<me> Hi, my name is Eric, and I'm a Ford guy driving a Chevy.
<you guys> Hi Eric!
<me> So can you guys help me?
<you guys> SURE!

I'm considering a Ranger, but I need a 4x4 and would like to have flex fuel. So far, I've only seen 3.0's with supercabs on them that were ffv. Did they make a 4.0 ffv? Also, being a n00b to the rangers what should I know (besides the 3.0 being a 3.slow?)

I have a 97 S10 2.2 that I can't stand because it's sooo slow (I have a subwoofer wall in my truck and 28" tires that don't help any).

Also, if the only way to get a 4x4 ffv would be the 3.0, I saw there was a supercharger kit...but is there anyone making a turbo setup? I don't care for s/c's, but I like boost.

TIA,
Eric

 

Oh yeah, also what tranny options do I have?

Eric

 

You're talking an '05-06?

 

Can't afford new. Looking at around 00...which is why I'm asking...no longer on their site :)

Sorry should have said that.

Eric

 

aight...

no they dont make a 4.0 FFV.

the 3.0 is a reliable engine.

No turbo kit is made for the 3.0.

Superchargers still give boost.

Im not sure a whipple S/C will work with a FFV engine.

 

Could always build a turbo system yourself, but expect to shell out almost 5 grand to get it done.

 

i only know the older like 00 i think have the ffv in the 3.0's only havent seen an older 4.0 tho only the new ones

 

also i test drove a 3.0 its not a bad engine it actualy felt pritty good and maby save a small amount of $ on gas

 

Why are you wanting to get a FFV so bad? Do you actually have stations that sell the flex fuel where you live?

I have never seen the fuel type anywhere, but I hear its in the midwest somewhere. I don't think it actually gives you any better gas mileage than regular gas, but I haven't seen anyone use it on the ranger sites I go on.

 

i know right i have never seen the flex fuel anywhere around me!

 

you cant get "Flex fuel". FFV allows you to run ethanol. and it doesnt give better gas mileage its better for the environment

 

I want to run e85, because I'm sick of the very expensive prices at the pump now. I'm from Winchester, IN...which has several plants in the works soon. The reason beyond that though, is that you can put boost on an e85 motor and it will make more power (detonates less easily).

Besides, even if there's not a plant nearby you can set up a whiskey still...make some darn good fuel! Seriously though, you can make grain alcohol at home (yeah its called moonshine for the uninformed) and you can even sell it legally as fuel--provided you have a small fuel producers license. Just make it at home, and mix in 15% gasoline in there. :D

Eric

 

Well how much cheaper is the ethanol fuel?

 

According to a semi-local paper, prices are about $2.20 a gallon for e85...gas is $2.70 right now. As production of e85 goes up, price will come down, and price should stay steady instead of jumpin' constantly.

http://www.wabashplaindealer.com/art...ews/state5.txt

Eric

 

^

Here in Wisconsin E85 is about 1.70 a gallon and has been all summer and as far back as I can remember. There is hardely any tax on it because it is really clean burning. On Ford's site the new 4.0 FFV for the sport trac says it has more torque and hp than the gas one.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/exp...eatures/specs/

And in the paper they did a unofficial test with it and ran 3 vehicles. A 2000 Ranger and two 2000 something taurus. The ranger had 16.5 mpg on a course (Running certain street at a certain time) and the two cars had 21. Then they put E85 the next week and did the same course and got 15.4 on the ranger and both cars about 19.5. So the gas mileage wasn't really different. It'd be nice to know someone that really has tried it though...


But to go along with everyone else on the Q at hand... For rangers the 3.0 is the only one that is set to run E85. I haven't heard about running boost on E85 either. If it is possible then maybe we'll have an alternative fuel quicker than we thought. I went by a new plant doing college visits and read in that same article that if ethanol was truly considered that it would be possible to convert a lot of corn fields for ethanol production.

 

Fuel economy using E85 is about 20~25% less than with regular gasoline because ethanol contains less energy per gallon. When running E85, FFVs are calibrated to change the closed loop air/fuel ratio from 14.7:1 to about 10:1. The reduced miles per gallon offsets the lower cost per gallon, to a great extent, making E85 comparable to gasoline on a cost per mile basis.

You should never use E85 in any vehicle except an FFV specifically designed for high percentage ethanol blends. For Rangers, this includes some 3.0L's built from 1999 to 2003. You can find out if your 3.0L Ranger is an FFV by checking to see if the 8th character of the VIN is a "V". There is also a label inside the fuel door.

Using E85 in a Ford FFV changes the maintenance schedule and requires more frequent oil and spark plug changes.

 

good question about ffv running boost...never thought about that....

 

I'm somewhat unfamiliar with Rangers, but I know the S10's have upgraded fuel systems in them because the guys with the ffv 2.2's can use their stock pump and the normal guys like me have to get inline pumps or new intank ones.

Eric

 

To make a normal vehicle run with E85 would take a new fuel tank, lines, new pump, new valves and a heck of a lot more. FFV vehicles are the only ones that can run E85 safely as Bob said.

But yes, the FFV rangers have an upgraded fuel system to withstand the alcohol.

 

LilFord...I found out yesterday that it is ILLEGAL to upgrade a non-ffv truck to ffv...wth is up with that?

I found that out and emailed both of my senators. It's crap.

Eric

 

^ bob, thanks for that info!

i actually learned something today. :)

 

I just checked my labels yesterday. On my 03, there's no VIN number on the fuel door label. The VIN number appears on a plate that's on the corner of the driver's side dash where the dash meets the bottom of the window and it also appears on the info provided on the driver's side door jam.

 

I think he meant there would be a label indicating the vechicle was a FFV on the inside of the fuel door. Meaning you can check for the 'V' in the VIN and/or look for the label inside the fuel door.

 

Yes, NHBubba is exactly right. 8th number of vin = v (on dash or anywhere you see the vin), and there's a ffv logo or marking on the fuel door.

Eric

 

Because it is probabaly near impossible to get everything over to run the alcohol. If you miss one thing you could spring a leak = fire = boom = bye bye world.

Don't try it.