Real Life Fuel Economy in V6?

[Mike Tonon]

No, I don't *need* 4WD all the time. Under ideal situations, I'd be able to find a 4x4 that gets 25MPG. However, I tend to pay close enough attention to the weather in the winter to know when I am going to wish I had it and on those days I can take my Sierra.

I would have no problem with a 2WD Ranger if it'll get decent economy. The Grand Prix I'd be replacing currently gets 28MPG on the highway. I'm willing to take a hit, just not a huge hit.

ATM, I may look for another Sport Trac like the GF drives. She's been reporting 25MPG with her 4.0, 4x4, and automagic transmission. EPA sites report differently, but, we've driven her truck halfway across the country multiple times without an issue and her estimates seem close to me.

Depending on what you need the vehicle to do and how often, you might be better off with a 2wd ranger. I was doing construction for years before getting layed off and I use my ranger to plow, so because of the plowing I basically need 4wd and its nice to have driving on some of the rougher job sites. But I had a 2wd before and didn't plow and it did the job. I would put studded snow tires on the rear wheels and I even did the front. I would also throw snow in the back and pack it for some weight. Once most of it melted, so did the snow on the roads. I also found that when I got stuck, I could usually get out by grabbing the rubber handle above the passenger door (on an 80's ranger) and rocking the truck from left to right.

 

[strvger]

1st gen, 2.8 v6, 5 spd manual, 21mpg. probably about as good as it gets for a 27 year old engine and i'm happy with that. but that's just me.

 

[Jaymez]

I'm sure I can get by fine with a 2WD. Like I said, ideally I'd find a 4x4 with awesome fuel economy and no "Subaru" badges on the steering wheel, but, since that isn't likely to happen I'll just have to watch the weather more closely in the winter and be sure to take the GMC on the nasty days. That's what I do now with my car.

Now, I need to decide if I can deal with the lack of power in the 4 cylinder vs the 6 and 8's at I am used to.

 

[Jaymez]

1st gen, 2.8 v6, 5 spd manual, 21mpg. probably about as good as it gets for a 27 year old engine and i'm happy with that. but that's just me.

No offense, but, I could never trust a vehicle that old, that I didn't know for most of its life, to be my daily driver. Not only that, but, most of those trucks are almost completely rotten around here. I don't know the last time I saw a Bronco II that didn't have half of its quarters missing. Square Bodied Rangers are about as rare as an intelligent political debate.

From what I have observed, anything 10 years old or more is pushing the limits when it comes to rust.

 

[Mike Tonon]

No offense, but, I could never trust a vehicle that old, that I didn't know for most of its life, to be my daily driver. Not only that, but, most of those trucks are almost completely rotten around here. I don't know the last time I saw a Bronco II that didn't have half of its quarters missing. Square Bodied Rangers are about as rare as an intelligent political debate.

From what I have observed, anything 10 years old or more is pushing the limits when it comes to rust.

I had my 87 Ranger up until 08 and it had some rust, but not much. Never garaged and here in Connecticut as well. It had undercoating done when it was new, but only on the frame, but the frame was solid. I sold it to a kid in Meriden, CT. It had the 2.9l, 2wd, reg. cab/ long bed, red interior and metalic charcoal grey paint with red pinstripes. I wonder if that things still around.

 

[Ruffinit]

I get 32 mpg average in my 4x2 2003 2.3 DuraTec / 5 speed / 4:10 / stepside normal cab. I commute with it 140 miles/day. 88,000 miles in the last 30 months. Just finished a 2700 mile drive from east Iowa to Salt Lake City going through Colo on the way out and WY on the way back. Average consumption 30.2 for the total trip. When I tow my enclosed 12' cargo trailer it drops to ~24. Here's a summary of V-6 RBVs for you:

1984 2.8 auto 4x4 - Winter driving 15-16, normal 18-19 (BII)
1988 2.9 5sp 4x4 - Winter driving 16-17, normal 22-24 (BII)
1991 4.0 auto 4x4 19-20 (Exp)
1994 4.0 5sp 4x4 - 20-22 (Exp Sport)
1999 4.0 auto 4x4 - 17-19 (Exp - OHC)
2001 4.0 auto 4x4 - 17-19 (Exp)

All based upon 140 mile commute; (35 miles 55mph, 15 miles 65mph, 20 miles 70mph each way)

 

[strvger]

No offense, but, I could never trust a vehicle that old, that I didn't know for most of its life, to be my daily driver. Not only that, but, most of those trucks are almost completely rotten around here. I don't know the last time I saw a Bronco II that didn't have half of its quarters missing. Square Bodied Rangers are about as rare as an intelligent political debate.

