates to make ones out of a lighter material.

[Frank Lee]

Is there something wrong with that truck? A lil S10 should do a LOT better than a full-size V8 4x4.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Before getting into mods, you should start looking at the maintenance of your truck and your driving habits.

[2000mc]

Close.... '02 4wd s10s w auto were rated 14 city, the '02 full size 4wd w/ v8 you could get with 13city