My Ford Ranger - Project Log

[nathan01xl]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Don't worry about adding some weight.
My calculations for adding 100lb is it will cost me 0.1MPG at speed on the highway. Real world fuel logs show me losing about 1 full MPG for the first 500lb I add.

If you could get a 3.55 explorer rear cheaply enough it would be worth it.
I would try for the 3.45 even if its hard to find.

good to know, i am definitely going to keep my eyes open for a 3.45 rear end or set of gears. might have to go through a few JYs and see if i have any luck.

[nathan01xl]

Update for today:
I averaged over 40 mpgs to work and back and close to it to my girlfriends and back home. Picked up 2 gallons, $3.83/gal, on the way home from work as a buffer in case i didnt have a chance to get gas tonight, then later went and got some ETHANOL FREE gas for $4.19/gal. Wasn't to happy about the 10% price difference from regular gas but i want to document any difference it might make. I will be sure to give an update about its effects and any efficiency improvements.

[oil pan 4]

How much do you think the air dam and tire spats helped?

I am getting ready to put my air dam on.

[nathan01xl]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

How much do you think the air dam and tire spats helped?

I am getting ready to put my air dam on.

hard to say because i havent done any specific testing for the individual mods. i would estimate around 2-3 mpgs, i think my grille block has been slightly more effective.

[oil pan 4]

I have a grill block too but don't think I will be using it much during the summer.

[Sporty Modder]

In my experiance a airdam has always been good for a5%-15% increase in fe depending on the car and airdam.

[nathan01xl]

New record for mileage on the way to work this morning, 43 mpg. Looks like the ethanol free gas is making a difference but not quite the 10% extra it is costing me. I also was able to draft a semi for about 12 miles which upped my average between 55-60 mph from 35-40 mpg to 45-50 mpg! I was safely drafting with between 1 and 2 seconds of following distance

[hat_man]

Man am I envious ! My Lima doesn't get the great numbers your Duratech does but I am following your progress for new ideas. I would love to switch to the same front bumper you have. More plastic, less metal and covers the front wheels better. And a nice lip to add an air dam to. I don't think the bumper mounts are a direct swap for a '97 though.

Check Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market for a 3:45 rear end. It searches boat loads of JY's and other places for used parts. You can search by region too. The pre-1992 3:45's are 1" shorter on each side moving the rear tires in slightly and maybe allowing more room for rear wheel skirts. I am looking for the same thing.

Nice job all around!

[nathan01xl]

Originally Posted by hat_man

Man am I envious ! My Lima doesn't get the great numbers your Duratech does but I am following your progress for new ideas. I would love to switch to the same front bumper you have. More plastic, less metal and covers the front wheels better. And a nice lip to add an air dam to. I don't think the bumper mounts are a direct swap for a '97 though.

Check Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market for a 3:45 rear end. It searches boat loads of JY's and other places for used parts. You can search by region too. The pre-1992 3:45's are 1" shorter on each side moving the rear tires in slightly and maybe allowing more room for rear wheel skirts. I am looking for the same thing.

Nice job all around!

unfortunately 97s cant just swap bumpers, you would have to do a whole front end conversion.
a good option would be to lower your truck with some drop springs in the front, or cutting a coil or two, and either flipping your rear hangers or doing an axle flip. pretty inexpensive to do and if you dont go any lower than 3 inches you dont 'need' new shocks. just install some low profile bumpstops and you are good to go. thats what i have done and it definitely helps with aero and it rides fine.

[hat_man]

I heard rumors that the 98+ bumper mounts can be "modified" (read bent) to fit the 97 and earlier Rangers. Don't know if that's true or not. I am planning on dropping the front with springs (I don't trust the cut coils) and an axle flip in the rear. Just trying to find the time between work and home remodeling. Too many projects so little time.

My aero cap is still unfinished as of yet. The wife said I had to finish the bathroom remodel before I get any of MY projects finished. You know what they say....If Mama ain't happy, nobody's happy. LoL