Needing to get better fuel mileage out of my 2002 4.0 sohc. It is an AT, newer motorcraft plugs , recent fuel filter, just replaced the o2 sensors. It has about 135,000 miles on it. Its only getting about 16-17 mpg on the highway. Worse around town. Anybody able to get any better? PLEASE advise. Thanks. By the way, I'm new to this forum.

 

Not sure you'll be able to get much more mileage without spending some cash, I get 18-19 mpg and it's mostly highway. Try a k&n air filter, and search around the forum, this is a very common question.

 

Would you suggest a in the box K&n or an open air K&N? Thanks.

 

you will not be able to increase your milage UNLESS you plan on spending money......

the best way to improve your milage is to get a SCT XCalibrator 2 tuner ($415), a Underdog Performance under drive pulley ($240), an efan ($160), and so forth....you get the idea.....

but to be able to give you accurate information, we need to know more about your truck......like tire size, gear ratio, and so forth.....

also, create a signature so we know....

 

4x2 or 4x4? What gears? Stock size tires or oversized? What kind of tires? Any mods, like exhaust intake tuner? Give us some info....

Oh and welcome....

 

a tonneu(sp?) cover would also help

keep the rpms down (under 2500)

and liek the others said, tuner, pullies, intake, exhaust(magnaflow or borla SI/SO with good flow.)

 

take a look at what the epa says our rigs are supposed to get......16 city, 19 hiway......yea. about that.

Listen,

intake$200, exhaust$150-300+, tuner$400, etc etc. Light right foot helps too. staying away from 32" and up will help too. Alloy wheels will help...less rotating mass. Keeping truck empty of crap inside. I could go on.

Try out a product called "SeaFoam".

 

Doesn't have to be magnaflow or borla, I report some of the best mileage on here and I have a flow... But exhaust none the less...

 

I would be willing to spend the cash to gain mileage. It is a 4x4 auto hubs, 4.10 gears, tow package, stock 16in tires, 5r55e trans, no mods. All stock. Had a tonneau cover at one time, but it got trashed, and really didnt make a difference. MAybe 1 mpg. Also, does anybody on here discuss 4.0 ohv Explorers? I guess my question would be the same for a 4.0 ohv Ranger.
Has anybody had problems with running with e10 unleaded? My 91 explorer 4.0 ohv will always vapor lock in the fuel rail when I put this fuel in. I have had this documented that it is the problem. But, no body has an answer on how to fix it. Other than, "dont run e10 fuel". Ok, this is fine and good for now. But what happens when the one station I have found in my area, quits selling regualr unleaded?? I am regarding the unleaded that is 10% ethanol. Any info would be great.

 

Ok well then the mods listed above will net you some gains. When it comes time for new tires don't get BFG all terrains or any oversized knobby tires. They will hurt your mileage.

We do talk about OHV exploders, there are allot of people on here with Rangers that have the same motor. As far as yours locking up, I can't help you with that, but there are some good guys on here that I'm sure can....

 

Thanks for the info. This site seems to be a real good source of info.

 

if you switched to a 3.73 gear you will get better milage on the highway....

 

Maurice is correct. If you keep your stock tire size when you need to replace them, you really don't need 4.10's. It is however, not cheap to get them swaped out....

 

try a magnaflow and then see if you will say that again..

dont forget ive had a flowmaster at one time too, and a magnaflow and now i have a borla.

i know what the flowmaster does.

04+ will get better mpg they have a different program running on the PCM.

04+ has one less CAT too.

 

changing gears is the worse idea. leave the 4.10s.

 

hey 1 mpg is 1 mpg...

every mod will only yield 1-3 mpg...

just an example

2 mpg tuner
1 mpg intake
1 mpg tonneau
1 mpg pullies
1 mpg exhaust

that is 6 mpg gain...


but honestly i dont see you getting over 20-21 mpg ever with the 4.0...

the ranger just has too much drag...

only way to possibly go over 20-21 is the explorer express supercharger.

 

Didn't know that about the program, also, mine has 2 less cats...

Edit: I think I might just buy a magnaflow and weld it on with the same setup I have now, drive it for 6 months and see. I am intrigued...

 

not if he is looking for milage.....the lower rpms that a 3.73 gear will turn compared to a 4.10 at highway speeds will make a significant difference.......espically with a stock tire size......but that is my opinion...i mean Bill was getting 16 with his 4.10's and his 35's..........that should tell ya something....

 

ha you should! i got 2 mpg less when i switched from the magnaflow to the flowmaster.

with the magnaflow i got 18-20mpg with my 32s

 

lower rpms are not always that good. works the engine harder and it wont run as efficient.

 

Did you loose any torque? I need my torque for pulling....

 

For what it's worth.. with the proper scanner you can watch your engine load & fuel trims. That will tell you exactly which way consumes more/less power. Just do it on the same strech of road, same speeds, and same wind conditions.

Doing this with my autotap.. I was able to see 4-5ft lbs less torque avg used to maintain 70mph when I installed the underdrive and K&N.

Rich

 

you loose tq on the flowmaster.

D put his on the dyno with the flowmaster, magnaflow and other and got amazing numbers from the magnaflow.

that is what he runs. he has a similar truck config as yours.

oh and i used to pull a trailer all the time. no loss in torque...

 

My only concern with UDP is the water pump spinning slower, I need all the cooling I can get....

 

it cools fine......i will vouch for it cooling correctly.....

why you need cooling in MI? aint it always cold there