Any reason why I was getting 10.7mpg?

[baxtej44]

1988 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4


had the hubs locked, and 210 pounds of sand in the back.


took those out today (first nice day in a while.. think we are finally done w/ winter here)


how much should i expect to increase?
the truck has 84k miles on it

 

[metalmacguyver]

Unknown.

Are your tires up to pressure? Got a fresh air filter? Spark plugs? General tune up to keep it running well and efficiently?

 

[baxtej44]

Unknown.

Are your tires up to pressure? Got a fresh air filter? Spark plugs? General tune up to keep it running well and efficiently?

tires might be able to use some

checked air filter today, and it's barely dirty, got one mid-summer last year.


been in to an auto shop way too many times for multiple things... they love to find everything they can to charge me to fix, so i'd assume everything is at least alright...


i'm no genious with automobiles.. what can i myself look at with the spark plugs? (need DETAILED information... because, well i already told you, i'm retarded with trucks/cars)

 

[AllanD]

If I was getting as bad as 10.4 on my 4.10 geared 4.0 supercab
I'd either be tearing it apart to find our why......

OR

I'd be setting it on fire and guarding it against the fire department
with a shotgun until they got a priest to bless the water in their
pumper truck so that the fire could be extinguished with holy water.

On a 2.9? I'm not sure I wouldn't set it on fire as a first step.

AD

 

[Shran]

I was getting right around 10 highway in my '88 until I replaced my coolant temp sensor. After that I was right back up to 21 on the highway.

 

[naford]

Could be brakes dragging.

 

[feellnfroggy]

just unlocking the hubs alone will net you a nice 5mpg increase. The parasitic drivetrain loss is almost double when the hubs are locked. Power is being sent to the rears still but that power is having to push the sprung weight and the unsprung weight. The wheel has a certain amount of rolling resistance, but when you lock the hubs and now have to turn not only the wheel but the remaining drivetrain components of the front driveline, centrifugal force becomes a real b*tch.

I think you'll go back up to around 17-20 mpg depending on your driving. More on the highway.

 

[Hahnsb2]

just unlocking the hubs alone will net you a nice 5mpg increase. The parasitic drivetrain loss is almost double when the hubs are locked.

No it's not, there is maybe a 1MPG loss. Ranger's fuel economy didn't drop 5MPG when they switched to live axle

 

[Will]

Froggy confused me.

How sure are you of your mileage? That's pretty bad. I'd be looking for something like what Shran said.

 

[metalmacguyver]

I'd be setting it on fire and guarding it against the fire department
with a shotgun until they got a priest to bless the water in their
pumper truck so that the fire could be extinguished with holy water.

Allen, you crack me up. How do you come up with this stuff. You should be a stand up comedian.....

 

[Mechanickid]

Is it an auto? My 88 ranger ex.cab with a 5 speed,2.9,4x4 and stock tires gets 22 highway.

 

[Mark_88]

I'd say a combination of the extra weight and the constant 4x4...as an example, I can get close to 400 Km out of my Zuki with a 40 litre tank...if I lock the hubs and drive I can see the gas gauge dropping by the minute...no word of a lie...don't know whether it's those parasites or if the engine just works harder with two extra wheels to turn...but it is quite noticeable on my truck...

Could also be the other factors that others have already mentioned...air pressure, tune-up and air filter may also be in order...let us know!

 

[baxtej44]

If I was getting as bad as 10.4 on my 4.10 geared 4.0 supercab
I'd either be tearing it apart to find our why......

OR

I'd be setting it on fire and guarding it against the fire department
with a shotgun until they got a priest to bless the water in their
pumper truck so that the fire could be extinguished with holy water.

On a 2.9? I'm not sure I wouldn't set it on fire as a first step.

AD

I see what you're sayign, but it's not an option lol

I was getting right around 10 highway in my '88 until I replaced my coolant temp sensor. After that I was right back up to 21 on the highway.

What does that entail?

Could be brakes dragging.

How can i know?

Froggy confused me.

How sure are you of your mileage? That's pretty bad. I'd be looking for something like what Shran said.

I divided the gas i put in, by the miles i had driven. Two occassions I did this

Is it an auto? My 88 ranger ex.cab with a 5 speed,2.9,4x4 and stock tires gets 22 highway.

Yes automatic trans

 

[Shran]

What does that entail?

Unplugging the harness connector from the sensor, removing the sensor from the intake manifold, installing new sensor, reconnecting wires.

If I remember right all you need is a deep well socket, ratchet, extension, and teflon tape. It literally takes about 2 minutes.

 

[baxtej44]

Unplugging the harness connector from the sensor, removing the sensor from the intake manifold, installing new sensor, reconnecting wires.

If I remember right all you need is a deep well socket, ratchet, extension, and teflon tape. It literally takes about 2 minutes.

lol well how would i know if something is wrong?

and ya... sounds like you're speaking german to me.. anyway, any links out there that can explain that.. with pictures and such?