Hi all,

I just picked up a 94 Explorer and love it so far. I have a few questions but haven't been able to find much from searches.

First I would like to know if anybody has installed an aftermarket air intake. Which kind, how did it work, how hard are they to install?

My other question is about gas milage. I drive a lot of freeway miles and am wondering what I could do to improve gas milage. I'm averaging around 18mpg right now but are there any tips that could help?

Thanks,

Ken

 

I have a 2000 explorer and i added a K&N FIPK. All i can say is this is a Super + for any car. It not only adds power but it adds mpg too. Mostly during freeway driving like you do.

You may not have good luck, though, as i could only find ones for as early as 95-97 explorer.

Anyway, heres where i got mine: they also have a lot of other good stuff.

[url]http://www.eautoworks.com/

 

Also,

if you dont want to spend the $200 or so on that, you could keep up on your Air filter and PCV valves as they have the most to do with gas mileage. If its the slightest bit dirty, replace it. Its only about $11.00

 

i had a 94 explorer, it had the tow package with limited slip differentials. i had a k@nflat filter, and a tornado air system on it.iliked the way both worked,they seemed to give it a little more pick-up,and a few more mpg. i averaged around 19 on the high way,17 in town. this also had a lower ratio than standard in the rear and ,3.55 i think.

 

My 94 got 22-24 on the highway and 17-20 in the city I was averaging about 20 mpg as I drive about 6 miles city and around 12 miles highway each way to work. I have a K&N filter in the stock intake set up. It was off the shelf from AutoZone and cost about $40.00

Things that improved mileage the most are the following

Change spark plugs with new and make sure that the new ones are gaped correctly. Believe it or not new ones out of the box are usually way off and need to be adjusted.

Clean air filter. Goes with out saying as soon as MPG goes down I chk this.

Chk the MAF. There are two little wires that sense the volume of air and if they get dirty (and they will) a good cleaning will work wonders for performance, MPG and will also sometimes cure pinging of the motor due to a lean condition.

Change the oil. Ok I know the manufacture tells us that we can go a bazillion miles on the oil but reality is that mine is dirty after 2K I Never let my oil go past 3k and try to change it every 2k. Especially if I have been towing with it or have been putting some hard miles on it. I have a tow package in mine and I typically hall a 5,000 trailer. Once I haled my friends 7,800 lb trailer back from West Va through the Poconos in PA and my new oil was black after the trip. (I might also not that it was the death of my Trans but that is another story.)


Lastly a light foot. I know that it is no fun but my MPG goes through the floor if I drive with a lead foot

Good luck

Dean

 

You are damn right about that. It most certainly is not fun! I had the pedal to the metal mostly the whole way to Cape may NJ from PA with the A/C off and got about 15. Cant imagine what it would be if A/C was on.

 

I like what DSmith has to say. Your Explorer is now 10 years old and what he mentions could certainly stand some attention. The only things I can think to add are checking out the plug wires and a fuel system cleaning. All that stuff will surely achieve a lot more than just bolting on an airbox. The first rule of "tuning" should be to make sure everthing else is in good shape before worrying about bolting some performance parts.
I like K+N filters and have been using them since they only sold them for motorcycles. I've never seen, nor really expected any perceptible performance gains from using them though.
I have doubts about any "cold air intake" setup. Ford put one on at the factory, air is drawn from right behind the right side of the grill. Though some aftermarket setup might increase and smooth the flow of air slightly, I doubt it will make a noticeable difference. And I'm pretty sure any difference made won't justify the cost.
You might look into using synthetic oil, small gains to be had with it but if you combine that with all the other suggested work I'm willing to bet you WILL get a noticeable performance and mileage improvement. Not big, but enough to make driving your Explorer more enjoyable.

 

Thanks for all the input.