Better mpg's?

86ranger4x4owner · 04-07-2012, 08:40 PM

I have a 1988 ranger ext. cab 4x4 2.9l auto. It has short headers, a k&n drop in filter, electric fan, and supposely bored over .30. It also has 31'' bfg mud-terrains and a exhaust leak where the headers connect. What are some ways to get better mpg? I am thinking about maybe getting some flowmasters and a good tune up like wires, spark plugs, cap and rotor. What are some other things that would help? thanks

**basketranger** · 04-07-2012, 10:29 PM

first thing: if the 4:10 rear was original gearing then i would step to either 4:56 gears or shorter tire. muffler change, unless u just have an itch you need to scratch - would not do it. when doing next fluid change would go full synthetic. then the usual commercial crap: tire inflation, ft end alignment, etc. unless you are in cold country e-fan. drive it like grandma.
my two cents.

**4.0B2** · 04-07-2012, 11:25 PM

smaller tires.. if you do a lot of interstate

or if you must keep the 31's... get the right gear for it.
better gearing will help, just keep your speeds down at interstate speeds.

what kind of mileage are you getting now?

86ranger4x4owner · 04-08-2012, 12:25 PM

Am getting about 15 mpg in the city. So getting flowmasters and leaving the cats on and fixing the exhaust leak wouldnt let me get better mpg or power?

Hahnsb2 · 04-08-2012, 12:43 PM

15mpg city with a 2.9 auto? Whats the problem again?

RangerBoy94 · 04-08-2012, 01:10 PM

Dam I wish I could get 15 mpg in my ranger in town I get about 13 if I'm lucky and I drive like a grandma

FordRanger1991 · 04-19-2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hahnsb2

15mpg city with a 2.9 auto? Whats the problem again?

lol i agree with this guy

Gary101386 · 04-20-2012, 07:51 AM

my 2.9 i get 17-18 city and 21-23 highway... but i have a 5speed

tx3nc · 04-20-2012, 01:36 PM

Formula for MPG. Low mass + low power + drive it slow. Where are you deviating from that plan?

6.2 · 04-20-2012, 01:56 PM

City mileage will always suck. Deal with it.

Wouldn't smaller tires on highways raise RPMS?

**kryptonitecb** · 04-20-2012, 02:33 PM

Full tune up and regular maintenance is the best way to get the most out of your vehicle. Tornado intakes, straight exhaust.....dual exhaust, or any that junk you add to the gas is all just a crap shoot. You may get an extra mile or two but not enough to make a big difference. Make sure everything is in good shape, plugs, wires, filters, no leaks, then I would start messing with other stuff. Smaller tires or lower gears would help also.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

Dugan · 06-26-2012, 06:32 AM

Im having the same issue now, I drive 20miles to work each way down a highway, and I have a 5 spd 2.9 with 32" tires and Im averaging about 15~ it seems like but its hard to tell when the odometer is off.