From what I have observed, anything 10 years old or more is pushing the limits when it comes to rust.

mine came from southern Georgia. essentially, no rust. and had just 33K original miles on it when i got it almost 2 years ago.
this truck is taking me to Fairbanks, Ak. and back late next summer. for my retirement i'll be driving the Alcan highway, something i've always wanted to do since i was a kid and first heard about it.

"Never get too old for adventures"

.

 

[Superman]

mine came from southern Georgia. essentially, no rust. and had just 33K original miles on it when i got it almost 2 years ago.
this truck is taking me to Fairbanks, Ak. and back late next summer. for my retirement i'll be driving the Alcan highway, something i've always wanted to do since i was a kid and first heard about it.

"Never get too old for adventures"

.

LMFAO

Where did it come from down here?


We do have some rust issues here...more if you go toward Brunswick.

 

[Jaymez]

mine came from southern Georgia. essentially, no rust. and had just 33K original miles on it when i got it almost 2 years ago.
this truck is taking me to Fairbanks, Ak. and back late next summer. for my retirement i'll be driving the Alcan highway, something i've always wanted to do since i was a kid and first heard about it.

"Never get too old for adventures"

.

That's awesome. I want to take all those cool roads on a motorcycle.

Ideally, the truck that I pick would be comfortable enough that I could toss my bike in the back and make my way to Montana one summer and cruise the "Going to the Sun Road".

 

[strvger]

i lived in Georgia for a few years myself. trust me, the little speckles of surface rust you might find on a vehicle there are nothing compared to what we get here in Minnesota after a couple of years of salt on the roads during our 6 month+ winters.

 

[Superman]

i lived in Georgia for a few years myself. trust me, the little speckles of surface rust you might find on a vehicle there are nothing compared to what we get here in Minnesota after a couple of years of salt on the roads during our 6 month+ winters.

Where at here in south Ga?

I guess you need to look at my Courier frame..well it's like a 1978 model...it's bad...from what I know..it's from GA. Already rusted through....

 

[06RangerXLT]

Canadian gallons are bigger..

i convert to american. i dont do 4 litres = 1 gallon.

i convert my km to miles, and convert the litres i filled up to gallons (USA) and divide. that gives me an average for the tank. ive done straight city tanks and straight highway, and those are my results.

 

[mp3deviant721]

I got 27mpg in my 4.0 a couple of weekends ago. But this was traveling on state highways at 55mph. I usually average 17-20mpg with my usual daily driving.

 

[brother rat]

Something has boggled my mind from the beginning of this thread. You claim that your girlfriend (with a heavy foot) gets a consistent 25mpg out of her Sport Trac. I find that hard to believe, although not necessarily impossible.
A Ranger is lighter and has a smaller profile and can be found with several smaller powerplants than the Sport Trac. As long as you have properly sized tires and proper gearing, and you don't drive it like a race car, you should see decent fuel mileage - at least as good as a Sport Trac.
If economy is a priority, you have to be willing to resign yourself to the fact that a 4cyl won't have V8 power. And you also have to keep in mind that trucks in general aren't designed for economy, they are designed for being trucks.

 

[TheTopher]

My truck with the 2.3 Lima, 3.45 gears and manual trans, 2wd has seen as high as 31 hwy. More realistically I get around 28-29 on road trips. City driving (2 miles down the road to my girlfriend's house, and two miles back) I get about 23-25 mpg.

As far as the power thing goes... My 2.3 Lima can be a little frustrating at times. But if you get one of the newer (as in the last 10 years) duratec 2.3 motors you should be alright, I hear they're quite the peppy little buggers.

With a little patience I don't see your goal of 28 being a problem with a 2wd