Skid plate and MPG

[Dextrose]

I have a 2wd Ranger(no skid plate) and avg about 22mpg. My buddy bought a new 4x4 and he's getting 23mpg. I know that driving technique / habits all play a role, but I wonder if a skid plate on my 2wd truck would make any improvement? I know that a more laminar flow underneath would help, but by how much? Any thoughts?

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[Vitis805]

I don’t think it would make a noticeable difference, and unless you have front tow hooks the factory skid plate will not mount up to a RWD.

 

[VAMike]

The 4wd gets worse fuel economy, this is all down to driving habits

 

[BHunted]

Wanna spend a couple bux, try one of these. Love mine. I leave it in auto mode most of the time and my truck gets an average of 23.8 to 25.5 depending. It has 20 modes and can turn your truck into a mom pot truck or an F16 fighter jet that requires a 5 point harness to adapt to the extra G-Force.
https://idrive-usa.com/collections/...e-controller-to-suit-ford-ranger-2019-onwards

 

[Dextrose]

Wanna spend a couple bux, try one of these. Love mine. I leave it in auto mode most of the time and my truck gets an average of 23.8 to 25.5 depending. It has 20 modes and can turn your truck into a mom pot truck or an F16 fighter jet that requires a 5 point harness to adapt to the extra G-Force.
https://idrive-usa.com/collections/...e-controller-to-suit-ford-ranger-2019-onwards

WOW! The iDRIVE looks cool. I like the economy mode option. Would this be compatible with my Livernois tune? Is it easy to install?

 

[Langwilliams]

If you haven't calibrated your computers mgp or using hand calculated numbers you don't know what your mpg is. Mine was off by about 1.3...i got it dialed in to being off by less that .3 an sometimes it's right on my hand calculated. 2 wd should be better IMO unless you're a hot rodder an he drives like a grandma. I flip between the two driving styles myself.

 

[Trigganometry]

Wanna spend a couple bux, try one of these. Love mine. I leave it in auto mode most of the time and my truck gets an average of 23.8 to 25.5 depending. It has 20 modes and can turn your truck into a mom pot truck or an F16 fighter jet that requires a 5 point harness to adapt to the extra G-Force.
https://idrive-usa.com/collections/...e-controller-to-suit-ford-ranger-2019-onwards

This looks to be a nice alternative to the step up to flash tunes. For 200 bucks and a 30 day no questions asked return policy it’s definitely worth looking at. Thanks for the link, I hear that sucking sound on my wallet again! ?

 

[Langwilliams]

This looks to be a nice alternative to the step up to flash tunes. For 200 bucks and a 30 day no questions asked return policy it’s definitely worth looking at. Thanks for the link, I hear that sucking sound on my wallet again
[/QUOTE

It may not leave fingerprints in the ecm either so removing it before a service visit might make it more warranty friendly....

 

[BHunted]

WOW! The iDRIVE looks cool. I like the economy mode option. Would this be compatible with my Livernois tune? Is it easy to install?

You'd best call them. They are very helpful..... Just realize, this is not a tune. It just controls the way your throttle reacts to your foot pressure sort of speak.

 

[BHunted]

You don't even have to remove it. It doesn't show, but you can turn it off/factory mode. Either way, it takes about 5 mins to install, Maybe less if your shoulder isn't messed up like mine.

 

[PltFX4]

This could be interesting... maybe. I get what I think is disappointing mileage. Generally, less than 13 mpg.
Here are factors I know are not helping... but I still thin they should not cause THAT much difference.
1. 4x4 FX4
2. Ford Performance tune
3. The 18" wheels and slightly taller tires
4. Only have 2k miles on the vehicle

This week I had to drive 120 miles on 95% freeway miles with cruse control set at 70mph. Got 16 mpg average. Best I have seen.

 

[Langwilliams]

This could be interesting... maybe. I get what I think is disappointing mileage. Generally, less than 13 mpg.
Here are factors I know are not helping... but I still thin they should not cause THAT much difference.
1. 4x4 FX4
2. Ford Performance tune
3. The 18" wheels and slightly taller tires
4. Only have 2k miles on the vehicle

This week I had to drive 120 miles on 95% freeway miles with cruse control set at 70mph. Got 16 mpg average. Best I have seen.

That sounds really bad. This past week I did a 90 miles trip (45 each way) getting gas an resetting the tripometer right before jumping on the highway an got 23. That was after letting it warm up 10 min before the drive back. I showed 26 mpg when I got to my son's house. I had surgery 3 weeks ago an I've been off work....just driving around town for food an stuff I'm averaging 17.3.

I don't know what you should check except do hand calculations an check if it has too much oil. I think mine came overfilled...it had the high oil level with gas smell but it went away after doing the first oil change early.

 

[OFC Ranger]

This could be interesting... maybe. I get what I think is disappointing mileage. Generally, less than 13 mpg.
Here are factors I know are not helping... but I still thin they should not cause THAT much difference.
1. 4x4 FX4
2. Ford Performance tune
3. The 18" wheels and slightly taller tires
4. Only have 2k miles on the vehicle

This week I had to drive 120 miles on 95% freeway miles with cruse control set at 70mph. Got 16 mpg average. Best I have seen.

Look at my truck showcase or build thread.

I get 18mpg on highway running 5star 93 performance with 70mph cruise control. Lots of rolling hills my area. I have probably the worst aerodynamics of any ranger on the road (outside of towing) due to the custom rack and various widgets on it. That sounds terrible.

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