Project: 25mpg 4x4 4.0L 1997 Ford Ranger

[4ringcircus]

Starting with some aerodynamic mods. I made a tonneau cover out of vinyl and had plenty left over. I decided to use the vinyl to make a belly pan that could stretch over the TTB (Ford's front independent 4x4 axle) . This allows the TTB to flex. Took a great deal of sewing and patience, but it wraps up around the wheel wells and around all the suspension bits. Here are the pics:
from the front....


wrapping around the wheel (passenger side)....


from the back....

[4ringcircus]

Today's post is on an mod I did a while back. I need to post again because I am having some electrical problems. A few years ago I converted my AC pump electric clutch to attach to my power steering. This mod was good for about 1mpg. I put up a thread on it here: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ing-14952.html

I tapped power from the power window's relay. It has worked fine for years, but just a few weeks ago it blew the 10amp fuse on the power window relay circuit. I replaced the fuse and it immediately re-burned the fuse when I operated the switch. My hope is something is wrong with the switch, so I'll try a different one and test it again. My fear is something worse is happening as I burned out a headlight last month and another last week

Aside from my electrical ineptitude, the mechanics of the project work great. Here are a few pics:
...the finished product....

....this is the front of my AC unit. The electric clutch is designed to fit on this part, so I simply cut it off....

.... and attached it to the bracket that holds the power steering unit.

Then I threaded the inside of the power steering shaft

.... enabling me to bolt on the spring plate

[radioranger]

Got to give you credit good work , real inventiveness there,

[c_silva88]

anther way to squeeze some mpgs out of the 4.0 is to convert the cooling fan to electrical one out of early 90's taurus are basically bolt in when i did the swap on my old ranger i got another 1mpg and are cheap i payed 15$ at a local junk yard. as far as gearing in the axles go they came with gears as high as 3.27s but the best all around gears ive found 3.55s are perfect. i don't know how mechanically inclined you are or how far you want to dig into the truck but the second generation rangers with the 2.9s had different gearing in 1st 2nd and 3rd while retaining the same 4th and 5th gear ratios.i had swapped one into my truck and having the lower first 3 gears helped boost my city mpg.

[4ringcircus]

Thanks c_silva88. I just fixed my electric power steering; the switch had gone bad. I think the term is 'arching'. Anyway, I love the idea of putting in an e-fan. I don't have one yet, but I've read on ecomodder that some on here go without the fan altogether in the winter. I have a quality after-market temp gauge installed, so I can monitor the engine for safety. I'm going to pull mine sometime soon and give it a try.

[c_silva88]

no problem if you need any advice or help fixing any thing check out therangerstation.com im a member over there its the best forum for rangers ive found with tons of information and how to

[bestclimb]

I see you have a vac gauge, which is good. An Ultra gauge is better. Have you thought about doing an aero camper shell?

[4ringcircus]

I've given a little thought to an aero shell, but I don't like the look. I currently have a tonneau that I've made. As for other aero improvements, I plan on grille shutters. I might do a full belly pan, something at the end of the tailgate and something behind the top of the cab.

[4ringcircus]

I took out the radiator fan a week ago. Initial results are about 1mpg improvement. I've been monitoring the engine temp with an aftermarket temp gauge hooked up at the thermostat The truck heats up faster and runs around 160 to 180 in this cold. That's probably up a few degrees from where it would be with the fan, but I'm surprised how well it cools itself driving 45mph down the highway. Makes me wish I had yanked the fan years ago! I'll see how hot it gets when the summer gets here~ might either have to put the fan back on or do the electric fan conversion.

[Frank Lee]

I yanked the F150's fan years ago with the intent of adding an e-fan... still has no fan...