I know that you're not getting 30 MPG, and neither is anyone else.
If you believe that a lifted, V8, AWD Explorer CAN get 22mpg (which I actually find somewhat less "believable" then 30mpg in a 2wd, 4cyl Ranger, or Al's Ex.), then I don't see why you wouldn't believe that Al's Explorer could do 30MPG? ( or a 2wd, 4cyl Ranger).:scratch:
Can everybody get 30mpg? No. Could Al have gotten 30mpg out of anyone elses' Explorer and/or Ranger? Probably not. In fact, I'll go ahead and say no.
However, when you combine Al's specific vehicle (2wd, SOHC), his specific location and the associated driving conditions (very flat terrain, mostly highway driving, minimal cold weather use - cold temps kill mpg), his unique and extensive modifications (both physical mods like lowering,etc.., as well as custom tuning), and his very conservative and specific driving style and routine, then it is
entirely believable that he was able to get 30mpg+, UNDER THOSE VERY UNIQUE COMBINED CIRCUMSTANCES/VARIABLES.
I admire all the mods he did, and I hope we all can try to copy them, and come up with some more that maybe he never got the chance to try; specifically aeromods. I plan on lowering the front air dam, maybe adding side skirts, and trying a partial grill block, on my '93 Ranger. It's a 4.0L-OHV, 5spd, 4wd. I use it mainly for hauling junk. If I have less then 1200 LBS in it, its a light load. I drive it like I stole it (70mph is too slow, and is wasting my time), and I'm getting 18.6 MPG currently.
Personally, I also think a lot of gain can be had by increasing low load (highway cruise) EGR flow, along with the related increase in timing, and leaner a/f ratios. You can probably run 20:1 safely under low-load cruise conditions; especially with increased EGR flow (which cools the combustion chamber as well as occupying some of the chamber volume that would otherwise be filled with fresh air and more fuel). Of course this assumes that a.) your vehicle has EGR, and b.) You have the tools and knowledge to tune it.
One thing I DON'T admire, and hope no one ever copies is his driving style (which is a very important part of acheiving the mileage he claimed). I HATE "hyper-miler" driving techniques, which is basically what he used. Slow crawls away from lights, reduced highway speeds, long coast downs approaching lights,etc... Yes, it might improve MPG for that one vehicle/driver doing it, but it infuriates:fire: many other people on the road, and actually decreases their mileage, by having to deal with Granny Go-Nowhere. I guess if you stick to the right lane like glue, I can let it slide. BUT, Priusesssss (Prii?) ( and Insights, Smart cars, and Explorers driven in said manner) forming rolling road blocks in the left, or even middle lane deserve to be crushed by a monster truck belching black clouds
of unburnt fuel from the worlds least efficient, most polluting diesel engine ever built. (It runs on the blubber of endangered whales, and Hippie flesh)
Anyway, back to the point: While it is not likely to happen for most of us, it is POSSIBLE to get the kind of mileage Al claimed, given the right circumstances.