Bronco MPG
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 725
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From: Upstate New York
If I was going to swap a six into a '78/'79 Bronc, I'd build a 300 with 9.5:1 compression, an aftermarket 4bbl intake with specifically tuned 490 cfm Holley, and a nice header with very long 1.5" primary tubes with free flowing exhaust, bolted to a 5 speed and 3.50 gears. That would get serious fuel mileage, especially when cruising on the highway. I don't understand why Ford didn't offer the 300 in these trucks as a stock option. Even with the iron 4-speed, it would be a great combination.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
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From: Boise, Idaho
I never understood that either. It came in the F-Trucks, so they had all the components just sitting there. It pretty much would have just come down to an executive decision. A "yep, do it" is all it would have taken. I don't think an ounce of new tooling would have been required.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: Upstate New York
On a side note, for optimum fuel mileage, check your brakes to make sure they're not dragging, make sure the driveshaft u joints are spinning freely and well greased, and the toe-in on the front tires is set correctly. Also make sure your tires are inflated to the max pressure indicated on the sidewall. Little things add up.
On my 300 Bronc, I ran tall(32"?) narrow tires with a max pressure of 80 psi. They had very low rolling resistance, for sure.
On my 300 Bronc, I ran tall(32"?) narrow tires with a max pressure of 80 psi. They had very low rolling resistance, for sure.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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We drove the '92 Bronco on a long trip recently and I was amazed how much better mileage it got vs the Expedition. It's only pushing 26,000 total miles though, don't drive it much and the engine is FI.
I think it was getting abt 20 MPG or close to it, I was pulling a small trailer w/ the Expy and she was driving the Bronco and when I stopped for gas she didn't need any.
Interstate speeds were typically less then 60 MPH because of the trailer.
I think it was getting abt 20 MPG or close to it, I was pulling a small trailer w/ the Expy and she was driving the Bronco and when I stopped for gas she didn't need any.
Interstate speeds were typically less then 60 MPH because of the trailer.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
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One thing I noticed, my cruise control with these new tires like to floor it quite a bit.. I know my truck has a tad less acceleration, but apparently the truck only cares about keeping the current rate of acceleration or speed up.
Bottom line, I turn off cruise control to actually save mileage now when I'm not on a straight stretch
Bottom line, I turn off cruise control to actually save mileage now when I'm not on a straight stretch
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
On anything but flat roads, cruise control is just about as counter intuitive to good mileage as you can get.
It floors it up hills, and lets off the gas going down hill.
Good mileage would have less acceleration going up hill (most likely losing speed), and then more acceleration downhill to pick up speed when your engine doesn't have to work hard to get it moving.
It floors it up hills, and lets off the gas going down hill.
Good mileage would have less acceleration going up hill (most likely losing speed), and then more acceleration downhill to pick up speed when your engine doesn't have to work hard to get it moving.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,908
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From: Algona, Washington
On anything but flat roads, cruise control is just about as counter intuitive to good mileage as you can get.
It floors it up hills, and lets off the gas going down hill.
Good mileage would have less acceleration going up hill (most likely losing speed), and then more acceleration downhill to pick up speed when your engine doesn't have to work hard to get it moving.
It floors it up hills, and lets off the gas going down hill.
Good mileage would have less acceleration going up hill (most likely losing speed), and then more acceleration downhill to pick up speed when your engine doesn't have to work hard to get it moving.
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
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From: Boise, Idaho
Oh it definitely would, but the idea is that's when you can earn yourself some "free" acceleration, especially if you lost speed going up the hill. Get some momentum up for the next hill, or flats.
I know in the 75mph interstate out here, I'll often go 65 just to save on fuel. But when going downhill, I'll gladly speed up to 75 - 80mph so I can coast a little while once the downhill's over.
I know in the 75mph interstate out here, I'll often go 65 just to save on fuel. But when going downhill, I'll gladly speed up to 75 - 80mph so I can coast a little while once the downhill's over.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,908
Likes: 1
From: Algona, Washington
Oh it definitely would, but the idea is that's when you can earn yourself some "free" acceleration, especially if you lost speed going up the hill. Get some momentum up for the next hill, or flats.
I know in the 75mph interstate out here, I'll often go 65 just to save on fuel. But when going downhill, I'll gladly speed up to 75 - 80mph so I can coast a little while once the downhill's over.
I know in the 75mph interstate out here, I'll often go 65 just to save on fuel. But when going downhill, I'll gladly speed up to 75 - 80mph so I can coast a little while once the downhill's over.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,908
Likes: 1
From: Algona, Washington
I am in the process of completing scientific research on how bad my mpg is. And i am not driving lightly either. So the conclusion of my mpg will also estimate what my mpg would be if i drove like a ninny.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
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my habits are bad for the wrong reason.. sometimes I'll hit the gas a little bit more to get up to speed, get mad that it doesn't downshift then slam my foot down just to get it to downshift, let up in 2nd or whatever gear i was shooting for, but by the time this whole process finishes I'm at 65mph, and remember that I just wanted a tad more acceleration to reach 55 from about 40.
auto transmissions are frustrating.. I probably lose 1mpg just to driver frustration with my transmission not doing what I want, when I want. It's something new with this truck, my downshift/upshift points seem to always change on me based on throttle. I'd blame computers, but my CRV was pretty stable.
auto transmissions are frustrating.. I probably lose 1mpg just to driver frustration with my transmission not doing what I want, when I want. It's something new with this truck, my downshift/upshift points seem to always change on me based on throttle. I'd blame computers, but my CRV was pretty stable.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,908
Likes: 1
From: Algona, Washington
I had recently fixed my kick down linkage so that my truck would actually downshift when floored, i haven't tried it lately though so i'm not sure if it is still adjusted correctly.
OK I FINALLY GOT MY MPG
And it is better than everyone elses:
Yes the red is the final number we got. Top number is the mileage from my last fillup and the middle was just today. Then the 34 was the subtracted number and the 4.39 is my final output. SO my assumption is that if i drive like a normal gas saving driver then i would get maybe 51/2 or so.
OK I FINALLY GOT MY MPG
And it is better than everyone elses:Yes the red is the final number we got. Top number is the mileage from my last fillup and the middle was just today. Then the 34 was the subtracted number and the 4.39 is my final output. SO my assumption is that if i drive like a normal gas saving driver then i would get maybe 51/2 or so.