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Hi again everyone. I haven't been posting because I've been in school here and at BITOG educating myself using the search features. Such a wealth of knowledge!

My project vehicle that I just bought is a 1991 Ford Ranger with a 4 cyl, auto/overdrive, 2 whl. drive. as you may have read.


This truck will principally be my daily work truck. But I will also drive it all over Ohio as I am an owner of Ohio's biggest and best(IMHO) multi-species fishing website.
Feel free to check it out - www.ohiogamefishing.com

I tried to post a pic of the truck, but I haven't figured that out yet? copy/ paste didn't work, I'll find out what will and add it here. I successfully uploaded it to my gallery.

I've been looking at the discussions of driving techniques, oil additives, tire pressures, weight reduction, etc., all with great interest.

I am looking at:

- taking the seven ft. fiberglass cap off for a savings of 150 lbs approx. (probably after winter- need weight for traction)
- tailgate removal for additional wt. loss - use net?
- remove rubber bed mat for weight reduction
- new tires will be excellent with regard to rolling resistence when needed
- oil change will be with minimum wt. synthetic oil
- have my mechanic set up a meeting with a rep. for Justice Brothers with a bearing test machine to compare theirs, and Dyna Maxx (forum threads seem inconclusive of benefits or no - of oil additives)
- front air dam below bumper
- tire pressures are already at 5 psi. over sidewall stated max. (used, and I don't know their history so won't go higher)
- my son and I some yrs. ago won a Pinewood Derby contest by applying rolling resistence decreases to all axles via polishing surfaces and using extremely slick lubricant - I will investigate the possibility of applying the lube concept to wheel bearings on the Ranger
- computer chip exchange, if one is made that will increase mpg.
- does a windage tray in oil pan exist?
- waxing the truck to reduce drag (haven't seen that anywhere discussed)
- fabricate a front grille block with working adjustable vents to aid engine temp. control


I have already established a MPG performance baseline.

The truck, as is, and using my unchanged driving habits gave me a 19.9 mpg city driving average. This was with the tire pressure set as I received the truck- 30 lbs. in each with a sidewall max. of 35 psi.

I'm looking forward to seeing how well I can improve its MPG performance in a reasonable, cost-efficient manner. ;)

Just a couple of quick thoughts from a fellow Ranger owner.
Leave the tailgate on, with a 6' bed it gives better aero performance. Leave the bed liner in, why tear up the bed? Perhaps replace the cap with a tonneau or partial tonneau cover, I posted a link to an aerodynamics study that was done on pickup trucks; the partial worked best overall for the short beds, full tonneau worked best for long beds, but yes is still quite good for short beds.
My sons and I have won a few Pinewood derbies...microscope is my friend :)
Don't bother with the chip, most of the ones available are for new trucks and are designed for higher power output not for economy. I've looked around for a while for this too.
No need to worry about windage tray unless you are going to autocross.
Waxing? I believe over on gassavers there was references to articles that showed no appreciable difference, other than looks.
Front grill block with movable slats would be pretty cool, but might not be necessary. I'm running a full block of the grill, leaving below the bumper opening open, and I am seeing good temps. I did a temporary one in July and did a trip to Madison and had no probs then either.
Best of luck to you with this project, keep us posted on your progress!

Thanks for your response SlowHands. Its nice to see other guys who also have Rangers, especially 4 cylinder engines. excel has also responded elsewhere, I really appreciate all of the help. You mentioned some interesting information.
I don't see the link you mentioned?

I will post results as I get them.

I concur with SlowHands. Get a tonneau cover if you can live with one. That was one of my first moves. It gained me 1.5 MPG with no other changes. hard or soft - both work.

Better yet would be a "fastback" cover. When I figure out how to post pix here I'll put up some pics of my "fastback fairing." I call it a fair because it is fixed and is kinda a pain. I will be working on an improvement thei winter.

I installed a rugged air dam. See http://powerstrokenation.com/photopost/member.php?uid=175&protype=1

It is nothing more than a piece of 24"x5/8" conveyor belting netset to the existing bumper. It is ugly as homemade sin, but it works. Nice thing is that it is conveyor belt and there is no roadkill that can damage it. Again, I will be working on a more aesthetic design this year. It will come off shortly when the snow flies. But it is helping to hold my MPG up into the mid-25s this late into the fall.

As my truck is a diesel I regeared it to 3.08:1. Powerstroke diesels are true torque monsters. I run down the highway at 1700 RPM = 70 MPG. I think it would work OK as low as 1250 RPM. Engine frictional HP is big on these vehicles. Ever think about swapping a M-B five-cylinder diesel into your truck? Diesels are about a third more efficient than gas engines, but they require a certain breed to love them.

I have improved my MPG by 30% since it was new. Most Escape drivers hate my guts because my huge truck beats the stuffings out of them for MPG.

Don't forget the Mooneyes on your wheels. Mine gets them next spring with new Michilin XP Rib economy tires. I am also playing with camber and toe-in. I'll let you know how that works out.

I slammed the truck 3" front and 6" rear. I gained another inch by going to 225-75x16s up front. This gained me another MPG.

My goal: 30 MPG over my "daily grind" circuit.

I am also gonna attack a cargo trailer. Imagine a Hi-Lo crossed with a Bowlus Road Chief.