Sad about good MPG

[cosmick]

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.

[MetroMPG]

Welcome to the forum!

Keep us posted on your progress.

[elhigh]

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."

[cosmick]

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.

[Daox]

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

[cosmick]

Thank you.
Here's my 4" airdam.

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.

[cosmick]

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.

[cosmick]

Now averaging 31.77 MPG

[cosmick]

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.

[ksa8907]

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!