Mods for better mileage...

[k2rider]

Bought my son a 2006 Ranger, auto with the 3.0 and 31" BFG's, otherwise totally stock. He drives 4 miles back and forth to school on city streets for 90% of his driving. He gets about 12 MPG and to be honest, I don't know how he drives when I'm not there...probably like most 16 year olds.

I took it to work for a week, driving 30 miles each way and most of that on the freeway. I kept the cruise control on 65 MPH the whole time. I averaged 16.5 MPG on that tank.

Are there mods/bolt-ons that will keep it 100% California legal and improve the gas mileage? Aftermarket exhausts maybe and if so, which one? Air intakes? Thanks for the input

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Replace Ranger with car.

 

[02RangerXLT]

Exactly ^^... Rangers get crappy mileage in town... well, most vehicles do... so there's the problem in the first place. If you want good mileage in town, get a 4 banger of some sort... The ranger ain't going to do it.

A cold air intake won't do anything either...

 

[k2rider]

Fair enuf....needs a truck to haul his dirt bike to the track

 

[strvger]

try switching to tall, skinny tires. i know the one's i'm running have helped in the mileage dept.
or you could take it to a shop and have a rev limiter put on it. just don't tell your son.

and WELCOME to TRS!!!

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[-Nathan-]

the 31" tires are bigger than stock, and I doubt the truck was regeared when they were put on. Depending on gear ratios, a smaller tire will more than likely improve your mileage.

 

[farmer]

If he only drives 4 miles to school and back, whats the issue? Some of my friends had to drive 20 miles in truck that get 8mpg.

 

[Tony Raine]

city streets, stop and go traffic, a short commute (engine barely gets a chance to warm up), and he gets 12 mpg?

be proud, your son isn't hot-rodding it. that mileage is about the best that truck will ever get in that situation.

the cost of an intake/exhaust combo will never pay for itself in gas savings. best thing to do to the truck with your money is keep up maintenance

 

[06RangerXLT]

you could try a tuner. or a car with a trailer. lol

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

The best fuel saving mod, is to keep the weight off the right foot, and keeping up on maintenance. Improving exhaust flow will help, but nothing major. If you do the work yourself, and get a good deal on a can, it won't take long to pay it's self off. In my opinion, getting good exhaust is well worth it.

-Denny

 

[retep88]

Some thing that won't cost any thing is put the truck on a diet. Get rid of any spare weight that isn't needed. Plus one for putting the stock sized tires back on, one with a really tight tread for lower rolling resistance.

 

[backroad101]

Agreed on putting on tires in stock size with a a good tread.

Could also try and find a 4cyl Ranger

Not much else you can do other than getting a cheap 4cyl car to drive everyday when the utility of a truck not needed then drive the truck when you need it

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