Unlike the OP's Ranger, I have a 4x4. I was wondering if manual locking hubs would improve MPG as a mod? Anybody done this on a newer Ranger? Only info I could find was for old model Rangers.

 

I wanted to do that to mine too, but after some research decided its not worth it. You have to change out a lot of the front end parts, so it would cost many times the gas you would save.

 

That's what he was implying...

 

Light wieght 15x6 aluminum wheels with 195-70r15 tires. Inflate tires to 55 PSI. Keep the engine's RPMs low as possible. You will improve MPG.

 

I just got my 98 Ranger about a week ago and it is bone stock with 85K. I have been planning on seing what I can do to inprove mpg at reasonable cost too. I an going to start with elec. fan. This will save the power loss too. I am going to go with K&N replacement filter as the stock air intake does not look like iti s restrictive at all. An electric water pump would be nice but they are expensive and I don;t know if anyone makes one for a 3.0. I plan on MSD coil pack new wires and E3 plugs, mostly because they are all 14 years old and have got to be getting weak. The next big helper you can do is exhaust, the stock is not too bad but you can save a ton of weight with and aftermarket and bring the pipe out the side al-la NASCAR.All of this will probably get 2-3 mpg but it will also improve drivability. Does anyone have experience with an aftermarket tuner this could be the best bang for the buck but I have read mixed reviews on mpg improvement.

 

Oldranger--

Stay away from E3's, they don't work well/last long on these Rangers. Get Motorcraft or Autolite double plats.

 

Lol 55 psi on a passenger rated tire is a bit past the 44 maximum. Also any gain in mileage will be offset multiple times by the cost of your tires wearing out multiple times faster than they should. Your only bet is to run your advised pressure, it's more cost effective in the long run, and that's what it all boils down to... Money.