I rececently traded in a P.O.S. Z3 with multiple problems and crazy payments and am now the proud owner of a 97 ranger.
I love this truck! I can haul SH!T and no payments.

However, I've been a little disapointed in the gas mileage. Admittedly I've had to modify my driving habits. In the Z the speedometer usually hung out right at the 80mph mark... ok maybe a little higher (in OK the speed limit where I drive is 75).

When I first started driving the Ranger I kept the speed about the same and was getting 16 mpg... ouch... So I bumped it down to 70 and the mpg jumped up to 21... still not too good for a 4 cyl. So I modified my route to work to keep off the freeway and now just stick to the highway where the speed limit is 55. Driving 55 my mpg has jumped up to 26... which is much nicer... It's saving me about $40 a month. I really want to get my mpg into the 30's, so I've been looking at some aftermarket products.

All that to get to my first question.

1a. Air Intake - I've been looking at a K&N intake system. Assuming I don't increase my mph should I expect to see an increase in my mpg?

1b. If this will increase my mpg which K&N product should I buy. At different sites I'm seeing different product numbers. I've seen an FIPK part number 57-2535 and I've seen an Aircharger part number 63-1034 or 63-1049. Which of these is right for my 97 2.3?

2a. Using the same reasoning. Will a less restrictive exhaust also improve the mpg?

3a. Computer modification - Superchip, Jet, or Diablo computer chip?

4a. Which order should I put these in? air,exhaust,chip - air, chip, exhaust - exhaust , air, chip - exhaust, chip, air - chip, air, exhaust - chip, exhaust, air.

I might be totally off on all of this mpg stuff. If so please explain. I'm a science teacher and am quite interested. Also the savings works like a bonus to my paycheck... which is abysmal.

I've seen quite a few threads on this board about mods and what not to increase power but haven't seen any which deal with mods which increase mpg.

Thanks

Welcome to the site!

I have an F-150, first I added an AirRaid intake, got a few more MPG, then a Chip, more MPG, and flowmasters, havent noticed anything.

Also, I got a bed cover, thats the best increase in MPG I have seen so far, it is an Extang Black Max.

I also have a 4.10 rear end and have given up trying to get good gas mileage, my truck is big and heavy, I can deal with it. Gas is cheap.

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1999 F-150 AirRaid, 4.10 gears, tint, superchip, see my gallery for more.

put some fuel injector cleaner to clean out those injectors

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1999 exploder sport dropped on 20"
still hear me commin up the block

I would go intake, exhaust, chip....as far as increased mpg with those mods I dont know. You will gain a little horsepower and better throttle response

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98 xlt, dropped 3/5. 17in. CHROME Cobra wheels wrapped in 255/50/17, billet grille, dumped flowmaster 40 series, clear corners, euro tails, indiglo guages, TWEED Interior, painted interior, silver flame pinstripe, 5% Limo tint all around, K&N, Viper alarm, 60/40 to bucket conversion, 4.10 gears
SOLD 10/29/03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2003 Dodge SRT4


Mopar Stage 1 | Mopar STS | BDJ's exhaust | HKS SSQ BOV | IPP CAI | ATP Upp | Autometer pillar pod with dual gauges | DC sports Strut bar | 9007 PIAA Extreme whites | Eurolite 893 Fog lights | Titan turn signals | Clear side markers | Intercooler Neon | Viper emblem | Exel Ennio wheels | MM inserts | Catch Can | Custom racing stripes |More to come.

drop it to get more areodynamic lol

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1999 exploder sport dropped on 20"
still hear me commin up the block

intake exhaust chip... always....

