New To This Site BIG QUESTION

[Brad Whitty]

Hi Everyone. I bought a "First Year" Ford Ranger 1.5 years ago with 110K original miles. Of course that means it is a 1983 model, and it has the 2.3L/C-5 auto drivetrain setup, dual tanks, two-tone paint withmatching camper shell 2WD XLT model. The truck now has 116K miles on it and I love the truck, EXCEPT for ONE THING..... The MPG Sucks! I get between 12.6 and 14.3 MPG with most checks falling around 13.5MPG. I notice on this forum that my set up should be getting around 20+MPG, but I am not even close. I have completely given it a tune up with new parts, even a new carb from National Carburator and it passes smog beautifully. It is completely stock, even the radio. I checked the brakes to ensure they are not dragging and they are okay. No fuel leaks anywhere, all filters, fluids changed, the truck even smells new inside, because the truck has spent most of its life sitting in a garage and driven very little. There is only one small door ding on the passenger side. My '86 F-250 with the 6.9L gets 17 to 19 MPG consistently!

So what am I missing here? Thanks for any help!

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome to TRS~!

You may want to check the weight of the vehicle. I was getting 20+ pretty consistently with my 2.3 (2.0 originally) but that was when I removed the tailgate, tossed my cap, went to aluminum rims and ran on 15x75x205 tires, and traded out my stock exhaust manifold for the shorty header...

Large tires, jump seats, tailgates, or ANY extra weight/wind resistance can drop fuel economy...not to mention things like driving habits, road conditions, and low tire inflation...

It was a necessity for me to dump as much weight as I could during summer months and only adding what was absolutely essential for traction in winter...mainly because I'm 6.6" and weigh over 200 lbs myself...and that's before breakfast...

 

[Hopman]

Switch to a stick shift. Those 4-banger/slushbox combos are real dogs.

 

[jimmy3970]

Welcome to TRS