My Ford Ranger - Project Log

[nathan01xl]

Originally Posted by MPGsteward

Looks really good lowered more. Wish I could lower my ranger, but Have to be able to put some heavy weight into it. keep us updated on mpg improvements from lowering.

Update: lowering works

39 mpg on last tank, noticeable increase in mpg while cruising around 55mph. i even ran this tank without my air dam and side skirts and haven't suffered any decrease in mpg.

If you have a 98+ Ranger you can lower 2" front (DJM springs) and 3" rear (flip kit and lift shackle) for reasonable cost and still have a very capable hauler. Not very familiar with 97 and earlier but a shackle flip will lower the rear about 2" for <$10.

[radioranger]

I understand the 68 corvette was experiencing severe lift until they put the vents in the fenders, and held up the release of the car to the public. maybe we should all have them .

[Galane]

Originally Posted by radioranger

I understand the 68 corvette was experiencing severe lift until they put the vents in the fenders, and held up the release of the car to the public. maybe we should all have them .

The 1963 Corvette had front end lift at high speeds. Zora Duntov wanted to put vents in the hood to fix it. The stylists didn't want them and said things about water running onto the engine. In the end they "compromised" and put some fake hood vents on, which were removed the next year.

BTW, did you see that TV show about the very last 1967 Corvette off the line being found (in pretty much basket case condition) and fully restored? The only reason it got saved instead of parted out was because it was the last Sting Ray. (From 1968 on it was Stingray.)

[radioranger]

never heard of that one but my boss was a dealer for MFG fiberglass boats and a friend of the owner, some ways back say 1968 or so he was picking up a truckload of boats and talking to th eowner shown a field !! full of corvette bodies, al rejects for onen reason or the other and offered them FREE !! course he didnt take them , where would you put them , but a true story , understand they still make the bodies for chevy .

[nathan01xl]

First mod in a long while, I installed a urethane roll pan today. It is 40 lbs lighter than the old steel one and hopefully more aerodynamic.

[nathan01xl]

Comparison photo to old bumper

[Weber95]

Congrats on the mpg gains. I have an older Yota with the 2.4L and I get 21 mpg city. Well city is more of extra urban to me, stopping and going through town to get to school. Only mods I have now is max side wall psi in the tires and a cardboard grill block infront of the radiator. Maybe if I kick my passenger out that I take to school ill get a mpg or two. I like the mods you did on your truck, I wouldent benefit too much from aero mods just yet I do very little almost no highway miles. Well good luck to you, and may the mods ever be in your favor.

[nathan01xl]

Haha, so far the mods have been kind to me! Haven't been able to get a gauge on the roll pan's effect, the cold and wind make it difficult to compare commutes day to day. Upcoming I might have a 3.45 geared rear end I can get my hands on, excited to see what that can do for me.

[nathan01xl]

scheduled to pick up a 3.45 rear end tomorrow morning. probably wont get it installed this weekend but it will be shortly.

[MetroMPG]

Have you calculated how much it will drop your RPM?