General Technical & Electrical General technical and electrical discussion for the Ford Ranger that does not fit in any other sub-forum.

Does modifying my airbox improve mpg?

Old Feb 16, 2012
  #1  
blue's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Pasco, WA
Does modifying my airbox improve mpg?

I understand that many people are removing the snorkel and sometimes even widening the hole in the airbox. But widening everything seems like it would draw air from under the hood and not outside. does anyone have experience with this?

The reason I ask, is that my ranger is my dd, and I actually have to have a truck for work. Im currently getting 13.8mpg. I want to drive it until the wheels fall off and/or actually need a bigger truck. But I'm a bit concerned about gas going up. I've already ordered a catback system, coming in the mail. and im open to being a better driver/ down shifting less/ and possibly using mid-grade...im going to have to do a cost-per-mile evaluation.
 

Last edited by blue; Feb 16, 2012 at 03:34 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #2  
ranger4.0's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 2
From: cambridge, ontario
either way you will be sucking in the same air. the snorkel is entirely inside the airbox not pulling air from another source. i noticed no gains in power or fuel mileage at all when i removed my snorkel
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #3  
Scrambler82's Avatar
Old Guy User…
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,909
Likes: 78
From: SoCal
It will make more noise and you will think you have more power and push the gas harder to prove it AND your MPG will drop… lol.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #4  
Ford04Ranger4.0's Avatar
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,390
Likes: 3
From: Plattsburgh, New York
Originally Posted by Scrambler82
It will make more noise and you will think you have more power and push the gas harder to prove it AND your MPG will drop… lol.
Like a intake
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #5  
blue's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Pasco, WA
thanks for the feedback. I tried researching and couldn't get a difinitive answer, one way or another. definitely dont want to make the problem worse
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #6  
Blhde's Avatar
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 6
From: Northern IL
What problem?
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #7  
blue's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Pasco, WA
gas mileage is a constant problem haha. especially driving through the mountains all the time.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #8  
OTRtech's Avatar
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 14
From: Upstate,NY
I had to look up your profile.It would be nice if you could post the specs/mods on your truck in your sig.

Dump the 10.50 tires and go stock width. Your mpg will go up .That extra weight and road resistance is not helping.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #9  
blue's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Pasco, WA
its the Fx4 Level II... 10.5s are stock...but i hear what you're saying Ken. thanks
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #10  
Blhde's Avatar
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 6
From: Northern IL
14-16 city is about the best you can hope for, flat highway maybe 20.


If you actually need a truck then the ranger is to small and the mileage difference isn't significant. I have done worked in a v10 super duty before and it got about the same mileage as my 4.0 which is insane. My 4.6 CVPI gets better mileage all around, and its heavier.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #11  
blue's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Pasco, WA
yeah about 65mph i can get about 18-19... but since i took this job in the middle of nowhere, all the freeways are 70-75 mph. and with the cruise set at those speeds...im filling up all the time. example: spokane is about 135 miles away; it takes 2hrs and half a tank to get there:(
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #12  
blue's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Pasco, WA
and I've thought about a different truck. Ive just never had any problems with rangers and i really like the level II w/ standard transmission. they're pretty sturdy...a truck is a truck for a reason i guess; they aren't built for gas mileage. i was just wondering if i tweaked the airbox, whether i would see any benifits. i appreciate you guys breaking it down for me
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #13  
k.blakeley's Avatar
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
If you want gas mileage then go buy a 4cyl beater car and drive that, get 30mpg and keep miles off your ranger.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #14  
Redrider11's Avatar
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Garner,NC
you might want to look into tonneau cover, I got one and I noticed a difference in mpg i got a little over an extra 1 mpg. Programmers also help with mpg's.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2012
  #15  
Blhde's Avatar
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 6
From: Northern IL
Mile tune on a programmer and you may see a bump, better off checking your tires when you fill up. That will help the most.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
djphibes
2.3L & 2.5L I4 Tech
36
Jan 20, 2009 05:36 PM
Traveler5
General Ford Ranger Discussion
37
Apr 26, 2008 02:03 AM
SteveOh
General Technical & Electrical
18
Feb 12, 2007 09:26 AM
SouthernMudSlinger
New Ideas
12
Feb 2, 2007 09:57 PM
Rev
Suspension Tech
1
Jun 22, 2005 11:15 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:49 AM.