Rangers are fuel efficient?

[Hahnsb2]

2.9, 5 spd, 4.10s, 33s, dragging around Warn 8000/bumper combo, Drawtite reciever hitch, 4' hi lift, fullsize spare and chokers/shackles=26+mpg freeway. Verified with gps. Gotta be the Pacesetter headers.

Yeah right

 

[Kdawg532]

In my '07 B3000 manual I get the same mpg as you but when towing a boat with a 500-700 load of random stuff in the bed (covered by the soft tonneau). That goes down by a whopping 1 mpg if I accelerate fast but I get normally get 25-26 unloaded on the highway.

dang son i wish i could get that in my 3.0, is yours a 4x4?? or a 4x2 supercab ? reg cab??

 

[Maverick]

Yeah, I had the same problem. My 02 ext cab 4X4 3.0 got any where between 14-20MPG with the 20 MPG happening only a very few times. Mixed driving I averaged 15MPG which in my opinion is total crap in a gutless V6 compact pickup. In my world power should coincide with the fuel mileage. A 3.0 Ranger that gets 15mpg just ain't cutting it. I have no problem with my Maverick getting 10MPG cause when I stand on the gas it will flat roast the tires forever. Now I have a 01 F250 Diesel that gets between 14-18MPG (so far) that is better in every way except parking. It's safer, holds more people comfortably, tows heavy stuff great, and doesn't even blink at hills. I'm so fricken happy with the truck I don't think I'll go back to DDing a 4x4 Ranger anytime soon.

 

[inferno94]

dang son i wish i could get that in my 3.0, is yours a 4x4?? or a 4x2 supercab ? reg cab??

2wd super cab, it does alright now that its broken in. I use synthetic oil in it which may add to it and have a kn panel filter, I'm looking into jba shorty headers too.

I wish they sold the diesel mazda pu's here like in australia 3L turbo diesel 280ftlbs of torque and it gets ~35mpg in 4x4 crew cab form with 5000-6000lbs towing capacity

 

[tj4fa]

My '91 2WD ain't gonna use no stickin' gas no mo'...zero...zip...nada.

Neither are the guys with Rangers here...

http://evalbum.com/type/FDMC

 

[krugford]

What are the specs on that motor? What did you plan on using for batteries? Speed? Range? I only looked at one other vehicle on that link, the Ranger on the top left. Top speed 65mph, ranger: 30 miles max? That's barely useful....

 

[tj4fa]

The Motor is an Advance FB4001A and compared to a gas engine the motor is about 125HP.

I'm gonna be using a 144V system with 24 deep cell 6 volt batteries. 4 in the front where the radiator used to be and 20 in the bed.

My expected range is around 50 miles on a charge which will get me back and forth to work (25-30 miles) and around town here and there.

Battery life and range depend on how its driven. Although It will probably do 80MPH flat out, the speed limit is only 45 between my house and work.

Then again, I might take it out on the weekend like this guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp_jwE0KdOk

 

[feellnfroggy]

what it comes down to is gas mileage is different for everybody, altitudes, stop and go lights, shifting rpms (should never be over 2200) top speeds, 70 vs 60 means 10%more fuel used. tire pressure, excess crap in the truck, quiality of wheel bearings and other moving parts(excess friction uses more gas) USE OF THE A/C I have an expedition with 16 mpg on the highway and avg 14 mpg city, with the a\c on. Needless to say i run without it 100% of the time, in florida. Ocala to be exact. Hot and Muggy. But after spending my last two summers consecutive in 140+ heat its no biggy anymore. Im gettin without a/c 18+ highway and 15 city(driving at 65 hwy) How many of you leave the tailgate of your truck down for better mileage? Stupid idea, the truck was designed for best mpg with the bed up, the air flows over the cab and over the bed(when its up) when you drop it you change the aerodynamics drastically and drop your mpg's. gearing is another big aspect, if you have insane gearing then dont even complain about mpg's.

which brings up another point some of the newer rangers came fromt he factory with 4x4 and 4.11's around the 99 model year and a few others, with street tires (235/70/r15) 4.11's will kill mpgs. Point is if your blaming mpg's as a good reason to dump your ranger, its prolly cuz you dont want it anymore or dont wanna accept the fact that you have a lead foot(with some exceptions). But if a 4 cyl ranger nets you 700.00 bux a month in fuel costs? your driving to far or doing sumthing wrong, In either case no other vehicle will do you any better, except maybe a honda or God forbid...... a scion.

 

[LordVngr]

Man, you guys are sooo lucky. Recently I have started to keep track of the MPG in my 89 Stx 4x4 with a 2.9 and 5 speed. Also I have 30 inch tires. I dont drive it hard or hasul or tow anything.

Last week I Filled up the tank, reset the trip odometer and put about 120 miles on the truck and then refilled it. The Result was about 14 MPG.

Any ideas of where to start looking to improve my milage. Thanks...

