Poor milage

[RangerJ]

1989 4x4 xlt 2.9 auto trans (money pit) runs good ,cranks good etc. slight miss at idle. but bad gas milage. need ideas where to start.thanks.

BTW this is a wonderful site,I have learned a lot.

 

[Plum Ranger XLT]

Try new spark plugs, plug wires, fuel filter and air filter and see if that helps.

 

[fatt_owl2.9]

exactly how bad is the mileage? You've got an auto trans 4x4, so you've got probably the thirstiest of all factory Ranger configurations. I'd start by getting fault codes and going from there, in addition to the basic maintenance stuff, like making sure your plugs and wires, cap and rotor, etc. all look good.

 

[The Fox]

Could be over geared if you have larger tires on it, or just plain over geared. Or if you are towing/ moving lots of weight around. Could be AC running a lot. It could be many things.
Mine does not get the best gas mileage on the freeway(around 16MPG) because it is geared so low, but it gets low 20''s ish on the street.
Nick