Aftermarket parts to improve MPG

[jgarcia0330]

Hello everyone,

I’m a first time truck owner but not a first time turbo owner. Im a former US Navy Diesel mechanic I know my way around an engine. But to be honest this is my first time owning a brand new car and a truck for that matter. I use my truck to drive around diesel repair shops around Michigan since is part of my job.

The point with all this is that I’m done with my racing days and now I’m more focused on reliability and fuel savings. I’ve been researching the internet to see how I can improve the MPG and lifespan of my Ranger.

My question is: If I install a Roush intake, hot/cold charge pipes and a Cat back with no tune. Would my MPG improve? Would it damage my engine? Would a tune just make it just use more fuel?

I would appreciate any tips. Apologies for the long post.

Cheers!!!

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[IdahoRanger]

Welcome Jose, and nice truck.

Of all the items you mentioned I've done only the tune and if you keep your foot out of it many have found a slight increase in mpg's. Even if you can't keep out of the boost with the tune you will at least have better and smoother shifting with the tune.

Some on this forum have done the intake and cat back changes so they will hopefully chime in.

Enjoy your new truck whichever way you go!

 

[jgarcia0330]

Thank you sir!! If you don’t mind me asking. We’re did you get your tune and what’s a ballpark price on it?

 

[Langwilliams]

I'm knocking down about 21 an that's the best winter mileage I've ever gotten. I don't think you can really add anything to help except maybe low resistance tires and or skinnier tires. I have a tune, leveled the front an added bigger tires. This combo kills mileag but I drive pretty easy 90% of the time an keep about stock numbers, 20 around town mid 20's on the highway.

Like was said I think it's all about how you drive an where. If you're doing 50 mph on a rural road with no stops you might get upper 20's, some say up to 30 occasionally. Get a boost gauge an keep it out of boost if you can, but that's no fun. I try not to complain about getting over 20 mpg from a truck but I hate shelling out the inflated prices we have lately.

 

[oldnslow]

Given how much effort Ford (and all the other mfgs) put into making their CAFE numbers, I doubt that their are any engine mods to be done to increase MPG. Those things you mentioned are to add power, and that will decrease your MPG. A hard bed cover (tonneau cover) might help a little.

 

[troutspinner]

Any modifications you make will cost you.....it begs the question, would that cost actually save you in costs over the long run? Here is a neat calculator to do some comparisons of overall fuel costs. https://www.carmax.com/research/mpg-calculator

For a quick example, let's say you drive 15K miles per year and gas is $3.50 per gallon. If you can squeeze 1 additional mile per gallon of gas, you would save roughly $125 per year. Achieving an actual return on your investment could be tough to achieve.

 

[jblc]

Like was said I think it's all about how you drive an where. If you're doing 50 mph on a rural road with no stops you might get upper 20's, some say up to 30 occasionally.

In principle i agree, but just to set expectations for the OP: I think the above statement depends on the specific ranger.
I get only 19 mpg highway: hand-calculated with super light foot, level, no wind, 60 mph, unloaded, good oil, proper tire inflation, etc etc. It's terrible mileage for a 2wd supercab. I complain about it all the time here...total bait and switch.

It's been this way since brand new, even when all was stock. It's a totally lemon truck mileage-wise, and no change in driving habits or add-ons impact that 19 mpg.
My '97 ranger got 27 mpg highway, so i know how to drive efficiently. The 5G rangers seem to be very hit and miss mileage-wise.

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