My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[2000black&gold]

Wow

Well after spending two weeks slowly reading 71 pages, I'm done.

This thread has definitely taught me a lot. I've started monitoring my mileage and am looking at ways to improve.

Thanks Al for sharing your hard work with us! Keep up the good work!

Aric

 

[Rangerguy]

Hi All,

Thank to Al and everyone for this awesome article. I have a 2001 4.0L SOHC Ranger 4x4with stock Michelin P245/75/16.

My milage is not the greatest seems to be around 15-16 in town and if I really watch my driving I have broken 20 MPG on long trips a few times. Last camping trip to the Reno area from Central Calif was 23.4 MPG.
Is there a chip that will better my MPG for a Ranger? Also, what muffler would you recommend for increased MPG? Any?

My rig is stock, except for Mobil 1 Syn and I cut a few holes in the Air box.

Thanks,

 

[aldive]

Is there a chip that will better my MPG for a Ranger?

Look into an SCT XCal 2 or 3 with a custom tune written especially for gas mileage.

Also, what muffler would you recommend for increased MPG? Any?

A free flowing exhaust is essential for good mileage. You will need a cat back system, not just a muffler. I use a custom 2 1/2 inch cat back with a Flowmaster 70 muffler.

Good luck ....

 

[Rangerguy]

Thanks Al,

I will look into these items ASAP. Thanks again for a very informative and useful post!

Happy trails,

 

[corvet3640]

I just have to say to any nay sayers of 30+ I have a 97 x with the 5.0 totally stock at 120K I drove from Ct to ga with an unloaded lowboy trailer at 75+ mph result 13.5 mpg. return trip at 60 mph and a real gental foot including going through mountains of Pa was in 20-21 mpg. Clean dino oil all around. trialer was semi loaded on the ride home. had these numbers for awhile. Recently MPG tanked-found major vacuum leak at the PCV valve will see. A 4 liter with similar hp/toque specs (and if i am not mistaken a slightly lower rpm for max torque) + mods= good gas mileage

 

[aldive]

Maybe I have gone and done something to actually lower my gas mileage.

My current 130 amp alternator is failing, I have ordered a 200 amp replacement ( due here any day now ).

High amp alternators can cause a decrease in mileage. Time will tell.

 

[BrooklynBay]

If high amp alternators cause a decrease in mileage, then why did you order a 200 amp as a replacement for a 130 amp? Why would it decrease mileage?

 

[r37ribution]

I would think that a higher amp alternator would produce the same amount of required power as the old 130 amp with less rotations. The extra amps that your not using would just be available if needed.

The vehicle should only draw as much power as it requires, not the entire 200 amps all the time. It is possible at idle that the alt may use more hp with a UDP because typically with the slower belt there is not enough rpms on the alt pully to generate sufficient power out of the alt and the volts will drop below the running 14.4v creating a lager draw on the alt and causing more resistance in the windings/pully. But I believe Al has an overdrive alt pully installed as well which he may be able to remove with a 200amp alt, it just depends on how many rpms the alt requires to product 14.4 with the load he has.

Now if the entire 200 amps is being utilized or a fraction there of more than stock (i.e. if he has a sound system with cabin/sub amps) then more of the full potential of power the alt can produce would be used and the extra current draw would cause an increase in magnetic resistance in the windings of the alt in turn causing more resistance in the pully. This would drain a small amount of hp off the crank.

It will be interresting to see before/after dynos to see (same altitude, same ambiant air temp, same humidity, basically same day) if a higher amp alt does create more resistance with the same load, I don't believe it will because total input work should be the same as total output work as long as the efficiencies of both units are the same. He may even get more hp if the new unit is more efficient.

 

[r37ribution]

On a side note, those plugs I said I would post a pic of ages ago from NGK are ones NGK designs specifically for the RX7.

 

[aldive]

My new 200 amp alternator is in; we shall see if there is any mileage difference.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1887778#post1887778

 

[Brahmus]

Al, I want to thank you for taking the time and effort in keeping the population informed on this endeavor. I spent most of today reading and taking notes but I have a request or two. I notice you have changed mods over the course of 6 years. I have found the link in your sig to your truck, is this list current?

I came to this site/thread looking for ways to improve the fuel mileage on my beater (‘98 2WD 4dr OHV 4.0 Explorer). It has 152K on it but we use it as a runner and to haul the dogs around. Much more economical than my other vehicles. I'm getting about 20MPG and can't complain. But if you wouldn't mind, can you make a list, in your opinion, in order of “best bang for the buck” for noobies like myself looking to squeeze every mile out of a gallon and pinching pennies?

I’ve gotten that proper air pressure, driving habits and proper maintenance are the biggest impact, but what mechanical changes can be made, keeping the dollar in mind, that would result into more green in my pocket?

