Topic: 05 ford ranger gas milage

[David Mac]

Ive got a 98 mazda b 4000(ford ranger) and I get 400 to 450km
on a tank.I keep the revs low.Best tank was 470.

[barrie1]

A lower ratio such as a 3.08 or something similar would really raise the gas milage but you would lose some of the takeoff performance by changing it out. With a lower ratio and the 5spd auto tranny the milage would improve greatly on long trips. 

[sterling]

3.55 is the lowest axle available on any '05 Ranger. If you have a 4:10 axle you have a Ranger Edge. This package includes a raised suspension with the ride height of a 4x4 and also very large diameter and wide All-Terrain tires. It is these two factors that will cause a Ranger Edge's fuel economy to be much worse than a "regular" 2WD Ranger with the same 3.0 V6.

[barrie1]

Ford has used the 3.55 for many years now and I know its a good gear ratio for almost any vehicle. Especially with the 9" pot size as well. Many hotrod guys use them in all makes and models as they are almost industructable. If Sterling is correct on your options then he is correct on the reason for your bad fuel milage as well. 

[ktm525]

I have a  2000 Ford Ranger 4x4 supercab (4 litre, with the 5 speed auto), and I know two other guys who drive Toyota Tacoma 4x4s (V6s).  We all get crappy mileage.  My fuel economy ranges from 17 to 22 mpg.

Just to make you feel better my Dakota Quad Cab full time AWD, 4.7 V8 with 3.55's gets 12-16 mpg.

[barrie1]

This past Sept Approx I changed out the 308 gear ratio in my full sized truck and went to a Auborn posi with a Richmond 3.42 Gear ratio. There is a difference in performance but not that bad on gas at all. I figured it would really hurt but its not so bad at all. My highway RPM's have not changed at all on speeds above 60MPH. I had recorded 5MPH increments up to 100MPH and have found no difference in them now when comparing them on the highway. 

[sterling]

Unless you now drive in a different gear over 60 mph, that is impossible. The relationship between rpms, speed and gear ratios is mathematical.

[barrie1]

I would have thought that as well as I am still useing the same TH400 behind it. It has totally surprised me as well because my wife wrote in down per my driving instructions about 3 months before the change out of the gears. I have the old rearend and gear set on the shelf to prove it. I am surprised as well as there should have been a difference I would have thought as well. The RPM is still the same at every 5mph increment up to 100MPH. I can't figure it out either. The Tach is a 5" Autometer Monster tach that works very well. 

[ktm525]

Are you sure you had a 3.08 in there in the first place?

[barrie1]

Yes I not only counted the teeth about 3 years ago when I had the cover off but also recorded the serial No. as well for verification. I also have the old gears sitting on a shelf in my shop at the moment as well. I for one cannot explain the difference on this except there is not any RPM difference at those speeds on the tach. I drove it for 6-7 weeks before i parked it in the barn but still can't figure that out. Technically everything should have gone up in RPM but it didn't. ?

[sterling]

Some things are beyond the understanding of mortal men.

Either that or Barrie just made a mistake.

[ktm525]

CVT rear end.

[barrie1]

I don't think that would matter what the rear gears came out of the actual axle housing either but I know what I installed into it and still can't figure why the ratio did not change on the tach. I installed a Brand New Auborn Posi unit with Richmond 3.42 gears and should have had an increaqse on the highway of RPM but did not. My wife recorded the NO's back in last June on a road trip to my instructions. Every 5MPH graduations going up to 100MPH on the 401. This in 3rd gear on a TH400 tranny that is very heavily beefed up but should not make any difference on this issue. This is a 3spd heavy build race box in this truck for anyone who dosen't realize what a TH400 tranny is. Almost as tough as nails to run and almost impossible to hurt with Heavy Work or PLay. The best one for my kind of driving in this truck.