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'98 Ranger XLT 2.5L 4cyl 4x2
3'' Pro comp suspension lift w/ pro comp ES9000 shocks, 31/1050r15 pro comp AT's, Python Alarm, Dual 40's series Flowmasters, KKM Cold Air Intake, JDM Black Euro Tails, Black Smittybilt Roll bar, housing 2 hella 500 driving lights, Pro Comp Push Bar w/ 6" Pro Comp Stainless 130w spotlights, Passport 8500 Radar Detector, Black Steelhorse Steps, 2 10'' Solobaric L710's, devouring 1750 watts, MTX door speakers, Panasonic head unit Sirius Satellite radio, lots of neon... etc...

http://home.mn.rr.com/t1camp1/Focus.swf

If you are going to run alot of freeways it may be in your best interest to remove the tailgate. Tailgates can cause more drag than most people know, cupping air streaming over your cab. I dont recommend simply lowering tailgates for two reasons; If you get rear-ended soft or hard, your out a tail gate and the constant weight can wear out the bushings in the hinge and your cables. I think you might find at least a 2mpg or more increase by that alone.

Jeremy

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One big ass 390... One small ass F100... Donuts anyone???

Two words....Tonneau Cover

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98 xlt, dropped 3/5. 17in. CHROME Cobra wheels wrapped in 255/50/17, billet grille, dumped flowmaster 40 series, clear corners, euro tails, indiglo guages, TWEED Interior, painted interior, silver flame pinstripe, 5% Limo tint all around, K&N, Viper alarm, 60/40 to bucket conversion, 4.10 gears
SOLD 10/29/03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2003 Dodge SRT4


Mopar Stage 1 | Mopar STS | BDJ's exhaust | HKS SSQ BOV | IPP CAI | ATP Upp | Autometer pillar pod with dual gauges | DC sports Strut bar | 9007 PIAA Extreme whites | Eurolite 893 Fog lights | Titan turn signals | Clear side markers | Intercooler Neon | Viper emblem | Exel Ennio wheels | MM inserts | Catch Can | Custom racing stripes |More to come.

true that, or trade it in for an SUV :)

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"I drink too much. The last time I gave a urine sample it had an olive in it."

I like the idea of the tonneau cover... my father in law had one installed on his truck. He spent crazy cash on it though ($1k+). I've seen one at Autozone which is less than $70 it's not a hard cover though. Will this make a difference?

my friend just had a hard cover put on his 96 ranger and i know it didnt cost him nearly that much....

ill ask him what he paid and get back to you

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"I drink too much. The last time I gave a urine sample it had an olive in it."

if it were me i'd say.....intake, exhaust, maybe chip.....try to get as much restriction off that motor as you can. If it's bearable turn off the a/c and roll down the windows..i know that those a/c compressors can rob them 4 cyl's of power and gas mileage. As far as the tail gate....if you're not going to get a tonneau cover keep it up!!! contrary to popular belief, it will give you higher gas mileage! it creates a "bubble" of air in the bed pushing the bed down on the pavement!....thats alli can say i have the 2.3 too

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2000 Ranger xlt - 4x4 off road package, K&N intake, flowmaster 40 series, cranked torsion bars, autometer dual pillar pod w/ gauges. Who knows what's next...sold and replaced with 99 Jeep Wrangler 4.0

I checked on the cover today... unfortunatly I'm going to have to get rid of my current bedliner first... The one that is in it is one of those drop in ones... I hate it and have intentions of replacing it with a sprayed in liner but I think I'll probably end up needing a new paint job after I take it out so I've kinda been holding off on even thinking about it.

Anybody been able to figure out which K&N system I need?

k&n doesnt make an intake for the 4banger... i belive www.kustomz.com has one...

