'92 Ranger, 2.3, 5-speed-4th or 5th for FE?

[fud2468]

I was wondering about this: my Ranger feels like it's lugging too much in 5th below 60 mph. I don't want to drive that fast, especially in a headwind. I make back road trips where there's little traffic and so I can slow down as much as I want. There are times on these trips where I could slow down to 35 to 45 mph if I wanted, without getting in anyone's way.
Could I get better FE in 4th gear at these speeds rather than at a higher speed in 5th?
Ray Mac.

[nascarnation]

Lugging is actually good for fuel economy because you're running higher throttle opening and lowering pumping loss.
My bet is that 5th is significantly better for cruising.

If you can't borrow a scangauge to confirm, and you have a consistent driving pattern, try a tankfull with 5th, then one with 4th, then one with 5th and one with 4th. If one gear is clearly better, that should show it.

[cfg83]

fud2468 -

In my car, my 5th gear "lugline" is at about 25 MPH on the flat. I have no lug-effect at 60 MPH on the flat, but my ability to accelerate is glacial-slow. When you say "5th below 60 mph", are you going uphill?

Hmmmm. I quess a headwind could "approximate" an uphill. If I am going up a hill that is only "kind of" steep, I sometimes need to downshift to 4th because I have lost too much speed. It depends on the context. I only use my 4th gear for freeway onramp acceleration, getting over "too steep" hills, and emergency maneuvering.

Also, a 1992 Ranger would have a bigger aero-penalty than me.

CarloSW2

[bikin' Ed]

I had the same truck--in Mazda trim. If you are lugging in 5th, and over 45mph, I'd guess that you have some other problem. You might check brakes dragging, timing and tune up stuff in general, and tire inflation. With everything working properly, I can guarantee better highway FE in 5th rather than in 4th.

[Daox]

The guys are right on. There is really no such thing as 'working an engine too hard'. A larger throttle opening nearly always improves engine efficiency. 5th gear is your friend.

[Big Dave]

I'm with everyone else. Use fifth. If you need to accelerate stab the clutch and yank the lever.

My diesel runs well at incredibly low RPM in sixth.

[bhazard]

In my experience with 2.3's (My tbird and my dads ranger) they do not like low rpms at all. However Ive not seen any problem using fifth gear over, say, 40-45 mph. Anything under 1500 rpms and it lugs so bad itll rattle the fillings out of your rotten hillbilly teeth. This cant be good for the engine itself, whatever gains in mpg are probably offset in turning your main bearings to dust.

My festiva however has no problem running fifth at 1000 rpms/25 mph. If I could just cruise a whole tank of gas at 25 mph and see what mpg I get...

[lovemysan]

Originally Posted by bhazard

In my experience with 2.3's (My tbird and my dads ranger) they do not like low rpms at all. However Ive not seen any problem using fifth gear over, say, 40-45 mph. Anything under 1500 rpms and it lugs so bad itll rattle the fillings out of your rotten hillbilly teeth. This cant be good for the engine itself, whatever gains in mpg are probably offset in turning your main bearings to dust.

My festiva however has no problem running fifth at 1000 rpms/25 mph. If I could just cruise a whole tank of gas at 25 mph and see what mpg I get...

He's right, its not pleasant to drive ranger under 35 mph in 5th. I've put many miles on my dads 1990 2.3/5spd. There is 4 miles of 25 mph park to get to there house. I always find myself pulsing between 25-35mph. Any small incline defeats it. It might be a good vehicle to try P & G. My opinion on lugging is simple. If it feels bad, it probably is!