Trying to rehabilitate my truck from its currently areo handicapped state

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Demonic_Bloodfeind

ANY OTHER LOW COST MID-RANGE COST IDEAS OUT THERE??

Driving slower will negate some of the bad aerodynamics.

Add in a grille block, and reduce the amount of air going into the engine compartment.
Obviously, keep an eye on coolant temperature when you first do this mod.

155F coolant temp seems very low. Is your thermostat OK ?
All vehicles I've ever driven, had the temp needle in the mid-position as the normal position.

[3-Wheeler]

Hi,

At the start of the thread, you mentioned that the "Ford box" weighs somewhere between 250 and 300 lbs. That's a lot of weight to haul around. It hurts Crr (rolling resistance) and costs more each time the truck is accelerated due to the higher mass.

Any way used to reduce this mass would help your fuel mileage.

As mentioned previously, the water temperature should run closer to 200F or so, as this helps the thermal efficiency of the running engine.

None of the posts so far have mentioned how the truck is driven, i.e. highway, in-town, and so on. It might make sense to optimize the truck for the type of driving that you do the most often. If it's highway, then focus more on aero improvements. If town, then pay more attention to the rolling weight of the truck.

As mentioned, keeping the engine rpm's lower will really help. That's how the motorcycles in Craig Vetter's high mileage contest were able to get almost 500 mpg back in 1985! Gearing and body aero shape.

Jim.

[Demonic_Bloodfeind]

Ok I know the temp is low and it is due to a cooler thermostat so thats a good idea
Unfortunately I cannot reduce weight I'm going to have to put more in as l have more equipment to haul starting DEC.
Truck is driven every where from mountain back roads to hours on the freeway all the time so hard to set where I drive the most.
Ive thought about doing the tranny swap with the r700 but not sure how much power I would lose rear gears are also an option.

Something I've been thinking about was plexi from front of steel bumper to top of grill with a few holes drilled into it or a slat to eliminate the box front end aerodynamics but keep some air flow to the radiator and air intake.

Btw I am not going to put a diesel in it EVER just saying.
Ive begun to drive a little slower and neutral coast down hills when I can ill give y'all an update on that stuff Friday but don't expect to much I've been driven pretty slow before to and coasting when I could in drive.

wow didn't notice all the mistakes on my tablet lol fixed now

[Frank Lee]

OK I won't expect much.

[Demonic_Bloodfeind]

what about 100% gas vs E10?? anyone have actual experience with this??

[Frank Lee]

Thakn yuo.

[TXwaterdog]

Perhaps a Liquid propane, CNG, NGV (Nautral gas vehicle) swap?

I'm seconding the belly pan, chin lip and areo cap/ camper delete.

On my 1988 F150 I had a camper and I'd take it off when not in use. There was a significant mpg difference. (every 100lbs = 4% gas reduction).