Better MPG

mdb612 · #1 03-20-2011, 08:52 AM

I have 2005 FX4 Level II, 4.0 liter, 31x10.5 bfg, 64k, all stock
I bought new never had a problem with it.
I take it on the beach in Nj almost every weekend (surf fishing)
Is there anything I can do to improve MPG

jacobxstanley · #2 03-20-2011, 08:54 AM

buy a honda

ben10 · #3 03-20-2011, 08:59 AM

Not really, your pretty much stuck unless you do a diesel swap. There are a few small gains of 1 mpg some have gotten... but these aren't really gas friendly trucks.

TerrenceStuart · #4 03-20-2011, 09:57 AM

welcome to FRF, Mike!
your stuck with a GAS HOG

STL · #5 03-21-2011, 01:26 PM

Welcome to FRF

Be sure to post tech questions in the correct section.

zx6rrdan · #6 03-21-2011, 07:33 PM

- Tonneau cover for the bed would help... here's the Leer page and I agree with them on this. I had a hard cover on my 95 B3000 and it was 9-10% improvement hiway mileage with and without the cover
http://www.leer.com/Fuel-Savings-Page
- FX4 Level II would have 4.10 gears... changing to taller gearing could help
- 31X10.5 BFG's not going to be the most gas mileage friendly... narrower, lower and less agressive tread or even a gas mileage tire could help
- Some claim switch to electric fan helps but not really proven or well documented
- Under body air flow mods
- full smooth flush wheel covers
- fins before and after tire to cut air drag

Personally only ones I'd consider are the hard tonneau and maybe electric fan conversion if I can find better proof it works... I like truck tires and nice looking truck to much to seriously consider the others.

DiabloBlanco · #7 03-21-2011, 07:47 PM

electric fan works, covers dont.

FireRanger · #8 03-21-2011, 08:03 PM

The several hundred you'll spend on these things will cost more than the miniscule gain in MPG you may or may not get. There is no such thing as bolt-on, pour-in, or plug-in economy. Anything you do will cost more than you save, which really defeats the purpose. It is all in your driving style. The more you baby it, the better your fuel economy will be. It's a truck, not a car.

zx6rrdan · #9 03-22-2011, 09:28 AM

+1 on the driving style comments. I left off the most important one... get a ScanGauge or UltraGauge and learn what works for the best mileage. It's amazing how much a difference 1-2mph more or less can make in mileage.

chayes627 · #10 03-29-2011, 06:39 AM

Electric fans do work as well as under drive pulleys. there is a guy from an explorer forum ill try to find the page, he has an explorer with the sohc motor 2wd tho has done numerous mods and has gotten 32 mpg. some of the mods he has done will apply to rangers to.

chayes627 · #11 03-29-2011, 07:31 AM

Here is the link to that page i was talking about earlier.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=137531

mdb612 · #12 04-01-2011, 05:09 AM

Thanks for all the input.
I guess I have to live with it.

Andy CWS · #13 07-18-2011, 02:05 PM

Turn off the air conditioner.

Use a Ultragauge or Scan Gauge and adjust your driving habits. Steady acceleration to desired speed, stay off cruise control.

Every time you step on the gas, you lose mileage. But every time you step on the break, you lose mileage, too. So coast longer distances, especially as soon as you see that light turn yellow--off the gas, even if it's a block away. It is amazing how many drivers spend nearly all of their drive time either on the brake or gas and almost never coast. Try this and you will see people zoom pass you only to jam on the brakes for that red light. An Ultragauge or other MPG device will definitely show you how driving habits can change to improve mileage.

Andy Christensen

PhdNPrerunners · #14 07-31-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy CWS

Turn off the air conditioner.

Use a Ultragauge or Scan Gauge and adjust your driving habits. Steady acceleration to desired speed, stay off cruise control.

Every time you step on the gas, you lose mileage. But every time you step on the break, you lose mileage, too. So coast longer distances, especially as soon as you see that light turn yellow--off the gas, even if it's a block away. It is amazing how many drivers spend nearly all of their drive time either on the brake or gas and almost never coast. Try this and you will see people zoom pass you only to jam on the brakes for that red light. An Ultragauge or other MPG device will definitely show you how driving habits can change to improve mileage.

Andy Christensen

Why is it that you say stay off cruise control? I have always got better MPG when I use cruise

FireRanger · #15 07-31-2011, 10:32 AM

CC always does better than my foot as well.