I am looking at selling my 98 Explorer and maybe replacing it with a 4x4 or awd car that is better on gas. We all know the Expo/Ranger 4x4 is not the best on fuel mileage. I average 15-18 mpg in the Explorer and my 2wd Ranger (4.0 5spd) has seen a best of 26 but average around 20-24mpg.

My thought.... In a listing I noticed an option I think for an explorer where they made 3.27 gears for a 4x4 in the Dana 35 IFS. So what if I get rid of the 3.73 or 4.10 that it comes with and bought the lower front gear and put them in a regular cab Flareside Ranger 4x4 4.0L 5spd (I see an 02 for sale). . I already have a set of rear gears from a Mustang. That is the lightest truck and throwing the highway gears in. My goal is I'd like to try and hit 30mpg with it. If that doesn't do it I would see if I could find 3.08 gears but I don't think they make them for the Dana 35 IFS.

Short of playing with speedo calibration and tires sizes (not really a concern) I think this is a doable thing. I have no interest in Blazing acceleration or going off road. I just want something that is "better" on gas and 4x4 for snow driving to work with retaining truck usefulness.

Lets have the opinions.. good or bad blast me I don't care. I'd probably also put shackles/flip kit and de-crank the torsions to lower it a bit too!! I know someone with a 2009 Ranger 4x4 and he lowered it and looks great.


Next crazy thought : 300MPG!! maybe more (yeah i said it) I just need some money

 

You may pick up a few MPG, but I'd doubt no where near 30. Aerodynamics are the enemy when it comes to any truck.

 

The money spent on re gearing, might as well put that into a car that gets 35+ mpg.

but i think there used to be a thread where a guy with an explorer with the 4.0 was getting well over 30 mpg with a bunch of mods. it was on explorerforums though.

 

Finding the ride that is AWD and 35+ for under 5000. Rough game. I should have said budgeted ranger build. I will have to check that explorer out. If I can be done on an explorer you can do it in a Ranger. If I could exceed 25 mpg I'd be happy with it. Anything more would be awesome

 

I think if you get 3.08 gears your going to loose mileage. Truck might have a hard time holding highway speeds.

 

x2. The only engine that might be happy w/3.27s is a 4.0 ohv.

Lowering does yield positive results, in both handling and fuel economy.

 

Bang on the money and exactly what I had in mind.

 

don't think you'll hit 30 mpg, but you'll see an increase for sure... don't forget to "add lightness" while you're at it...

 

Go buy a geo metro and drive it on days the weather isn't bad then drive your truck on days it is lol

 

Maybe I could Swiss cheese non important areas and remove all carpets and trims and AC components. Be like a factory lightweight.

And Lol I'll be sure to hit the washroom before every trip

 

This!!! If you buy a cheep car (less than $5000) that is dependable and gets good gas millage you can pay for it in saved gas in a couple years. I bought a saturn for this for about 3400 and it has paid for itself since i owned it.

 

Then you're left driving a stripped down POS of a truck. Keep the Explorer and buy a cheap beater car, like the suggested Metro. Or get a cheap motorcycle and get 50mpg.

 

swiss cheesing the non importants, yes. gutting the interior, no. ditch the a/c? maybe... tighten up the gaps in the panels in the front(cuts wind resistance), shave the handles and emblems(wind again) and lower it... you will notice a change