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'98 Ranger XLT 2.5L 4cyl 4x2
3'' Pro comp suspension lift w/ pro comp ES9000 shocks, 31/1050r15 pro comp AT's, Python Alarm, Dual 40's series Flowmasters, KKM Cold Air Intake, JDM Black Euro Tails, Black Smittybilt Roll bar, housing 2 hella 500 driving lights, Pro Comp Push Bar w/ 6" Pro Comp Stainless 130w spotlights, Passport 8500 Radar Detector, Black Steelhorse Steps, 2 10'' Solobaric L710's, devouring 1750 watts, MTX door speakers, Panasonic head unit Sirius Satellite radio, lots of neon... etc...

http://home.mn.rr.com/t1camp1/Focus.swf

I am getting a Tonneau in a week or so....$170

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98 xlt, dropped 3/5. 17in. CHROME Cobra wheels wrapped in 255/50/17, billet grille, dumped flowmaster 40 series, clear corners, euro tails, indiglo guages, TWEED Interior, painted interior, silver flame pinstripe, 5% Limo tint all around, K&N, Viper alarm, 60/40 to bucket conversion, 4.10 gears
SOLD 10/29/03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2003 Dodge SRT4


Mopar Stage 1 | Mopar STS | BDJ's exhaust | HKS SSQ BOV | IPP CAI | ATP Upp | Autometer pillar pod with dual gauges | DC sports Strut bar | 9007 PIAA Extreme whites | Eurolite 893 Fog lights | Titan turn signals | Clear side markers | Intercooler Neon | Viper emblem | Exel Ennio wheels | MM inserts | Catch Can | Custom racing stripes |More to come.

I found this on the K&N site.... are they not making this one anymore?

Year Make Model Type Engine Type Part Number Description Comment
1997 FORD Ranger TRUCK 2.3L L4 F/I E-0995 Air Filter All
1997 FORD Ranger TRUCK 2.3L L4 F/I 57-2535 FIPK Manual Trans only
1997 FORD Ranger TRUCK 2.3L L4 F/I HP-3001 Oil Filter (A)

4 cylinder rangers have so little power that you have to stay on the gas to stay up with traffic cause if you let off it you will slow down fast....get a 4.0...:-)

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built ford tough,no dodge can hold me down...

just get the 3.0

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1999 exploder sport dropped on 20"
still hear me commin up the block

4.0s are better, but i keep my tailgate down and get halfway decent gas milage. i have a 2.9 so its not all that bad, but i think it makes the truck look better overall with it down

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1986 Ford Ranger 2.9 V6 5spd
2000 Stock Ranger Rims
Saturn Bucket Seats
Diamond Plate Toolbox
Custom Tube Bumpers
Sony Head Unit
2 Blaupunkt 6x9s
Dixie Horn
SunPro MiniTach
Clear Bumper Lights
More Mods to Come
Check out my truck HERE

I'll be ripping out the drop in liner that's currently in the truck shortly and am replacing it with something different. After doing that I should be able to put on a cover. Right now I can't find a cover that I like that will work with the drop in I have.

Here's a question for the group:

I saw a Ranger with a brushed in liner and it looked really good, I was quite surprised. Other than some brush marks here and there the differences weren't that noticeable. Considering the cheapest quote I've had on having it sprayed in professionaly was $400 I've decided to go with the brush-in. The brush-in stuff this guy used cost about $40 a coat.

However, provided the truck is properly taped off and I have the proper equipment (which I do), is there any reason why I can't spray in a brush on liner? Will the brush-in mess up the gun? etc...

I'd love to hear your all's comments.

As to the last few posts getting a larger engine goes against what I am trying to do. I don't care about power that much. I don't care about top end speed. My previous car was a Z3, no way is the ranger ever going to be able to outperform it regardless of what I do to it. However it should be able to get better MPG.

Also I did a little experimenting. I did some highway driving the other day on a trip to Tulsa ~100 miles from OKC. I filled up right before I got on the turnpike drove to the halfway point with my tailgate up then filled up and drove the rest of the turnpike with my tailgate down and filled up again. I did the same thing on the way home. After it was all said and done. My MPG were as follows:

Tailgate up - 55 mph - 25.6 mpg
Tailgate down - 55 mph - 25.3 mpg

admittadly this is only one trial - I will try it again the next time I go to Tulsa and see what happens.