 

[bobbywalter]

Yeah, I had the same problem. My 02 ext cab 4X4 3.0 got any where between 14-20MPG with the 20 MPG happening only a very few times. Mixed driving I averaged 15MPG which in my opinion is total crap in a gutless V6 compact pickup. In my world power should coincide with the fuel mileage. A 3.0 Ranger that gets 15mpg just ain't cutting it. I have no problem with my Maverick getting 10MPG cause when I stand on the gas it will flat roast the tires forever. Now I have a 01 F250 Diesel that gets between 14-18MPG (so far) that is better in every way except parking. It's safer, holds more people comfortably, tows heavy stuff great, and doesn't even blink at hills. I'm so fricken happy with the truck I don't think I'll go back to DDing a 4x4 Ranger anytime soon.

yeah in detroit city traffic if i didnt leave it running at work with the ac or heat on, my psd van gets 16's. pushes 20 hiway.

thats fully loaded with 100-300 feet of ladder on it. my ranger gets single digets loaded like that.


i always laughed when idiots ask how i like filling up with diesel like i am the idiot for having a diesel


friggen morons just dont get it glad i can do remedial math.


i get the same comments on wanting to do a diesel swap in my 4x4 ranger...


with the miles i drive electric wont get it. or i would probably have done that already.

 

[bobbywalter]

My '91 2WD ain't gonna use no stickin' gas no mo'...zero...zip...nada.

Neither are the guys with Rangers here...

http://evalbum.com/type/FDMC

if i were to do this for a commuter i would gut a fiesta/festiva and put hub motors on it with regen controllers and pull a lil trailer to haul shit or cut the roof off the festy and make a lil truck out of it.

this seems like a waste of money comparativly. or am i missing something? is this actually a better way to do it?

 

[tj4fa]

if i were to do this for a commuter i would gut a fiesta/festiva and put hub motors on it with regen controllers and pull a lil trailer to haul shit or cut the roof off the festy and make a lil truck out of it.

this seems like a waste of money comparativly. or am i missing something? is this actually a better way to do it?

Sure you can do all that. That might be cool!!

Some already have done stuff like that.
http://evalbum.com

Is this actually a better way to do it? I dunno. Does Ford have a better idea?

I plan to use a generator to extend the range in the near future and install some type of regen capability. If the generator won't fit in the bed, I'll haul it with a little trailer or carrier on the back like RVs do.

Is a "waste of money"? depends...

How much money does it cost others here to dress up, lift up, paint up, power up or generally F' up thier trucks?

Since putting it on the road, I haven't used any gas or required any normal maintenance costs from oil changes, engine parts, ect. I'm allowed to plug in at work for free and don't contribute to air or noise pollution. As for now it only burns electrons.

Since I don't smoke and don't drink (much) and I work on my own cars, I figure I can piss away some money on stuff other than gas and have some fun at the same time.

More photos of my electric truck here--->http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/jaynethecat/Ranger EV/

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Sure you can do all that. That might be cool!!

Some already have done stuff like that.
http://evalbum.com

Is this actually a better way to do it? I dunno. Does Ford have a better idea?

I plan to use a generator to extend the range in the near future and install some type of regen capability. If the generator won't fit, I'll haul it with a little trailer of on the back like RVs do.

Is a "waste of money"? depends...

How much money does it cost others here to dress up, lift up, paint up, power up or generally F' up thier trucks?

Since putting it on the road, I haven't used any gas or required any normal maintenance costs from oil changes, engine parts, ect. I'm allowed to plug in at work for free and don't contribute to air or noise pollution. As for now it only burns electrons.

Since I don't smoke and don't drink (much) and I work on my own cars, I figure I can piss away some money on stuff other than gas and have some fun at the same time.

More photos of my electric truck here--->http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/jaynethecat/Ranger EV/

I admire you Sir!

I belive you have done a good economical thing with your truck, and it doesn't cost a thing. and it is really cool/unique.


BTW when my truck was stock (no 31's or lift...) I could get upto about 25 mpgs, and with fill ups around ever 400 - 450 miles, or about every 2 - 3 weeks.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

regen is a very expensive feature for the average joe to add...its not usually implimented because the cost-to-return ratio just isnt there.

converting almost any vehicle to electric is worth it if your duties fall within the normal 40-60 mile range. i did the math once last year, and driving a factory ranger EV would be the equivilant of getting somewhere in the range of 144 MPG (thats including the cost of charging the truck). the break even point was around $0.46 a gal.

converting a small pickup to EV has certain advantages....such as better load capacity for hauling around the required 1,000lbs or so worth of batteries. most small cars are put right at their GVWR limit by an EV conversion.

i considered an EV conversion on one of my escorts a while back...but my 40 miles daily commute puts my right on the edge of an average ev conversions range...meaning id be sailing through battery packs pretty regularly, not very cost effective. ive beeing thinking of fabbing up an EV pusher trailer to hook to the otherwise gas powered escort to make sort of a poor mans hybird...but thats another topic for another day.

 

[tj4fa]

Thanks guys!

I'm planning to add a 40KW Aircraft Generator and powering it with a small gas or diesel engine as a range extender.

As part of that phase of my project, I will make a Hydrogen gas generator (hydroxy gas cell) to clean up the emissions and extend the gas mileage run-time range of the generator engine.

The generator I've made a deal on is 40KW 3ph 120/208VAC 111amps at 6000rpm and I plan to rectify it to DC to run through my esisting battery pack and/or through to my motor directly.

If the engine runs optimally at 3000 rpm I will pulley-up the generator to run it at its rated speed of 6000 rpm.

My real challenge to this right now is getting a voltage regulator at 400hz compared to 60hz.

The future GM volt will operate with an engine driven generator at 53KV to drive an electric motor.

I'm thinking the gas mileage range for my future series hybrid truck when not run strictly from batteries will be extended into the 100+ MPG range with the addition of the generator.