Concerned About my MPG

[Patton]

Hello,
I just arrived here. I'm REALLY new to cars and all, but have really gotten into the culture surrounding off-roading these last few weeks, mainly because I am looking to buy a '91 Foor Explorer from a friend who has already made some off-roading mods on it.
Some but not all are:
3-4 inch lift
all-terrain tires
rebuilt engine
improved suspension (i think)
and some other things I'm probably not aware of

However, my main concern about buying this car is its gas mileage. With prices on gas at a steady rise, I cannot afford to have a gas hog; however, my passion for off-roading is growing every day. So my question is this: if I got this Explorer, what are some options for improving gas mileage?
If anyone answers this, if you could please list a general price range and a suspected amount of gas mileage improvement (I get confused easily).
Thanks in advance. I've been looking through your forums and, if I got my explorer, I think I've found a place to call home.

 

[Lt.Jim]

Welcome to the site. If you are concerned about mpg then a lifted first gen is probably not a great idea. If you are passionate about off roading use the truck only for that and pick up a used civic as a daily driver. If you want suggestions about improving mpg read aldive's thread http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44372&highlight=quest
aldive's is not a hardcore off roader but still an impressive explorer.

Good luck!

 

[sn0border88]

depending on the tire size you could look into a gear change, search around the web for gear ratio/tire size calculators im sure you will find them, i just cant think of the links right now.

 

[Patton]

I've read a little of aldive's post, its very interesting. What would you recommend in terms of a cool air intake system for a '91 explorer? I've been looking for one for 91 explorers but have yet to find one, besides the KKM one shown on your site. Is KKM a good buy?

 

[sn0border88]

yup, I love my KKM.

 

[Patton]

Any noticeably increase in MPG?

 

[sn0border88]

It was put on before I bought the truck, but im sure it will help some. If you dont feel like paying for it you can just drill some large holes in your airbox(do a search on this) to help it out some as well.

 

[Patton]

Eh... jerry-rigging a 15 year old car doesn't appeal to me... especially considering my total lack of automotive knowledge. I'd rather spend money. I think I'll look at getting that KKM one.
This is a stupid question, but how much do you THINK the KKM helps? Or perhaps what is you current MPG?

 

[Patton]

What does Rhett mean here?
"bottom line is that the SOHC is much more fuel efficient than the OHV engine."

Also, what does people mean when they talk about "electric fans?"

Also, what is an Apten fuel economy program?

Granatelli MAF?

TB spacer?

What in the world is synthetic oil and what's the difference between it and conventional oil?

God I'm hopelessly over my head

 

[jimbo74]

What does Rhett mean here?
"bottom line is that the SOHC is much more fuel efficient than the OHV engine."

Also, what does people mean when they talk about "electric fans?"

Also, what is an Apten fuel economy program?

Granatelli MAF?

TB spacer?

What in the world is synthetic oil and what's the difference between it and conventional oil?

God I'm hopelessly over my head

welcome, do a search for all that stuff and you will fiond what you seek

 

[sn0border88]

In short, SOHC is more efficent beacuse of its design, an electric fan takes off the belt driven fan and slightly increases MPG and HP, an Apten, or any computer program for that matter modifies your trucks onboard computer in whatever way you want (ie: mileage, horsepower, torque), a aftermarket MAF slightly increases HP and economy because of airflow volume and the sensor readings for the MAF, and a TB spacer (throttle body) is suppost to increase your MPG but we have dyno proof that this is just money down the hole.

Before you ask anymore questions however, just search.

 

[Rhett]

What does Rhett mean here?
"bottom line is that the SOHC is much more fuel efficient than the OHV engine."

Arrrgh! I've been quoted!

Just remember that Rhett doesn't know what he's talking about, but he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. hahaha

 

[Rhett]

Oh, and to elaborate:

The 1st generation Explorers (91-94) have an OverHead Valve design (OHV) 4-liter V6 engine. It is a development of Ford's 2.8 and 2.9 liter V6's. It is often called a "Cologne" block after the German city, because that's where the engine was designed. It's not very fuel efficient--but it delivers good torque in relation to it's power output, and produces its power at relatively low rpms--good for offroad. Ford stopped putting this engine in Explorers in 2000 or 2001.

Some 97 and newer Explorers have the Single OverHead Cam (SOHC) 4-liter V6 engine. It is much more fuel efficient. It delivers it's best power at higher rpms than the OHV engine does.

Aldive gets 30+ mpg highway with his SOHC engine'd 2nd gen truck.
I have gotten 22 mpg highway with my OHV engine'd 1st gen truck, but not recently (I now run aggressive tread tires, and have an unaerodynamic visor, and heavy grill guard.) That drops me to 20 mpg hwy in general.

 

[Patton]

Many thanks. Sorry bout the search thing. Usually when I search all these terms are still in context, not explained. I just wanted bare-bones simplified definitions. Thanks for them.