Has anyone been able to get 25 mpg's out of a 2.9l ranger?

[jhammel85]

"Mike Tonon",

I have some information for you today but it will be changing. I have a 1987 4WD Ranger 2.9l 5speed manual, reg. cab long bed with a 3" body lift and the Ford Hi-Ryder factory suspension lift with dual James Duff 70/30 in front and single 70/30's in the rear, completely stock engine with the following bolt-ons;

1) Thermostat controlled electric fan
2) Accell 300+ digital ignition
3) K+N air filter
4) All synthetic lubes
5) JBA headers
6) 2.25" stainless steel (SS) tubing
7) Borla SS turbo muffler
8) Ford LS4:10 front/rear
9) 32x11.5-15 all terrain tires
10) Hypertech computer chip
11) Oil cooler with thermostat controlled bypass

This truck gets 28mpg on the highway (I don't drive faster than traffic, usually 65 or less) and between 22-24mpg in town (driving like an absolute maniac). It has 133k on it and is now undrivable due to the cracked head on the passenger side.

I am installing a refurbed set of heads. I am going to add a performance valve job, hi-lift rockers, Aluminum spacers on the rocker shafts and mill the heads .025".

I will report the changes in mpg and driving characteristics.

Of all the bolt-ons the electric fan, exhaust and air filter made the largest improvements in gas mileage. When I have more time I will be rebuilding a bottom end for torque and having the heads/intakes port/polished for the same. I hope this gives you a reason to hang in there. I believe over 30mpg highway is possible and will be the result of a complete engine build with BALANCE and TORQUE as the priorities.

Thats a hell of a set up!

Love seeing someone put this amount of effort into a 2.9. You plan on doing a build thread?

 

[gaz]

"jhammel85",

I have completed one build, I wouldn't mind drafting up a thread on it. I did a complete 2.9l for my wife's 1987 BII 4WD just over 2 years ago. I did nearly everything listed in Sven's book. It runs umbelievable. I kept the cost as low as possible, reduced the weight where I could and in the end it was worth way more than the time and effort envolved.

I am currently getting my 1987 Ranger 4WD back on the road but will be performing a complete rebuild on a spare 2.9l block, over this winter. The BII build was a little more than mild on the cam/porting/valve job, so with this one I am going for torque. I will be using different valves and springs, other than that the parts choices for the BII build were spot on. I am open to input on the Ranger build, right now it looks like Dynacam is loosing my business and the new guy is looking tasty.

I have almost all of the part numbers, where they were sourced and the differences from stock (ei: weight, cost, material).

 

[hondarider552]

Just managed 23mpg out of my 2.9 with 170k on it, auto trans, 3.45 rear end, reg cab long bed 2wd with some weight reductions, autozone intake and exhaust mods, and a can of BG44k in every 3rd tank. mixed driving, mainly to school and back goin 60mph or less. tires are 195/75/14.

 

[Mike Tonon]

"Mike Tonon",

I have some information for you today but it will be changing. I have a 1987 4WD Ranger 2.9l 5speed manual, reg. cab long bed with a 3" body lift and the Ford Hi-Ryder factory suspension lift with dual James Duff 70/30 in front and single 70/30's in the rear, completely stock engine with the following bolt-ons;

1) Thermostat controlled electric fan
2) Accell 300+ digital ignition
3) K+N air filter
4) All synthetic lubes
5) JBA headers
6) 2.25" stainless steel (SS) tubing
7) Borla SS turbo muffler
8) Ford LS4:10 front/rear
9) 32x11.5-15 all terrain tires
10) Hypertech computer chip
11) Oil cooler with thermostat controlled bypass

This truck gets 28mpg on the highway (I don't drive faster than traffic, usually 65 or less) and between 22-24mpg in town (driving like an absolute maniac). It has 133k on it and is now undrivable due to the cracked head on the passenger side.

I am installing a refurbed set of heads. I am going to add a performance valve job, hi-lift rockers, Aluminum spacers on the rocker shafts and mill the heads .025".

I will report the changes in mpg and driving characteristics.

Of all the bolt-ons the electric fan, exhaust and air filter made the largest improvements in gas mileage. When I have more time I will be rebuilding a bottom end for torque and having the heads/intakes port/polished for the same. I hope this gives you a reason to hang in there. I believe over 30mpg highway is possible and will be the result of a complete engine build with BALANCE and TORQUE as the priorities.

You should make some videos on this. Sounds like you know your stuff with the 2.9l and it would be cool to see what you've done and hear your 2.9l run.

 

[gaz]

Great idea

I get it Mike, your are suggesting validity. I like your attitude. I will see what I can do, as that is the correct path.