MPG request : 4cyl, 5spd, 3rd gen, stepstide, reg cab.

[koda6966]

As some of you know I keep a notebook with full build specs, estimates, and parts lists for several options I could go for my Ranger project truck, depending on which direction I decide to take I can go one of many ways. One of these ways, is to build a "MPG Project Truck." This is based off from seeing some zx2 project cars on another forum that are built to get the BEST gas mileage. I want to do the same with a Ranger, and see if I can achieve 30 mpg average.

I will do this by lightening the truck to the max. Fiberglass will play a big part in this, including a custom fiberglass inner bed and fiberglass fenders/hood. I will also be removing some non-essentials like the spare tire carrier and adding lighter wheels. It is also a great idea for a daily driver, because I could have the functionality of a truck with the mpg I crave.

Anyways, it's just a work in progress. Right now I just need some guys to toss up some average mpg estimates that they get from their Rangers. The truck I will be using will be a 2wd third generation Ranger, with a 5 speed and a 4 cylinder engine. I'm also looking for a regular cab stepside truck, because of the large weight difference.

 

[TheTopher]

30mpg average on a ranger is well in the realm of possibility. Take a peek over at ecomodder.com for the best info on saving gas.

I got 31mpg once on rt13 in southern Delaware. This was doing 45-50mpg in 5th gear at 3am with no other cars on the road. That was before I loaded my truck with about 300lbs worth of tools.

My truck is a fleetside and I think you may want to look into doing some research. I don't think a stepside would be that much lighter and I know it's definitely less aerodynamic.


Remember: all those in favor of saving gas, Raise your right foot!


One more thing...and I cannot stress this enough. Instrumentation! Get yourself a Scanguage II or if there's a newer model get one of those. This will give you real time figures of all the aspects of your truck's fuel efficiency. You can mod the truck all day long but the best thing for saving gas is to adjust that nut behind the wheel -- You! The scanguage will tell you how different types of driving in your specific vehicle work out. They each respond better to different techniques. A little bit of fun trivia, the guy who invented it wanted to save gas in his F150.

 

[koda6966]

Maybe I will do some research into it. I can see how the fleet side would get better mileage.

Lately I've been changing my driving habits back and forth and experimenting with my Zx2. For some reason, I can't get different mileage. I drove all over in just overdrive, and got 23mpg, I hammered on the throttle at every light change and got 23mpg, I drove like an old lady and got 23mpg, and I drive like normal and get 23mpg. The damn car hates me, it wont give me the satisfaction of improving my gas mileage.

Thanks for the information. I'm also going to be looking into whether the 93/94 dash is lighter or heavier than the 95-97 dash style. Only way I can think of to do that is to spend some time experimenting at the Junk Yard. They don't care what I rip apart, as long as I keep it in the general vicinity of the vehicle and buy something later on. I tore apart a about five different explorers to compare the overhead consoles. I noticed some had less stuff inside them, and would be better for a swap on my truck since I have a sunroof.

 

[TheTopher]

I found three guys on there with ZX2s that are keeping fuel logs. They get between 34 and 40mpg. Take a look at their logs, a lot of times they explain the techniques they used to start getting better.


http://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-log.php?vehicleid=1181
http://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-log.php?vehicleid=2088
http://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-log.php?vehicleid=207



Just understand that some of the techniques people on that site use are frowned upon by the police and other drivers so you'll have to decide which to use and which ones just aren't worth the saved gas.

 

[Funnyman141]

HA! I wish I could get at least 12 mpg in my truck since winter my gas mileage dropped down to 5 and thats with reg cab long bed 4 banger of course I need to get a new tank and fuel lines after that I should be peachy

but to be on topic the best way to reduce weight would be fiberglass front fenders, hood, doors removing the spare tire gear. thats all I can think of

 

[koda6966]

23 seems to be the average for an auto zx2 in a hilly area during winter. I was getting 25 in the warmer weeks of November.