I wish I was able to put a smaller tire on it but it has 8-9" of lift

04-07-2012, 08:40 PM	#1
86ranger4x4owner Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Year: 1986,1988 Make: Ford Model: xlt ranger, Engine: 2.3l,2.9l Class: 4x4 Used For: Shcool, Hunting, Playing around Posts: 518 Rep Power: 8 iTrader: (0)	Better mpg's? I have a 1988 ranger ext. cab 4x4 2.9l auto. It has short headers, a k&n drop in filter, electric fan, and supposely bored over .30. It also has 31'' bfg mud-terrains and a exhaust leak where the headers connect. What are some ways to get better mpg? I am thinking about maybe getting some flowmasters and a good tune up like wires, spark plugs, cap and rotor. What are some other things that would help? thanks __________________ '88 ranger ext. cab 4x4 2.9 3" inch bl 31'' bfg km2 mud-terrains. l/s 7.5'' rear with 4.10 1986 ranger reg. cab 2.3l 5 speed 4x4 stock
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04-07-2012, 10:29 PM	#2
basketranger Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas, Tx Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 3.0 Vulcan Class: 2WD Used For: Errands Posts: 183 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	first thing: if the 4:10 rear was original gearing then i would step to either 4:56 gears or shorter tire. muffler change, unless u just have an itch you need to scratch - would not do it. when doing next fluid change would go full synthetic. then the usual commercial crap: tire inflation, ft end alignment, etc. unless you are in cold country e-fan. drive it like grandma. my two cents.
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04-07-2012, 11:25 PM	#3
4.0B2 MALL CRAWLER POST WHORE! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Walls, MS Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: Bronco II Engine: 4.0 v6 Class: 4x4 Used For: Taking my Money Posts: 10,029 Rep Power: 52 iTrader: (4)	smaller tires.. if you do a lot of interstate or if you must keep the 31's... get the right gear for it. better gearing will help, just keep your speeds down at interstate speeds. what kind of mileage are you getting now? __________________ Daily Driver 88 BII Build Thread: Clicky! Backup Vehicle, 92 2wd Explorer: Clicky! The Collection of Fords: Clicky! http://southernrockracing.com/
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04-08-2012, 12:25 PM	#4
86ranger4x4owner Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Year: 1986,1988 Make: Ford Model: xlt ranger, Engine: 2.3l,2.9l Class: 4x4 Used For: Shcool, Hunting, Playing around Posts: 518 Rep Power: 8 iTrader: (0)	Am getting about 15 mpg in the city. So getting flowmasters and leaving the cats on and fixing the exhaust leak wouldnt let me get better mpg or power? __________________ '88 ranger ext. cab 4x4 2.9 3" inch bl 31'' bfg km2 mud-terrains. l/s 7.5'' rear with 4.10 1986 ranger reg. cab 2.3l 5 speed 4x4 stock Last edited by 86ranger4x4owner; 04-08-2012 at 06:34 PM.
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04-08-2012, 12:43 PM	#5
Hahnsb2 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Battle Ground WA Year: 88-95 Make: Ford-Dodge Model: BII-Dakota Engine: 4.0-5.2 Turbo Class: Real 4WD, 3WD. Used For: Going where I point it-Going fast Posts: 4,411 Rep Power: 24 iTrader: (1)	15mpg city with a 2.9 auto? Whats the problem again? __________________ 88 Bronco II, 4.0L, M5OD, 4.56s, Aussie Locked 8.8/D35, 1354M, 34" LTBs 95 Dakota CC, 5.2, 5 Spd, 2WD,Turbo, Megasquirt, 3.55s, Locked
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04-08-2012, 01:10 PM	#6
RangerBoy94 Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Northern California Year: 1968 Make: Ford Model: F-250 Ranger Camper Special Engine: 360CDI Class: 2wd Used For: Never Ending Project Posts: 1,432 Rep Power: 11 iTrader: (3)	Dam I wish I could get 15 mpg in my ranger in town I get about 13 if I'm lucky and I drive like a grandma
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04-20-2012, 07:51 AM	#8
Gary101386 Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oswego IL Year: 1989 Make: Ford Model: Ranger STX Engine: 2.9 Class: 4x4 Used For: Everything! Posts: 277 Rep Power: 4 iTrader: (0)	my 2.9 i get 17-18 city and 21-23 highway... but i have a 5speed
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04-20-2012, 01:36 PM	#9
tx3nc Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 3.0L V6 Class: 2WD Street Posts: 115 Rep Power: 4 iTrader: (0)	Formula for MPG. Low mass + low power + drive it slow. Where are you deviating from that plan?
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04-20-2012, 01:56 PM	#10
6.2 Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Year: 2006 Make: Ford Model: Ranger FX4 LevelII Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: DD/Offroad Posts: 490 Rep Power: 6 iTrader: (0)	City mileage will always suck. Deal with it. Wouldn't smaller tires on highways raise RPMS?
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04-20-2012, 02:33 PM	#11
kryptonitecb Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: daily driver, trail ready Posts: 1,004 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	Full tune up and regular maintenance is the best way to get the most out of your vehicle. Tornado intakes, straight exhaust.....dual exhaust, or any that junk you add to the gas is all just a crap shoot. You may get an extra mile or two but not enough to make a big difference. Make sure everything is in good shape, plugs, wires, filters, no leaks, then I would start messing with other stuff. Smaller tires or lower gears would help also. Sent from road while ignoring traffic
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06-26-2012, 06:32 AM	#12
Dugan Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Southampton, NJ Year: 1989, 1949 Make: Ford, IH Model: Ranger, KB-1 Engine: 2.9L, 355 SBC Class: 4x4, Neighborhood Tormenting Used For: DD & FUN Posts: 466 Rep Power: 3 iTrader: (0)	Im having the same issue now, I drive 20miles to work each way down a highway, and I have a 5 spd 2.9 with 32" tires and Im averaging about 15~ it seems like but its hard to tell when the odometer is off. I wish I was able to put a smaller tire on it but it has 8-9" of lift __________________ 89' Ranger 2.9L 5 Spd 4.56s Locked Frt/Rear 6" Long Arm Lift 3" Body 35x12.5 MT/R BUILD -=- AHG Performance -=- South Jersey SwampAss 4x4 Club Monster Mazda B4000 Build
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