fuel efficiency
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Lemoore, Ca
fuel efficiency
I have a question about my bronco, I know its supposed to be getting around 14-15 miles, but right now its averaging right 10-12 on a good day. I'm new to owning a bronco and was also wondering what I could do to increase the mileage I'm getting. Gas is kinda high where I live.
The other question I have is how easy would it to do a tranny swap to a 5 speed? thanks in advance for the help.
The other question I have is how easy would it to do a tranny swap to a 5 speed? thanks in advance for the help.
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
Likes: 20
From: Caracas, Venezuela
Do a full tune-up, check for any codes to see if all the sensors are working how they should, check the tire air pressure at each corner, clean the throttle. Buy a used Corolla?.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 966
Likes: 0
Gear Ratio? How many miles on the rig? How do you drive it?
I can get mine up to 13-14.5 in town. Down to 11 on the highway. RPM = EVERYTHING. I keep my rig running constant at 60MPH, I'm below 2K RPM and max MPG. At 75/80MPH, I drop to 11 quick fast and in a hurry. I got a well tuned 5.8L/Auto/94 Bronco. I've documented my MPG over the course of a year.
I can get mine up to 13-14.5 in town. Down to 11 on the highway. RPM = EVERYTHING. I keep my rig running constant at 60MPH, I'm below 2K RPM and max MPG. At 75/80MPH, I drop to 11 quick fast and in a hurry. I got a well tuned 5.8L/Auto/94 Bronco. I've documented my MPG over the course of a year.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Lemoore, Ca
its an 88 with a 302 and its says its a 3 speed auto with overdrive. no modifications whatsoever. gears are whatever they came with from the factory. it has just over 90,000 the truck. The truck sounds fine when I drive it and hasn't given me any issues. I don't mind getting 14-15 mpg, I would just like it to be a bit better than what it is now. the only issue I've noticed is occasionally the rear antilock light will come on.
Driving it I'm pretty good on it, it just goes back and forth to work, occasionally out to town and out to the trails once in a while.
Driving it I'm pretty good on it, it just goes back and forth to work, occasionally out to town and out to the trails once in a while.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 0
From: SE Georgia
Trending Topics
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
How far is back and forth to work? If it's only a few miles each way then that's the problem.. the motor is just barely getting into closed loop before you stop and shut it off again. But if it's a 15min drive then there's something else going on, pull the codes to see if the computer has something flagged and do a general tuneup.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Sounds like you have a 4OD trans (correct me if im wrong guys). And the gears, Ford had 3.25, 3.55, and 3.73 gears in the 8.8 rear axles and also you could special order 3.08 gears. With the 3.55 gear set being the most common (again correct me if im wrong). May also want to try running some fuel injector cleaner and/or octane booster through a tank of petrol to see if that helps. Sea Foam is really good too. Also again what other people are saying: general tune up; clean or replace the air filter, replace fuel filter, clean/repap or new spark plugs, replace cap and rotor, plug wires.
a AT to MT swap shouldnt be that bad; just need MT, gear oil, clutch, clutch pedal asembly, clutch master/slave cylinders, brake fluid, exteranaly balanced flywheel, clutch fork, throwout berring, rear engine plate, and a can or two of brake cleaner, and rags... Oh and dont forget the pilot berring.
a AT to MT swap shouldnt be that bad; just need MT, gear oil, clutch, clutch pedal asembly, clutch master/slave cylinders, brake fluid, exteranaly balanced flywheel, clutch fork, throwout berring, rear engine plate, and a can or two of brake cleaner, and rags... Oh and dont forget the pilot berring.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
1988 would still have been an AOD and the common final drive ratios from the factory were 3.08:1 in units equipped with the 300 (4.9L) I6 and 3.55:1 in units equipped with the V8 302 (5.0L) and 351 (5.8L) with 4.11:1 being an option that could be ordered. Factory limited-slip "Trac-lok" differentials were also available as optional equipment.
The swap would require pedal assembly swap, driveshaft swaps (front and rear), transmission crossmember swap, installation of clutch and clutch master cylinder, flywheel in place of flexplate, etc. The M5OD (Mazda 5-speed) will bolt directly to all three engines mentioned above as well as the ZF S5-42 ("M5HD" as some like to call it). Both transmissions are the same length and use the same transmission crossmember, clutch, clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder.
The AOD is 30.75" long and the M5OD and ZF S5-42 are both 29.25" long.
With all of that said, when was the last time the IAC was cleaned, the HEGO (oxygen) sensor was replaced, and base timing checked? Any/All of these will yield a significant improvement in fuel economy if regular maintenance has not been done recently.
The swap would require pedal assembly swap, driveshaft swaps (front and rear), transmission crossmember swap, installation of clutch and clutch master cylinder, flywheel in place of flexplate, etc. The M5OD (Mazda 5-speed) will bolt directly to all three engines mentioned above as well as the ZF S5-42 ("M5HD" as some like to call it). Both transmissions are the same length and use the same transmission crossmember, clutch, clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder.
The AOD is 30.75" long and the M5OD and ZF S5-42 are both 29.25" long.
With all of that said, when was the last time the IAC was cleaned, the HEGO (oxygen) sensor was replaced, and base timing checked? Any/All of these will yield a significant improvement in fuel economy if regular maintenance has not been done recently.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mr.Plow
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Nov 12, 2007 06:58 PM