aerodynamic drag on 1st gen Rangers

[OilPatch197]

I find if I drive around 53 mph I get the best fuel economy. Now I have always thought of the 1st Generation Rangers as "SQUARE BRICKS" in the aerodynamic department.

Anyone know of the drag coefficient of first gen Rangers?

I'm trying to calculate drag to dertmine my most efficient speed. There is a list of cars with Drag coefficients on wikipedia, I supose a drag coefficient for a 2gen would work also.

 

[ZMan]

thats funny because one of my uncles drivers claims his Semi gets the best fuel economy at 53mph also.

I'm fairly certain a first gen might only be slightly (barely noticable) different than a 2nd gen in the drag department. For the most part it would be just the grill making the difference, the windshields have the same rake to them.

 

[Nipplechops]

Remember that the "A" represents "effective" frontal area, which you will have to incorporate the rake angle of the winshield to calculate properly. Also, you will have to incorporate the rake angle of the entire truck if you want to get the greatest accuracy.

 

[RobbieD]

Interesting observation . . . thanks. I'm also curious about the drag coefficient of early Rangers, but have never found any actual figures.

Seems to me, if you were looking at ways to "clean up the old brick" to cheat a few more MPGs, that running skinny tires and exchanging the swing-away rear view mirrors for close-mounted units would be the easiest modifications for the best return benefits.

Gas is fortunately cheap now, but in time it'll be back up. Based on using an early Ranger as a commuting vehicle, any other ideas out there on squeezing the gas budget?

 

[OilPatch197]

http://insideracingtechnology.com/tech102drag.htm

some examples of shapes, but the shapes don't take account the size of the shape, meh I think I'll forget about calculating this equation.

Yeah skinny tires and the mirrors I agree, but perhaps the best thing I can think of is a wrap around front bumper(as seen in pimp-my-ride) to reduce bottom vehicle drag and perhaps a aerodynamic bugshield.

 

[rangerbum]

I know my 3rd gen windshield is probably the weak point in aerodynamics. Its really the only thing I dont like, is how steep it is. But it does help keep deep snow off of it.