My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[CDW6212R]

The front airdam is more important than the rear, have you tried to find one like the EE piece?

 

[aldive]

Al, totally off subject ( I have a little under 2500 rpms at 70 btw) I was wondering if you noticed a difference in mileage when you added the lund windjammer? I'm trying to smooth out my aerodynamics and wondering if this mod is worth it.

Thanks.

Take a look at post # 490 in this thread.

 

[mikesparky]

I'm definitely planning on getting the EE airdam for the front, just curious about the windjammer.

Thanks Al, I had a feeling you had tested this at some point, just couldn't find it!

 

[masospaghetti]

I agree with al on this one, but i wouldent turn down the tortion bars... they are probabally correct... the leafs in the rear often start to sag over the years especially when towing.... if i were you i would either add a leaf, replace the springs, or get taller shackles. if you loosen the bars it will make the ride verry mushy and you will be more prone to hitting the bump stops.

good luck
matt

Wouldn't loosening the torsion bars just make the truck ride lower? Why would it effect the ride quality (other than possibly hitting the bump stops)?

 

[aldive]

Wouldn't loosening the torsion bars just make the truck ride lower? Why would it effect the ride quality (other than possibly hitting the bump stops)?

It definately does affect ride quality. In my case, when I was lo3w, the ride sucked pretty bad.

 

[CDW6212R]

The difference in spring rate is undetectable. The change is extremely insignificant, like from a 350lbs./in. to 345lbs./in. change. Any noticed difference will not be from a change of spring rate. I have had my two trucks at three different heights between them, the change is entirely about handling, better.

Raising the height changes the roll center, for the worse, and vice versa. With a truck two inches lower, it will take two inches less of compression(bump) to bottom out the suspension. Other than the bump stops, the ride is unchanged with an inch or two of height change. Regards,

 

[aldive]

The difference in spring rate is undetectable. The change is extremely insignificant, like from a 350lbs./in. to 345lbs./in. change. Any noticed difference will not be from a change of spring rate. I have had my two trucks at three different heights between them, the change is entirely about handling, better.

Raising the height changes the roll center, for the worse, and vice versa. With a truck two inches lower, it will take two inches less of compression(bump) to bottom out the suspension. Other than the bump stops, the ride is unchanged with an inch or two of height change. Regards,

None of what you say about the ride is/was true on my truck. The handling was improved but the ride sucked.

 

[mattferkey]

Wouldn't loosening the torsion bars just make the truck ride lower? Why would it effect the ride quality (other than possibly hitting the bump stops)?

when you loosen the bars the ride gets very soft and not only hits the bump stops sooner, but also easier because of the softer twist on the bars. the opposite also happens when you tighten the bars the bump stops will not be hit as quickly because of the increased distance and firmness.

 

[CDW6212R]

It doesn't get "very soft", the spring rate will decrease very slightly, but it will be nothing like swapping to actual softer springs. I purposely chose to buy new "B" bars when I lowered my truck the second time, to lesson the chance of bottoming out. I have a good bit rougher ride now because of those 4WD springs, I think that my original springs would have been fine to keep.

Al, did you get two alignments, one after lowering it, and another when you restored the height? An alignment is mandatory, any ride height change ruins the tire patch angle, and kills the ride/handling. If you "tested" it without an alignment, then that was not a fair test. Regards,

 

[Jakee]

I'm lowered by means of the torsion bars up front, and blocks in the rear (1-1/2") all the way around. I didn't notice a change in ride with the torsion bars, but I did notice when using the blocks. Why? I'm not sure.

Anyways, my sport has always rode rough because of the short wheelbase. I'm thinking about trying the eldelbock ISA performers for lowered vehicles. Maybe that will help?

 

[aldive]

Al, did you get two alignments, one after lowering it, and another when you restored the height?

Indeed.

 

[CDW6212R]

I'd suggest the Bilstein shocks, the 4WD versions. I have the IAS shocks, and no one else seemed to like them. I hadn't had any issues with them, not until I reached about 65k with them, using the truck on my route. The fronts are shot now, and I have the Bilsteins to go back on next.

 

[aldive]

I'm thinking about trying the eldelbock ISA performers for lowered vehicles. Maybe that will help?

I used them and was not happy with the ride; cured that issue with Rancho 9000x shocks.

 

[baseballX]

I put monroe sensa-trac shocks on about a year ago, been pretty satisfied with them. Breaking was noticibly more responsive. Recommended by my truck shop here if you mainly use your ex for on-road use.

 

[Glen4X4]

I got a 15 gal. tank and full i got around 420 somewhere in that ballpark, is that good? or bad I got the normal 4.0 pushrod motor.

 

[aldive]

I got a 15 gal. tank and full i got around 420 somewhere in that ballpark, is that good? or bad I got the normal 4.0 pushrod motor.

Doing the math with your numbers, thats equals 28 MPG. Thats is EXCELLENT mileage. Way to go.

 

[Glen4X4]

cool, I aint no math whiz : lol but thats pretty cool there isn't no mods done to the motor to make it have increased gas mileage or anything, I just don't beat the crap out of it I guess its all in how you press the pedal and when you shift gears.

 

[FROADER]

I got a 15 gal. tank and full i got around 420 somewhere in that ballpark, is that good? or bad I got the normal 4.0 pushrod motor.

Did you put a different tank in there? Your tank should be 19.3 gal. just like every other '92.

 

[Glen4X4]

Was pretty sure its a 15 gal. tank I coulda sworn that when I was below a quarter tank and filled it up that the gaspump said 13 gal....but now u got me wonderin because I do really find it hard to believe that my explorer would get that kind of gas mileage. the tank is stock

 

[Turdle]

Was pretty sure its a 15 gal. tank I coulda sworn that when I was below a quarter tank and filled it up that the gaspump said 13 gal....but now u got me wonderin because I do really find it hard to believe that my explorer would get that kind of gas mileage. the tank is stock

Fill your tank, then reset your odometer. Drive Truck. On next refill,divide miles driven by how many gallons it takes to refill. Your result is MPG

do this several times for an acccurate assesment.

It is not uncommon for the tank to have as much as 3 gallons in it, when the gauge reads "E".