So I just bought a great 99 ranger 2.5 and I want to put a shell on it for my dogs and also store my valuables a little bit safer than an open bed. I am just worried about the draw backs of losing power and MPG. Will there even be a noticeable loss of power and MPG? If so any Ideas to negate the effects of adding the shell?

 

i really don't think you'll be losing power but i could see losing mpg because there is a certain wake that happens right behind the window and gives downward pressure. i used to have a toolbox to put my valuables even though i never did (i just took it out looking to sell it) i would suggest a toolbox but for the doggies, just bungy a kennel in the bed or if you trust your dog just make sure they're tide down. personally, i just let my dog crawl around in the passenger seat of my single cab

 

Out side of the extra weight of the shell you won't notice any difference.
Cab high is best.
Fiberglass looks good although aluminum can be lighter.

Usually canopies are 100-150lbs

Gasoline weights about 8lbs per gallon.
20gal gas = 160lbs

Extra adult passenger = 150-200lbs

So if you don't notice a big change in power and MPG with a full tank of gas or when driving with a passenger then canopy will be fine.

 

Ya that's a good point about the weight.
I found this cool article about some ways to increase power, which some people believe increases MPG because the engine can't keep the weight of the truck moving very efficiently when it's stock because it's too weak...?
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4cylinders.html

 

thats bull i ride around in my 98 with my friend who wights 280 and my girlfiend who wights 120 and i wight 250 and i still get 28-30 mpg i may have to downshift going up a hill but other times i can just keep it in 5th

 

Alright I'm gonna go for the shell since you guys don't think it will effect anything too much.
P.S. I don't think your girl friend is gonna be too stoked about you telling everyone her weight

 

If you guys know any cheap tricks for a little boost in HP lemme know

 

lol she will never no and thats after two kids so i think she is fine

 

Remove belt driven fan and install electric rad cooling fan.

This is one of the few things that can increase HP and MPG, this is because you are removing a drag on the engine, some of it is transferred to the alternator, but only some because belt fan runs when engine does(full time), e-fan only runs when engine needs extra cooling, and on a Lima 4cyl that isn't often, lol.
Good spark plugs are a must, keep them clean and gapped.

Other things that boost HP will cost you MPG.

 

he is right on with the fan thing your get 20hp doing that

 

Not sure about the 20hp number but there is a benefit in doing that.


Also "just say no" to Cold Air Intakes(CAI), while they look and sound good that is all they do, this has been documented on dyno tests with all popular brands of CAIs and methods of installation.
Stock air filters and housings are designed for best operation.

But for looks and sound, if done properly, they won't hurt performance

 

cai can increse horse power if they are set up right if they are under the hood they hurt more than help but if you put them in the finder whel they will give you about 5hp not much and they cost like 60 bucks for that so in my mind its not worth it very much to me

 

Independent dyno tests say this is not true for newer vehicles.
Anecdotal stories from users say they do increase performance, but like the Easter Bunny, actual proof of it "working" remains undocumented.

Older vehicles with carbs sucked in warmer engine bay air, this is where the Cold Air Intakes first started to be used and they did help for sure.

With fuel injected engines manufacturers simply added CAIs for better MPG and performance.
If you look at where the intake air comes from on most(all) newer vehicles you will see it is coming from in front of the rad support, which will be about as cold as the outside temp will allow, and no, radiator and AC doesn't heat that air if you are driving above 5mph, lol, at idle maybe, but not when moving.

Nothing wrong with the looks and sound of CAIs, but performance will not change if done properly, it will drop if done improperly.

 

if you look at the 2004 dodge neon srt 4 they have a factory cold air intake coming out into the finder whel becasue it adds like 5hp and saying 5hp is giving to much cridet to it but it does make little gains now if you just stick a pod filter it does take away your horse power the cold air intakes do not do much its so little that you will never notice it but you are right they just look and sound cool maily

 

what im trying to say is that they have such little effect people get them to look and sound cool

 

OK, fair enough