I think my first project will be fabricating a DIY intake. I also need to recalibrate my computer for the new tires, 205/75R15’s. (narrow is better!!) What is the cheapest way to do this in your opinion?

I’ll cut this off here as I am finding myself straying off topic, your results.

 

[aldive]

I notice you have changed mods over the course of 6 years. I have found the link in your sig to your truck, is this list current?

Yes, the following link is up to date on my mods:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137531

I will not hesitate to add/change a mod if something better comes along.

But if you wouldn't mind, can you make a list, in your opinion, in order of “best bang for the buck” for noobies like myself looking to squeeze every mile out of a gallon and pinching pennies?

Some of the things that will give a positive impact of gas mileage include:

underdrive crank pulley
underdrive water pump pulley
e fan
air intake
cat back exhaust with 2 1/2" pipe
computer tune(s)
front air dam
tire air pressure ( I run 40psig in mine )
all fluids to synthetic
synthetic wheel bearing grease
roof rack removal

monitor O2 sen(s) function via an OBD II scanner.

I think my first project will be fabricating a DIY intake.

Anything wrong with a manufactured one? such as a Mac?

I also need to recalibrate my computer for the new tires, 205/75R15’s. (narrow is better!!) What is the cheapest way to do this in your opinion?

I would recommend doing it via computer tune. I use an SCT XCal 2 tuner.

 

[aldive]

Is there a chip that will better my MPG for a Ranger?

I would recommend a computer tune rather than a chip. I use SCT's XCal2 tuner.

Also, what muffler would you recommend for increased MPG? Any?

I use a Flowmaster 70 with a 2 1/2 " custom cat back.

My rig is stock, except for Mobil 1 Syn and I cut a few holes in the Air box.

I would suggest getting rid of the stock air box and going with an open filter/intake. I use a Mac with an Amsoil EaA filter.

I have a 2001 4.0L SOHC Ranger 4x4with stock Michelin P245/75/16.

Those wider tires are not helping at all with your mileage.

 

[Fantasymon]

Al,

I'm sure you mentioned this somewhere in the 71 pages of this thread, but can you please tell me why you switched from the KKM to the "MAC" and then to the Amsoil filter? I know you originally had the KKM.

I've have my KKM for about 6 years. I know you are very biased towards Amsoil but is it worth switching to and is it a permanent filter like the KKM?

Thanks

 

[aldive]

I'm sure you mentioned this somewhere in the 71 pages of this thread, but can you please tell me why you switched from the KKM to the "MAC" and then to the Amsoil filter? I know you originally had the KKM.

The KKM is only a filter and an adapter, the Mac is a complete intake.

I've have my KKM for about 6 years. I know you are very biased towards Amsoil but is it worth switching to and is it a permanent filter like the KKM?

Thanks

I am biased to whatever is the best option for me.

The Amsoil EaA filter is the best available currently.

 

[Brahmus]

Anything wrong with a manufactured one? such as a Mac?

Price. The goal is a budget commuter. I would also like to Baffle the filter. Sucking cooler air from outside the engine compartment is better, might even hook up a "ram air" tube. I've got to think i can build one cheaper than $160ish.

I'll have to get started on this list. I do have an extra efan laying around that would fit perfectly!!

What websites do you suggest for parts?

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

Price. The goal is a budget commuter. I would also like to Baffle the filter. Sucking cooler air from outside the engine compartment is better, might even hook up a "ram air" tube. I've got to think i can build one cheaper than $160ish.

I'll have to get started on this list. I do have an extra efan laying around that would fit perfectly!!

What websites do you suggest for parts?

Great Products, Great Prices

Check out my thread about my custom intake. I went with the cheap chrome tube for now (college student) but will be upgrading to polished over the summer. Great stuff and you can make anything you can imagine. Check out www.spectreperformance.com as well. Has all their products and you can join there forum if you need additional help.

Good luck bro.

 

[AERBROCONVIL]

Technically you can't develop 200 amps with the current belt. I think it has to be a 6 or 8 rib belt to do such. There is too much slippage above 140-150 to continually put out 200 amps.

 

[aldive]

Technically you can't develop 200 amps with the current belt. I think it has to be a 6 or 8 rib belt to do such. There is too much slippage above 140-150 to continually put out 200 amps.

Please explain.

 

[aldive]

I have spent many hours lately in setting up several new computer tunes designed for maximum gas mileage. I have made some radical changes.

These tunes were setup in Advantage III software and uploaded into my XCal2 and then installed into the truck.

Each of the new tunes are based on using 89 octane fuel.

Each will be highway tested in the near future.

Stay tuned for results ....