1996 2.3 XLT MPG run today

[Bigvman54]

I had some wheel bearings replaced last week, cleaned out the interior over the weekend so decided to do an mpg check today. I also just finished running a tank of gas with Redline fuel system cleaner in it. It probably wasn't the best day to check it, high winds in the Central Kentucky area, 30+ mph so I'm sure it's not as accurate as it could be, probably negatively so. But, drove almost 60 miles, mostly rural highway driving with just a few stoplights to interfere a little. XLT super cab 2 wheel drive 5 speed manual 2.3 liter, about 250,000 miles on it. Got a respectable 28 mpg. And on a calmer day without the high winds I think that could be 30. Not too shabby.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Not sure how you managed that, probably don't have 4.10's like I do My '97 is nearly identical (even at 244k) and on a good tank it will manage right at 25mpg but my daily schenanigans averages in the 23mpg range which still beats my V8 Explorer that was 16mpg on average... that said I imagine the maintenance before I got it was questionable judging on a few things...
'
I've only done a couple long trips on this thing though and I had more aggressive tires at that point, I drove 1800 miles in a weekend once and averaged 22mpg almost all freeway at 73mph or thereabouts...

I still like the silly thing, it does everything I'd hoped for

Back in the day my '90 would do 28mpg, I miss those days, it's 16mpg now with the turbo and tall tires and such...

 

[97RangerXLT]

The big city of Lawrenceburg... I have family that lives there. Welcome to the Ranger station!

AJ

 

[Bigvman54]

Not sure how you managed that, probably don't have 4.10's like I do My '97 is nearly identical (even at 244k) and on a good tank it will manage right at 25mpg but my daily schenanigans averages in the 23mpg range which still beats my V8 Explorer that was 16mpg on average... that said I imagine the maintenance before I got it was questionable judging on a few things...
'
I've only done a couple long trips on this thing though and I had more aggressive tires at that point, I drove 1800 miles in a weekend once and averaged 22mpg almost all freeway at 73mph or thereabouts...

I still like the silly thing, it does everything I'd hoped for

Back in the day my '90 would do 28mpg, I miss those days, it's 16mpg now with the turbo and tall tires and such...

Mine, if I remember correctly, is 3.73 rear end, though I'd love to have the 3.27. I do mostly commuting in mine, very little hauling anything heavy and no towing, so having it geared for highway cruising would be fine for me. I also have a pretty light foot, always have. I bought it new so I know EVERYTHING that's been done to it. I've kept it pretty mechanically sound, but outside of just basic maintenance and consumables (tires, oil, etc), I've surprisingly have had to spend very little on it over almost 30 years. Had some wheel bearings replaced the other day and told my mechanic I'm hoping to get at least another 100,000 out of her. Fingers crossed!

 

[Bigvman54]

The big city of Lawrenceburg... I have family that lives there. Welcome to the Ranger station!

AJ

Love it here. Ands there's probably a better chance than not that I know them.

 

[scotts90ranger]

My commute is 30 miles each way and goes through 3 small cities and has several elevation changes (one hill that's pretty steep, 1/2 mile at WOT 4th gear to hold 55-60, WOT isn't necessary but doesn't matter either...). I've toyed with tire size to try to play with the effective ratio some and it didn't seem to care too much... but I've stayed within the 27-29" tire range to keep it around 3k at 70mph with little change but the biggest increase was with car tread instead of all season. On my '90 I had 25" tires and 3.08 gears which I'm curious of trying, I do have an axle with that ratio on hand would just need some short tires...

It's a good era of Ranger for sure, if you're getting that mileage now you should be able to get another 100k out of it.

If you do have any issues, the people here will try to keep you going, I'm one of the few Lima engine guys left but there's lots of knowledge around...

 

[97RangerXLT]

Love it here. Ands there's probably a better chance than not that I know them.

yeah it is a nice little town. Frankfort/ Lexington/ and Louisville are all a fairly easy drive away if you want city stuff/ entertainment. my parents moved there from IL in 2012, so not true natives... Sister has been there since 2010ish or there abouts.

AJ

 

[Bigvman54]

I moved here in 2003 but most everyone pretty much thinks of me now as a native Anderson Countian.

 

[Bill]

You aren't getting 30 mpg with a 2.3 Lima, and 60 miles is not enough to check fuel economy.

 

[Bigvman54]

You aren't getting 30 mpg with a 2.3 Lima, and 60 miles is not enough to check fuel economy.

60 is enough to get a pretty darn good idea. Can I get 30? I believe in the right conditions I can. What makes you think it can't? And I'm not talking average here, I'm talking a mostly highway trip going 55-60 mph.Of course no one is going to average 30 mpg in town or combined driving. But specific trips trying to get good mpg, yeah I can get pretty good.

 

[bobbywalter]

lowered 2wd can get 30. just depends on terrain.

considering the ford target goal is 21-22 mpg average based on 19 mpg city and 24 hiway... i would say your doing good with that well worn critter.

do you change timing belts at 70-100k? or just let em pop?


anything over 22mpg is a win.

 

[Bigvman54]

lowered 2wd can get 30. just depends on terrain.

considering the ford target goal is 21-22 mpg average based on 19 mpg city and 24 hiway... i would say your doing good with that well worn critter.

do you change timing belts at 70-100k? or just let em pop?


anything over 22mpg is a win.

I had the timing belt changed... probably 6-7 years ago I'm thinking? Well past the time I should have, but it hung in there. It was probably hanging on by a thread, literally. I had one pop on me in a 1995 Contour I had. I guess that model had a non interference engine as it didn't do any damage to it. I miss that car, wish I still had it. 5 speed, handled like it was on rails, routinely got high 30's in gas milage and got 40 on a couple of different trips. Cheap to maintain too. I'm 6'5, about 300 lbs (need to lose about 30) but I've always liked smaller, gas effecicent cars/trucks. I could climb into that Contour and it fit me like a pilot in a fighter jet.