My old '03 4X2 5 speed would get 29 mpg regularly. On interstates I would get 35 easily. I once drove from Kansas City and could have made it to Indianapolis on a tank a gas but the wife made me fill up about 30 miles west of Indy. Mine was a regular cab though. I see yours is an extended cab, but I'm not sure if the extra weight of the body will make a difference or not. I wish I had that truck back now with fuel prices and all.

 

So you are trying to fit 2 things into the truck tools and gas mileage. Many people buy a truck and never put anything in the bed. Just so you know I used to maintain 28 apartments and my main transportation was an 1988 Chevy Barretta GT. I just carry my plumbing, carpentry and other tools in Military ammo boxes and would pack the crap out of that car when needed. I even got a 10 foot long piece of trim inside once. lol Yeah, it was nice to get my S-10 extended cab for carrying stuff around.
I would be interested in knowing the difference in the gas mileage between carrying a large, heavy load of tools in a 2.3/4 and a 4.3/6 since the 6 would not have to work as hard. So many variables in play for mileage.

I never bought a vehicle for gas mileage. I buy them cause I want them or it fits my needs. I read a nice article today about gas prices and the guy says the thing to do is buy stock in Exxon/Mobil so you get some of those record profits. He goes into detail why the prices are what they are. He even says things like Ipods and cellphones are driving the prices cause of the petro it takes to make the plastic.

Well anyway, good luck with your new truck. Let us know how your gas mileage works out.

 

This mileage thing is quite interesting my 2003 Ranger std cab 2.3 5 sp gets 27 mpg day in day out on my 50 mile round trip commute. The commute amounts to about 40 miles highway at 65-70 mph and 10 miles of city. Now I have never checked it on an extended highway only run so it may get close to thirty in that mode. But I own a 1999 crown vic 4.6 v8 that averages 22 mpg and will do 28 mpg on extended road trips at 70 plus MPH. Go figure that one out the vic weights more has twice as big a motor is an automatic the only advantage is it has I beleive 2.73 gears in the rear the Ranger has 3.73 yet in a truck you can't push a 4.6 past 20 mpg and most only get between 14-18 mpg. Doesn't make much sense to me. The current 2.3 in the Ranger is basically a durtec motor and that engine in the car side of the family will get 32-37 mpg. Aerodynamics, gears ratios, who knows.

 

blueranger99 I drive a 2005 XL 2.3l 5sp no AC about 180 miles a day for work. 95% freeway miles and have got as high as 34mpg and average about 30. With winter gas, lights on and heater on I have seen as low as 26. Overall it has been an excellent truck to haul tools and gear.

 

Finally have an update .... Seems like it took forever to get a spray-in bedliner and a couple of odds and ends tied up.

Came from the dealer with full tank - 368.7 miles and 15.65 gal to refill = 23.6 mpg
second tank of gas @ 638.7miles and 11.25 gal to refill = 24.0 mpg

Still in break in period - tranny shifts stiff and engine is still learning its idle, etc.

I'll update as soon as I have more info.

 

Having your lights on effects your gasmilage? And heater too?

 

Also be aware that the 2.3 duratec takes between 3 and 5,000 miles to break in, si it will be a little while before you get your best tank. When I first got me new focus ST with the 2.3, I only got around 25, after it got around 4,000 miles or so, it jumped to 34/36. I pretty much drive it like I stole it, it's made to run and I run it. It's kinda cool to have a quick little car that gets good mpg to boot. My sons 04 ranger with the 2.3 gets 24, 25 around town and 29 to 30 on a trip, but his his an automatic, a manual should do a hair better. We both use mobil 1 in our trucks and I think it helps a tad, I don't use it for mpg, just a side benifit if any.

 

cheap experiment: go to local drug store and get a bottle of acetone in the nail polish remover section. Pure acetone only. Add 2 ounces per 10 gallons of gas. Then try 3 ounces on the next 10 gallons, drive as normal and check mileage. I'd just like to know if anyone notices a change. http://www.lubedev.com/smartgas/ Read more about it at this site. Very interesting.