My Ford Ranger - Project Log

[Galane]

When GM ran an S-10 at Bonneville they found that covering the rear 2/3 of the bed with a solid wall down to the bottom at the front of the cover had less drag than a full cover.

[deardancer]

any idea on your in town fuel use mileage, and if a 4cyl automatic could get close to these figures?

thanx

dick

[jarawhead]

That is nice work. Does anyone have any tips that would benefit my 3.0L automatic? I have tinkered with a grill block, filled gaps, deleted mudflaps and taller tires. This motor just does not seem capable of respectable fuel economy.

[broncmodder47]

Nathan01xl. I'm not sure if your truck has it but my 03 came with a factory mechanical fan and a electric fan. The e-fan kicks on when the a/c is on. But what I have done is spliced in and made it where it's on constantly. And removed my fan clutch. Getting the clutch fan off can be a chore. It's not left hand thread like the 3.0. They don't make a clutch fan tool that I have found for our trucks so what I did was hooked a ratchet strap on the frame and I one of the holes on the pulley and heated the s*** out of it with a torch and then broke it loose with a crescent wrench

[nathan01xl]

Originally Posted by deardancer

any idea on your in town fuel use mileage, and if a 4cyl automatic could get close to these figures?

thanx

dick

My city mileage is in the mid-high 30s depending on how stop and go it is, i doubt you could do that with an auto though. You really need to be able to EOC in town between lights and stop signs to maximize fuel economy. I am sure by learning your routes and timing lights to avoid braking you could see 30+ though.

[nathan01xl]

Originally Posted by jarawhead

That is nice work. Does anyone have any tips that would benefit my 3.0L automatic? I have tinkered with a grill block, filled gaps, deleted mudflaps and taller tires. This motor just does not seem capable of respectable fuel economy.

3.0l auto is not a good recipe for fuel mileage unfortunately. that engine may be bullet proof but it is neither powerful or efficient, particularly when mated with an automatic transmission. Do all you can with aero mods, an electric fan conversion, weight savings, and driving technique but i would bet your ceiling is around 30-35 mpgs.

[nathan01xl]

Originally Posted by broncmodder47

Nathan01xl. I'm not sure if your truck has it but my 03 came with a factory mechanical fan and a electric fan. The e-fan kicks on when the a/c is on. But what I have done is spliced in and made it where it's on constantly. And removed my fan clutch. Getting the clutch fan off can be a chore. It's not left hand thread like the 3.0. They don't make a clutch fan tool that I have found for our trucks so what I did was hooked a ratchet strap on the frame and I one of the holes on the pulley and heated the s*** out of it with a torch and then broke it loose with a crescent wrench

those secondary e-fans only came on AC equipped models. my tuck doesnt have AC so it only has the mechanical fan, i need a taurus e-fan to swap in

[nathan01xl]

Fuel update from yesterdays fill up:

Averaged 41 mpg on my last tank of ethanol free gas with updated aero mods and new synth diff fuild. Really pleased with my progress and know that there is more left.

I really want to put in an underbelly tray, wheel covers, exhaust, roll pan, and an electric fan. Hopefully those mods will get me over 40mpg at 60 mph, which is my next goal. I am currently averaging around 34 mpgs when cruising at 60 mph. most of my highway driving is done around 50-55 which adds about 10-15 minutes to my commute everyday and is starting to annoy me lol

[nathan01xl]

Just made a deal with a guy for some lowering control arms and drop shocks, so i should be 2 inches lower all around once i get it all installed (4 front, 5 rear total). Expecting to see a bit of improvement mpg wise, just a bit nervous about my tires rubbing.

[Fastskiguy]

Love to hear if dropping it helps....I've got an F150 that could be lower so I'm interested in what you find