Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 01-07-2019, 11:18 AM
Zn2Plus Zn2Plus is offline
Raleigh Ranger
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 28
Default Tuner for improved MPG 2011 Ranger XL 2.3?

Any recommendations or personal experience getting some better performance, especially MPG, out of a 2.3L Ranger via Tuner? Is it possible, is it worth it, is there any tuner sharing that I can get in on?
__________________
2011 Ranger XL Ext Cab 2.3L Auto
NOW: Custom Durabek bed liner, Explorer dome light, Custom keyless entry, window tint, window vents, JVC KW-HDR720 HD radio with USB, Alpine type-S speakers
NEW: fog lights, K&N air filter, custom bed under-rail LED lighting
NEXT: Explorer console mod
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-09-2019, 07:57 AM
dvrich dvrich is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,181
Default Re: Tuner for improved MPG 2011 Ranger XL 2.3?

2011 supercab 2.3/auto:


Ranger 2WD A-5 2.3/4 19/24

21 mpg overall is about it for a supercab 4 banger.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-09-2019, 08:56 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
<<< Husky the High Dog!
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,181
Default Re: Tuner for improved MPG 2011 Ranger XL 2.3?

after you buy a tuner, it'll be a while before you break even, say if you got +1 mpg out of it. i think sct tuners are like $400 for the MAP priced ones. probably be around 100,000 miles before its worth it, just a guess
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-09-2019, 12:02 PM
Dirtman Dirtman is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 516
Default Re: Tuner for improved MPG 2011 Ranger XL 2.3?

I don't think its worth it. A tuner can't turn a terribly un-efficient flying brick into an aerodynamic sports car and unfortunately that is the fundamental issue with MPG's on any truck. If you do alot of highway driving re-gearing might be a more usefull option. You most likely have 4.10's so going to 3.73 or 3.55 would hurt you around town but give you better MPG's cruising at 65+.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-10-2019, 09:36 AM
Zn2Plus Zn2Plus is offline
Raleigh Ranger
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 28
Default Re: Tuner for improved MPG 2011 Ranger XL 2.3?

Thanks. Was wondering whether a tuner has to be plugged in to OBDii at all times, or if it just needs to be tuned once then I can sell the tuner to the next guy. BC if I buy used then resell it won't really cost me next to nothing.
__________________
2011 Ranger XL Ext Cab 2.3L Auto
NOW: Custom Durabek bed liner, Explorer dome light, Custom keyless entry, window tint, window vents, JVC KW-HDR720 HD radio with USB, Alpine type-S speakers
NEW: fog lights, K&N air filter, custom bed under-rail LED lighting
NEXT: Explorer console mod
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-10-2019, 10:39 AM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
ford dealer parts guy
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 20,938
Send a message via AIM to djfllmn
Default Re: Tuner for improved MPG 2011 Ranger XL 2.3?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zn2Plus View Post
Thanks. Was wondering whether a tuner has to be plugged in to OBDii at all times, or if it just needs to be tuned once then I can sell the tuner to the next guy. BC if I buy used then resell it won't really cost me next to nothing.
once you use it for the first time it ''locks'' to your truck, you can't just plug it into another truck without paying to unlock it
__________________
2021 F150 5.0 Screw

Past:18 F150 2.7, 16 F150 5.0, 14 F150 5.0, 07 F150 5.4, 03 Ranger 4.0

Master Certified Ford Parts / Warranty Admin
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-10-2019, 11:29 AM
Dirtman Dirtman is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 516
Default Re: Tuner for improved MPG 2011 Ranger XL 2.3?

And if your ecu ever gets reset your tune is gone so you'd have to spend another $400+ on another tuner....

If you could just buy a tuner, use it and sell it off to thd next guy the companies making them would have been out of business after they sold one tuner.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-10-2019, 03:10 PM
Zn2Plus Zn2Plus is offline
Raleigh Ranger
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 28
Default Re: Tuner for improved MPG 2011 Ranger XL 2.3?

Makes sense. Doing the quick math, if I spend (estimated) $50 on a used tuner, then $150 to unlock the tuner (DiabloSport unlock price), then I'm $200 in the hole.

If said tuner bumps my MPG from 20 to 21, and gas costs $2.50/gal, then it will take 29,100 miles to recoup that $200.

If gas price goes up then I'll recoup faster. If my MPG improves more than 1 MPG (5%) then I'll recoup faster. If I resell the tuner afterwards for $50 then I'll recoup faster. If I resell tuner then reset my ECU then I'm doinked.
__________________
2011 Ranger XL Ext Cab 2.3L Auto
NOW: Custom Durabek bed liner, Explorer dome light, Custom keyless entry, window tint, window vents, JVC KW-HDR720 HD radio with USB, Alpine type-S speakers
NEW: fog lights, K&N air filter, custom bed under-rail LED lighting
NEXT: Explorer console mod
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-11-2019, 07:50 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
<<< Husky the High Dog!
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,181
Default Re: Tuner for improved MPG 2011 Ranger XL 2.3?

a lot of tuners have a set amount of times it can be 'married' to different vehicles. i know the SCT x3s and probably the x4s too have 5 unlocks. after that, you send it in and pay like $150 to have the manufacturer restore it. So... you could possibly find somebody wanting to dump their tuner with only 1 unlock left for say $100. and you'll have to keep the tuner of course to keep your tune.
and honestly, if you were to unlock your tuner &sell your ranger to buy another vehicle, and paying the $150 to restore it back to 5 unlocks, then you still might come out ahead if you burn the miles on your new vehicle too.

Last edited by RoberticusMaximus; 01-11-2019 at 07:52 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
2.3, mpg, tuner, tuning

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Looking for the best tuner for my Ranger! Need input. Christian Vance 4.0 SOHC / 4.0 OHV Tech 43 05-05-2015 07:45 AM
Tuner for 2011 Ranger Sport 4x4 Colby 4.0 SOHC / 4.0 OHV Tech 31 02-02-2014 11:54 AM
improved performance Charlie04ranger 3.0 Vulcan Tech 15 07-14-2010 04:01 PM
New & Improved Invite System Tom Site Announcements, Comments and Suggestions 4 03-11-2010 07:38 AM
Back cutting valves for improved air flow BogusSVO How-To Submissions 0 02-14-2010 01:05 PM