I generally can't get this '91 ranger xlt 3.0 any faster than 77mph going uphill on the highway (without waiting a few minutes), but today I drove with the tailgate down and noticed that I could make it to 80mph in less time.

Does the tailgate produce wind resistance?

Because of the reduced wind resistance, will the ranger accelerate faster on the highway (with a higher top speed) with the tailgate down, or is it all in my head?

And if my theory is true, then will it get better gas mileage with the tailgate down?

 

in your head

 

No, tailgate down creates more drag, not less. The prevailing wind direction was probably different today.

 

^ what he said....

the biggest thing that effects speed is head wind (the wind blowing directly at the front of your vehicle).........it will slow you down.....if the headwind was lighter today than normal, it will allow you to go faster......

going up hill the fastest you can get is 77? then your tranny has problems....your tranny will downshift and allow you to speed up or hold the same speed......or if you have a manual tranny, YOU need to downshift!

to answer your questions,

1. NO your tailgate didn't stop you from going those extra 3 mph...

2. NO driving with your tailgate down will NOT increase fuel milage....it has been proven that the tailgate up will give you BETTER fuel milage than with it down........do a search on the show "Myth Busters".......they did a show were they proved the tailgate down theory wrong....

 

i was just a few seconds late.....

 

you need to watch mythbusters baby!!

 

Yea check it out. It gets alittle off topic but they sort of explain it...

http://fordtruckworld.tenmagazines.c...ate_up_or_down

 

I was going to say the same thing...mythbusters rule!

 

it is an awsome show! some of the things they do is crazy!

 

X3

 

x4

 

nope, look under my profile for the thread i made on this

from best to worst
hard tonneau
soft tonneau
no cover(TG up)
tailgate down

at least that is what i was told

 

i just think the girl is fine, lol she's smart too, i like that

 

wayyy off topic I know...but Telemaster, in your signature you have a very intresting recipe. Is that seriously good?!?! How do you come up with that??

 

what happens when u have your tailgate up is the wind goes down into ur bed and creates downforce and also swirls makin a vortex almost. this alows wind to go right over your roof to then over the vortex so actully with the tailgate up it creates less drag. "watch mythbusters" all shown there

 

www.askaninja.com

 

ok, I'll keep the tailgate up

 

we do it for our halo parties and make up a gallon or so of it.
1/2 pepsi + 1/2 milk or 1/2 coke + 1/2 milk with a little powdered sugar

its not on ask a ninja its something we just came up with

but if you ever have time askaninja.com is hilarious........kinda like homestarrunner but better