subquark
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- David
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2022
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- 11
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- 4,544
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- Portsmouth, NH
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- subQuark.com
- Vehicle(s)
- Soupie! Race Red '22 XL 101A Scab 4X2 w/steelies
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- game publisher
In all seriousness to a bit of an odd thread. If you are so serious as to talk about tiny spares (dump the spare, just get a Triple AAA card or plug kit) and using Helium, which would leak out fairly quickly, then I'd suggest doing some aerodynamic skinning. Such as this under engine example:
Or more extreme like this:
Bed mods, maybe not as extreme as above, small spoilers, and the wheel covers could yield some very slight improvements.
Lowering the truck and, as stated above, weight - that's possible.
Weight is a big thing because the shape isn't aerodynamic and it takes energy to move weight:
F=ma
Because of the tremendous air friction, you're constantly accelerating when driving forward. I don't mean like stepping on it, I mean in maintaining your speed, you constantly have to "literally" pour in more energy.
Every pound reduced will increase efficiency. Whether that's losing 50 pounds yourself, or taking out the spare. The few grams of helium vs. atmospheric air is last in your list of mods.
Nitrogen is used, with much better success and has a few things going for it. First, it has less friction with itself inside a tire. So rotational momentum is helped in an MPG-focused discussion. Also, Nitrogen leaks out less than normal air and tire pressure is better maintained.
One poorly inflated tire can throw away MPG like mad.
A smaller and narrower tire that is lighter and properly inflated can make a measurable difference. But getting to that ideal inflation state is more than what the door sill says and I don't know how a layperson could ever get it 100% optimal.
At the end of the day, the Ford Ranger isn't built to get good MPG. My little 2005 Scion got 38 MPG and my 2022 Ranger gets 17, despite years of design and engineering improvements.
Wanna haul a bunch of dirt or pull a trailer, then get a Ranger.
Want good mileage? Know that the options are limited and extreme.
Good luck and let us know what you do and the results you get, that'll get the positive attention of most of us.
Or more extreme like this:
Bed mods, maybe not as extreme as above, small spoilers, and the wheel covers could yield some very slight improvements.
Lowering the truck and, as stated above, weight - that's possible.
Weight is a big thing because the shape isn't aerodynamic and it takes energy to move weight:
F=ma
Because of the tremendous air friction, you're constantly accelerating when driving forward. I don't mean like stepping on it, I mean in maintaining your speed, you constantly have to "literally" pour in more energy.
Every pound reduced will increase efficiency. Whether that's losing 50 pounds yourself, or taking out the spare. The few grams of helium vs. atmospheric air is last in your list of mods.
Nitrogen is used, with much better success and has a few things going for it. First, it has less friction with itself inside a tire. So rotational momentum is helped in an MPG-focused discussion. Also, Nitrogen leaks out less than normal air and tire pressure is better maintained.
One poorly inflated tire can throw away MPG like mad.
A smaller and narrower tire that is lighter and properly inflated can make a measurable difference. But getting to that ideal inflation state is more than what the door sill says and I don't know how a layperson could ever get it 100% optimal.
At the end of the day, the Ford Ranger isn't built to get good MPG. My little 2005 Scion got 38 MPG and my 2022 Ranger gets 17, despite years of design and engineering improvements.
Wanna haul a bunch of dirt or pull a trailer, then get a Ranger.
Want good mileage? Know that the options are limited and extreme.
Good luck and let us know what you do and the results you get, that'll get the positive attention of most of us.
Sponsored
Last edited:
around 20 psi.
