Looking for better towing performance and fuel mileage

[krazyafterall]

I have a 2007 ranger sport with a 3.0 and a 5 speef manual. i'd like some ideas from you guys about ways I can increase the fuel mileage and performace of my truck. I have a budget of $1500 and my final goal is to make towing my jet ski and motorcycle a more enjoyable experience.

 

[James86]

I suppose I could say trade your 3.0 for a 4.0 SOHC and use the $1500 to pay any difference, which is probably what a lot of people would say. I'm curious first off what gears your 3.0 has.

 

[JohnnyO]

My first Ranger was a 3.0 5-speed 4x4 with 3.73 gears. Slow as molasses but good on gas for a 4x4. I also bought my jetski while I had it. Since yours is a 4x2 it probably has 3.55 or 3.73 gears. Upgrading to 4.10's would be the best thing you could do. A cat-back exhaust will help a little but the 3.0 will never be a powerhouse no matter what you do.

 

[James86]

...Since yours is a 4x2 it probably has 3.55 or 3.73 gears. Upgrading to 4.10's would be the best thing you could do. A cat-back exhaust will help a little but the 3.0 will never be a powerhouse no matter what you do.

I have 4.10 gears in my auto equipped one and its quite a difference compared to the father in laws 5 speed, which based on what I've seen posted here by others, likely has 3.73's. I also agree on the cat-back suggestion. While it won't make a night and day difference, I did notice an improvement in my truck going to a 2.5" exhaust with a flowmaster. If yours is a flex fuel like mine, you could always try E85 and see if you like it. The manual for my year points out a 9HP an 11lb. ft. increase if I recall correctly. Since I've tried both for a period of time and the prices are comparable, I have stuck with E85. Afterall, how else can you get a factory guaranteed increase in HP? lol

 

[Tractor Dan]

I say going for the 4.10's is your best option. Atleast based off of my experience. My 97 was stock with a 7.5 and 3.73's. I had to switch to the 4.10's after i put my 31 inch tires on but i did notice a difference in towing performance. Mine is a 3.0 and 4x2. Automatic. Also if you are looking for a bit more engine performance i know some will say redoing your intake duct work and putting a cone filter on won't improve anything but i done it on mine and it seemed to work better. I had about $100 in it doing it myself without a kit. I guess i should get around to posting a thread about it. I'll try todya or tomorrow to do that. If i do i'll link you to it. One word of advice when it comes to changing gears. If you swap the whole rear end and do it yourself expect the unexpected. Especially if it's your first rodeo like it was for me.

 

[stmitch]

Switching to 4.10's(if you don't already have them) would help with the towing, but it would probably cause your mileage to drop when not towing. You could go the other direction and gear for fuel economy, but that would hurt your towing capabilities.
If it were me, I'd start with an e-fan, exhaust, and SCT tuner. The tuner will hold three custom tunes, so you can have a torquey "tow" tune for the weekends with your jetski, and then switch to a "fuel economy" tune when you don't need to tow. Best of both worlds.
After that, if you're comfortable opening up your engine, there are a couple of sets of roller rockers (1.7's as well as 1.8's) available now that show nice gains in hp and tq. The reduced friction in the valvetrain might help out the fuel economy as well.
Should be able to do those mods for under $1200, then spend the rest on maintenance.

 

[locovaca]

After that, if you're comfortable opening up your engine, there are a couple of sets of roller rockers (1.7's as well as 1.8's) available now that show nice gains in hp and tq. The reduced friction in the valvetrain might help out the fuel economy as well.

Who has the 1.7s? I only know of the 1.8s at Morana's

 

[krazyafterall]

Thanks for the advice guys i believe ill try the exhaust and the tuner and if that doesnt cut it ill get the 4.10s

 

[stmitch]

Who has the 1.7s? I only know of the 1.8s at Morana's

There's a guy on Ranger Forums who sells a kit. He also puts them on ebay from time to time, but I believe he sells them a bit cheaper if you contact him directly on RF.

 

[Froggmann]

U/D crank pulley and e-fan would be a great place to start.