 

[caveman_joey]

I average between 26 and 28 mpg on my 98 2.5l regular cab 2wd manual shift thats all stock except for a k&n filter and i got 199,910 miles on the clock, well i did change the plugs/wires at 190,000 and the timing belt but that didn't affect the mileage any.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

The things you can do to improve mileage... Carbon Fiber!

I think you would do better with a Standard short bed truck... not the step side cause I think its heavier then the fleet side.

Standard Cab
Short Bed
2.3L
5 speed
Lightweight, low resistance wheels (basically put flat discs on)
Lower profile tires because they are naturally stiffer.
Increased Air Pressure in tires
Loose the Spare tire, Jack and tools, Smaller battery, strip the sound proofing and carpet, Remove A/C, Remove stereo and speakers (listen to Ipod), Remove outer mirrors (if legal), Switch to single bucket seat or 2 light weight ones, swap big tank for 10 gallon fuel cell, aftermarket muffler and pipe out the side (flush mount with body if possible), All synthetic fluids, Aluminum skid plates all on the under side, explorer fiberglass single leafsprings, lightweight cloth tonneau cover, Give it a little drop 2" (keep the rake though), roll pan, lightweight front bumper, grille inserts, and some of those 40/50's style wheel covers like this for the back...

 

[triumphrider-1]

Make a panel for the rear fender well. Instead of using aluminum for the belly pan I'd just get some sheet metal. In addition, making a rigid bed cover that is flush with the top rails would provide less drag than a vinyl cover, but a "boat tail" style topper is better yet.

If you want to get fancy, you could lay the windshield back a few more degrees to reduce the high pressure along the top edge.

Check these out, may give you more ideas.
http://www.coreymeltonmotorsports.com/Wind_Tunnel_Testing.html
http://www.aerocivic.com/
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/phil-knox-fleet-34-years-aeromodding-1280.html

Its all depepnding on how far you want to take it.

 

[Madracingalley]

Kinda sounding like a streamliner now...

 

[koda6966]

I thought that fiberglass was lighter than steel? Good thing I'm doing research.

And Original_Ranger84, I'm not doing THAT extreme of a mpg project truck. I want it to still be a functional Daily Driver, and to have a stock look. If I was building one that extreme and I wasn't going to use a Ranger body I would just use an early 90's Honda Civic or Ford Escort.

 

[john112deere]

I thought that fiberglass was lighter than steel? Good thing I'm doing research.

It's probably less dense, but the FG fenders on my '97 flareside are easily two to three times thicker (maybe more) than the steel fenders on my '09 styleside. To be honest, though, I don't think the difference in weight is going to make enough difference to be noticeable in the real world of daily driving. I could be wrong, though- I've done no research on the matter.

Anyway...my '97 2.3, 5-speed, with 4.10 gears and 205/70-14 tires used to make 27-28 mpg on the highway pretty consistently. (I once recorded 30.1 over 200 miles, but I suspect the pump shut off a little quick. Don't care, it was my one 30 mpg Ranger fillup.) For a variety of reasons, it's more like mid-20s, now.

Anyway...with the short gears and tiny tires, that truck doesn't like to run fast, at all. 60-62 was as fast as I could run and see numbers like that consistently.

 

[02RangerXLT]

Just be sure not to sacrifice things that could save you in an accident just to save a little bit on mileage...

I'm sure you've thought of this, but just sayin...

 

[88_Eddie]

i dont think you're gonna have the functionality of a truck if you make a fiberglass bed....it'll just be like a giant wheelbarrow, i'd be hesitant to put more than 100 pounds in it

 

[Original_Ranger84]

And Original_Ranger84, I'm not doing THAT extreme of a mpg project truck. I want it to still be a functional Daily Driver, and to have a stock look. If I was building one that extreme and I wasn't going to use a Ranger body I would just use an early 90's Honda Civic or Ford Escort.

Well... those are just Ideas...

Most of them are really just for aerodynamics and weight trimming.

If its a budget one I would just dump alot of the stuff you will never use, throw a cover on the back lightweight wheels. and upgrade the ignition so that it completely burns the fuel.