fuel economy
- Thread starter KevinT
- Start date
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Seabronc
New member
No, the transfer case is not in the drive system unless you select 4x4. There is no magic bullet, after all you are driving a 5000 pound brick that wasn't designed with fuel economy in mind. It fuel economy is what you really need, a Bronco isn't the vehicle for you. There are some things that will help though.
A basic tune up will be a place to start. If you are getting any codes, take care of them. Keep your foot off the floor boards and use cruise control when ever possible, (it's more consistent with the throttle than your are).
Get rid of the excess weight you haul around and never use. You can always put something back when needed. For ex. remove the rear seat, get rid of all the junk you haul around behind the rear seat. You can go as far as replacing metal with fiberglass; hood, tailgate front fenders and side panels are available. Change the size of your tires, (requires recalibrating the speedometer), ( the down side of this is a loss of power at the lower end, but if it is a road machine you can live with a little loss as long as the change isn't too drastic, (like up one size 31 to 33's)). I have had good results with 2 Oz of 100% pure Acetone in the gas, don't expect great changes from this but it does bump my mileage from 10 to 12 MPG, also older vehicles seem to benefit more than newer ones). Read the whole thing first and then search for more on it, after that make up your own mind, http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Ace...a_Fuel_Additive . There is more information on several sites both pro and con, I tried it and I like it. Definitely has a positive effect on my engine.
A good, properly controlled electric fan will give a small improvement, keep in mind a 10 percent change in Bronco terms only amounts to about 1 MPG, but every little bit counts.
Good luck,
>-
A basic tune up will be a place to start. If you are getting any codes, take care of them. Keep your foot off the floor boards and use cruise control when ever possible, (it's more consistent with the throttle than your are).
Get rid of the excess weight you haul around and never use. You can always put something back when needed. For ex. remove the rear seat, get rid of all the junk you haul around behind the rear seat. You can go as far as replacing metal with fiberglass; hood, tailgate front fenders and side panels are available. Change the size of your tires, (requires recalibrating the speedometer), ( the down side of this is a loss of power at the lower end, but if it is a road machine you can live with a little loss as long as the change isn't too drastic, (like up one size 31 to 33's)). I have had good results with 2 Oz of 100% pure Acetone in the gas, don't expect great changes from this but it does bump my mileage from 10 to 12 MPG, also older vehicles seem to benefit more than newer ones). Read the whole thing first and then search for more on it, after that make up your own mind, http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Ace...a_Fuel_Additive . There is more information on several sites both pro and con, I tried it and I like it. Definitely has a positive effect on my engine.
A good, properly controlled electric fan will give a small improvement, keep in mind a 10 percent change in Bronco terms only amounts to about 1 MPG, but every little bit counts.
Good luck,
>-
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the acetone in the gas "trick" can make your mileage worse if your ratio is off. also it can play havoc with your fuel pump and orings if your not careful. Its roughly a few ounces per 10 gallons of gas. DO NOT put any more than 3 oz per 10 gallons. Acetone changes the surface tension of gasoline so that it is easier to achieve a complete burn(it doesnt).
Your tcase is 1:1 in 2wd and 4hi. its not until 4 low where it goes to 2.76:1 or so.
there is a unit out there called a gear benders unit. its like an over over drive. not only does it drop your high gear but it can split all your gears. its kind of like a 2 speed rear end but on your output of your tranny. Im not sure if there is a unit that goes on a tcase or now, ive only seen them for 2wd but it might be worth looking into.
if your commute is all highway you will be able to drop your cruising rpms a little yielding higher mpg. if your stop and go im not sure that it will do you much good but you have a long drive at any speed you can drop your cruising rpms.
Your tcase is 1:1 in 2wd and 4hi. its not until 4 low where it goes to 2.76:1 or so.
there is a unit out there called a gear benders unit. its like an over over drive. not only does it drop your high gear but it can split all your gears. its kind of like a 2 speed rear end but on your output of your tranny. Im not sure if there is a unit that goes on a tcase or now, ive only seen them for 2wd but it might be worth looking into.
if your commute is all highway you will be able to drop your cruising rpms a little yielding higher mpg. if your stop and go im not sure that it will do you much good but you have a long drive at any speed you can drop your cruising rpms.
Seabronc
New member
I have been using Acetone for 3 years now with no ill effects. Yes, improperly used it can actually reduce mileage, you are not using it to burn, you are using it to slightly modify the fuel formula to improve vaporization. It only helps when keept to 3 oz or less per 10 gallons. That is minute, the purpose is to break down the surface tension of the gas to improve vaporization. There have been numerous studies and practical tests, research it and use your own judgement. For me it works, but then I did my homework first, not just blindly follow one persons recommendations. Like I said, older vehicles like mine seem to get better results with it than newer ones. It is not my intention to have everyone use it, only offer it it as a possible way to improve gas mileage. Some testers have found that using 2 Oz per 10 gallons works best for their vehicle while mine works best between 2 and 3 oz. per 10 gallons of gas. When I add gas I add Acetone in that ratio, so if I put 20 gallons in I put in 4.5 oz of 100% pure Acetone, if it is not 100% pure don't use it.
As far as the seals, fuel pump, and O rings go, read the data. There have been testers who have placed parts in Prue 100% undiluted Acetone and found no deterioration. This is always a religious type of subject and will go on emotionally argued for ever. I'm a believer, it works for me, the results have been all good. Do your homework and then make up your own mind.
Good luck,
>-seabronc, ive seen lots of studies as well where there have been no ill effects but i was just coving my base. I would hate to say use it then someone have a fuel pump going bad and blame it on me and the acetone. In the cases where parts did fail they were probably going to fail regardless.
Broncobill78
New member
Yup, to recap Fred's comments you're pretty much stuck with what you have. Now the *axle* gears, not the transfer case gears, could be swapped to something that would yield better milage and if you coupled that with smaller, narrower tires you'd see an improvement but it would probably take you somewhere between 7-10 *years* to save in fuel the money you'd spend swapping gears & tires. By the same tolken you could do the same thing with the transmission gears. There are alternate planetary sets for auto's and you can mix & match standards (within reason) but once again it would take you years to recoup the cost of the swap. Best thing you can do is to keep it in tune & watch the tire pressure. Those are probably the largest factors that impact your milage on a day-to-day basis.
