Hello, I'm new to trucks and have no experience mechanically, though I am mechanically inclined. I've just purchased a 2006 4L 4x4 Ranger supercab Sport. It currently gets about 18 MPG w/ mixed city and highway driving, but I'm interested in squeezing more out of it. Gas is getting pricy and still going up.

What are some effective methods to increasing MPG if one is not concerned about "cool factors".

I will be moving from Florida to Washington state soon, and will be towing a trailer with it. Afterwards I expect to put many more miles on it via commuting and camping/hunting trips.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

For the 4.0, 18 MPG mixed is damn near the best you'll squeeze out of it, especially with it being 4X4. You could do a cold air intake, upgraded exhaust and a tuner, but they will all give you minimal gains for the amount of money you spend on them. The best method for increasing your mileage is to drive like a grandma, and considering what you're getting right now I am guessing you already drive it pretty conservatively.

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Maintain it. So that your mpg doesn't decline due to deferred maintenance. Long term savings.

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08 4.0 Sport 4x4
Stock

I would be happy with even a 2mpg increase. The last car had 20,000 miles put on it in one year. So even a 2mpg increase on the truck could save around $300 a year in fuel costs, (@ $3.50/gal), not to mention that we're starting off w/ a 4000 mile road trip. We plan on keeping this vehicle for a very long time.

We are also getting a cab high topper for it. I've seen multiple opinions about it not improving mpg, or improving it by 2-4 mpg. At the very least I think it would help improve trailer aerodynamics.

Thanks!

Acetone in the fuel. You can make your own cold air or I have been thinking about replacing the position of my air intake all together when its nice out... I think its in a poor area behind the light...

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94 v6 3.0 5 spd rwd

94 v6 4.0 5 spd 4x4

acetone degrades your rubber fuel lines

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Dave K
2011 Ford Ranger 4x4 Sport 4.0L "Dixie"
Rancho Suspension/Auto/3.73's/Pinstriped/Flowmaster SS Exhaust.

FUTURE: 3' Body Lift/32's/Windshield Visor/Brush Guard.

I bought my truck new and was getting about 17 mpg tops.
I gained about 2 mpg by putting Royal Purple synthetic in the rear end, transfer case, tranny and engine. I also use RP Ice in the cooling system.
I get about 14 mpg while towing my 2600 lb pop up trailer. Of course my GCW loaded is higher. Maybe 8000 to 8500 lbs?
The frontal area of a trailer should not exceed 50 square feet with that truck.
I replaced my tires a few months ago and went narrower but same diameter. 215/85/16.

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2006 4.0 5 spd auto 4x4 Super Cab
BF Goodrich Commercial Traction T/A's
Royal Purple Throughout
Alpine Head Unit with some Infinity Noisy Stuff
NW Oregon

Before my ultra-guage was stolen I hovered around 18-19 mpg average for mostly city driving. If thats the same that you get then I don't see how you can get much better.

The acetone idea intrigues me, it makes sense why it would work, however I'd like to see some scientific longevity testing and not some internet guy's "I used it for 50k on my clunker with no problems". Note some of the discussions I found were like 5 years old, what happened to these cars?
Frankly, Gasoline and acetone are both solvents, anything made to contact gas should be able to withstand acetone in the very dilute concentrations mentioned, but still, needs testing.

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2002 Ranger Edge 2wd
3L 5-Speed
2" Lift (I think, done by previous owner)
Custom audio system (Again, previous owner)
Otherwise stock.

Wanna find out the facts on this one Caleb? Read up on flex fuel vehicles. You'll see that you can run a non flex fuel vehicle on up to 80% ethanol, but the flex fuel vehicle has fuel/emission lines etc. that are made of different materials that can hold up under contact with the more corrosive ethanol.

Only remaining difference is the fuel composition sensor that makes fueling adjustments, etc and tells the o2 sensors what to expect but that's beside the point here. The point is that short term your fine other than maybe the engine light due to lack of composition adjustments. Long term you'll get hoses drying up but who'd know to attribute that to age or acetone if you didn't know that it DOES speed up degradation?

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08 4.0 Sport 4x4
Stock

A toneau cover will give you the 1-2mpg improvement you are looking for. It's proven and well documented... Leer claims 10% improvement on there site.

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2010 B4000 4x4 SE+
mods:Tinted windows,Line-X,BAK Rail Caps,rust proofing, stebel natilus air horn,ScanGauge II,hitch reciever cover, Belkin Iphone mount charger, rubbermaid floor mats, hose clamp tailgate, mud flap delete, Cargo light 3rd brake light, explorer lighted visors, mustang dome light, fog light mod, Mountaineer ohc, bosch evolution wipers, GenK51a mirror,Kenwood p680c speakers, Underhood LED's, Ranger winter rims 245/75-16 Blizzak DMV-1's, 180lbs winter bed weight