Sad about good MPG
 

So I was in a bind, and settled for yet another 2WD Chevrolet S-10 pickup, not my first. It's a red '87 standard cab short box with the only option being power brakes. Not even overdrive.
I replaced the shell with a plywood tonneau, and averaged 27.6 MPG. So I went hunting a good used airdam, ended up fabbing my own. Now up to 30.4 MPG. Now I just ordered 3" drop blocks for the rear, because of the black '89 I had. My blue '89 did 35 MPG, so that's my first target. Blue had a 5-speed however.
Sad is because I was having ideas about a high-pinion Dana 44 SFA conversion ( to 4WD )
The plan since I got it was a Ford Explorer rear axle, and a 2001 GM 4.8L V8.
Currently red has a 3.42:1 axle, and I changed the lube there and in the trans with 75W90 synthetic the day after I got red. I think a 2.73:1 axle by itself would get me to 35, but the Explorer axle only goes down to 3.08:1. I know I can swap 2.73:1 into that, but then I'd have no towing. It barely tows anything now.
Right now it's on 205/70R14s on 6s. The 2WD plan was 245/45R17x8.5s. But for this winter I have some 225/60R15s on 7s. Sure to hurt, but comparable to what blue was on.

Welcome to the forum!

Keep us posted on your progress.

Welcome, Cos.

You appear to be one of those cheerfully experimental shadetree mechanics, surrounded by parts and the patient of the moment, bolting together the next mutt.

Onlooker: "What kinda car did this part come off of?" (Holding up random oily bits)
You: "I dunno, but it's goin' in."

Post 2 toward posting my pics:
Thanks, I do experiment, and I do mix-n-match.
I just tried to show my airdam, and show how tail-high it sits on the original springs, but it seems I need 5 posts. That's extremely stupid.

It keeps the spammers out. I've bumped your post count up so you can post images now.

Thank you.
Here's my 4" airdam.
http://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/...ps70d435a1.jpg
Under $ 20 to go from a best of 27.6 MPG to a 2-tank average of 29.1
Now the 3" rear drop blocks, $ 40.
And the tonneau was under $ 60. So much for the low-hanging fruit.
http://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7fa6f780.jpg

http://i1316.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0cc8e64e.jpg

35.95 mpg! Surprised me.
So much for the near-free mods.
Next up, a 3.08:1 axle will be $ 118, and speedometer correction adds $ 62.
The math says that will get me to 40 MPG, but I'm skeptical.
It'll have to wait until I get a second tankful of miles on this configuration.

Now averaging 31.77 MPG

Found a 3.08:1-geared axle in a Ford Explorer for $ 125, hoping to go get it tomorrow. Already have wheels and tires for it, just ordered a conversion U-joint.

I always liked that body style s10, the other was the model year 200x gmc sonoma quad cab.

Thats impressive you're getting that kind of mileage!