Go Back   EcoModder Forum > Introductions
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 08-18-2014, 11:49 AM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 4

blue zr2 - '02 Chevrolet S10 ZR2
90 day: 17.4 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post
Hi, new pickup driver from Kansas

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!

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 08-18-2014, 12:36 PM   #2 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203

CM400E - '81 Honda CM400E
90 day: 51.49 mpg (US)

Daox's Grey Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 49.53 mpg (US)

Daox's Insight - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 64.33 mpg (US)

Swarthy - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
Mitsubishi
90 day: 56.69 mpg (US)

Daox's Volt - '13 Chevrolet Volt
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,585 Times in 1,553 Posts
Welcome to the site ksguy. Sounds like you got some good plans for the S10. It'll be cool to see them.
__________________
Current project: A better alternator delete
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2014, 04:18 PM   #3 (permalink)
herp derp Apprentice
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 1,049

Saturn-sold - '99 saturn sc1
Team Saturn
90 day: 28.28 mpg (US)

Yukon - '03 GMC Yukon Denali
90 day: 13.74 mpg (US)
Thanks: 43
Thanked 331 Times in 233 Posts
Hi ksguy, I'm a new guy in a different way, just moved to Lawrence a couple weeks ago
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2014, 11:33 AM   #4 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 4

blue zr2 - '02 Chevrolet S10 ZR2
90 day: 17.4 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post
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.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2014, 01:03 PM   #5 (permalink)
herp derp Apprentice
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 1,049

Saturn-sold - '99 saturn sc1
Team Saturn
90 day: 28.28 mpg (US)

Yukon - '03 GMC Yukon Denali
90 day: 13.74 mpg (US)
Thanks: 43
Thanked 331 Times in 233 Posts
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?
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2014, 01:04 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 447

Valerie - '03 Honda Civic DX
Team Honda
90 day: 55.79 mpg (US)
Thanks: 277
Thanked 231 Times in 105 Posts
Welcome to ecomodder! I look forward to seeing your mods. Make sure you post photos when you're finished!
__________________

  Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2014, 09:53 PM   #7 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: White Lake, MI
Posts: 9
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2014, 10:05 PM   #8 (permalink)
(:
 
Frank Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 12,762

Blue - '93 Ford Tempo
Last 3: 27.29 mpg (US)

F150 - '94 Ford F150 XLT 4x4
90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

Sport Coupe - '92 Ford Tempo GL
Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

ShWing! - '82 honda gold wing Interstate
90 day: 33.65 mpg (US)

Moon Unit - '98 Mercury Sable LX Wagon
90 day: 21.24 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,585
Thanked 3,555 Times in 2,218 Posts
Is there something wrong with that truck? A lil S10 should do a LOT better than a full-size V8 4x4.
__________________


  Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2014, 12:43 AM   #9 (permalink)
It's all about Diesel
 
cRiPpLe_rOoStEr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Posts: 12,548
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1,622 Times in 1,447 Posts
Before getting into mods, you should start looking at the maintenance of your truck and your driving habits.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2014, 12:48 AM   #10 (permalink)
herp derp Apprentice
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 1,049

Saturn-sold - '99 saturn sc1
Team Saturn
90 day: 28.28 mpg (US)

Yukon - '03 GMC Yukon Denali
90 day: 13.74 mpg (US)
Thanks: 43
Thanked 331 Times in 233 Posts
Close.... '02 4wd s10s w auto were rated 14 city, the '02 full size 4wd w/ v8 you could get with 13city

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com