Ranger Mods

I just returned from a trip to Alice Springs and back
I drive a 2017 Ranger and use a MyCalibrator.
The van weighs 2.5 ton and I use the Towing tune for the motor and the Max+ trans tune
Usually tow in 5th gear sports mode manual around 96 @ 1800/2000 revs using around 17/19 lts per 100klms
Returning home I tried something different when on the Port Wakefield road as its smooth and plenty of room
I increased my speed to 110 and 6th gear, the revs were around 2400
I was astonished to see my fuel usage was reading 13/14 lts per 100
The engine felt good and accelerated easily from 110 so not loaded up at all
This is obviously a sweet spot for Barry's tune
Unfortunately I won't be able to do this on most roads, too rough

What tyre pressures do you use ? Cold, first thing in the morning, I check and set mine for 40 psi fronts, 45 psi rears and 50 on the two trailer tyres. The trailer weighs 2355 including the tow ball weight of 225 kg, total CVM Wildtrak and Trailer = 5615 kg. plus us two adults say 125 kg. Weight, road speed and tyre pressures all add up to good or poor fuel consumption.

40 fronts
44 rears
44 x 4 on 2.5t van

RossPat wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 4:28 pm 40 fronts
44 rears
44 x 4 on 2.5t van

Ahh, okay -- my off-road camper-trailer only has a single independent axle suspension and the Wildtrak has an upgraded GVM from the original standard 3200 kg to 3500 kg. I guess my fuel consumption is aided by the low profile of the trailer.

RossPat wrote: ↑Fri Jun 10, 2022 12:34 pm I just returned from a trip to Alice Springs and back
I drive a 2017 Ranger and use a MyCalibrator.
The van weighs 2.5 ton and I use the Towing tune for the motor and the Max+ trans tune
Usually tow in 5th gear sports mode manual around 96 @ 1800/2000 revs using around 17/19 lts per 100klms
Returning home I tried something different when on the Port Wakefield road as its smooth and plenty of room
I increased my speed to 110 and 6th gear, the revs were around 2400
I was astonished to see my fuel usage was reading 13/14 lts per 100
The engine felt good and accelerated easily from 110 so not loaded up at all
This is obviously a sweet spot for Barry's tune
Unfortunately I won't be able to do this on most roads, too rough

Just on "sweet spots" my Wildtrak has had a chip tune from new by the HPF in South Dandenong in Victoria to give me 600 Nm of torque @ 980 rpm and 141 kw at the rear wheels - but it was mainly tuned for greater low down power and improved fuel economy.
The "sweet spot" for mine is using cruise control in Drive and when its in 6th gear and at 1485 rpm the engine is just burbling along at 86 kph. Last year on our trip to FNQ, NT and WA we did a total of 15,830 kilometers and only used 2046 litres of diesel = 13 l / 100 k.
I have copped a bit of flak from some people for my low cruising speed but we never hold anyone up, we constantly use our two UHF radios, the fixed GME is always on Ch.40 and the Omicron 5 watt hand held on Ch.18 to communicate with other drivers ( if that is they have one ) and if I can I pull over safely I do so to let them past and if not I always come off the throttle as soon as the overtaking vehicle is alongside of me so their overtaking maneuver is easier and quicker. Why rush when you're on holiday ? Like this coming trip to WA, we expect it to take up 12-14 weeks so we have allowed for a additional 4 weeks just in case we decide to extend our stay.

No idea what mine could do @ that speed, I could never drive that slow
My suspension has also been upgraded to 3500, but that doesn't have any affect on fuel economy so I never mentioned it.

RossPat wrote: ↑Sun Jun 12, 2022 9:46 am No idea what mine could do @ that speed, I could never drive that slow
My suspension has also been upgraded to 3500, but that doesn't have any affect on fuel economy so I never mentioned it.

Julie is an avid photographer and if she sees something that catches her eye so to speak we stop so she can photograph it - that would be an almost impossible task if you're driving at close to 100 kph and I actually enjoy driving at that slower speed as I get to relax and enjoy the passing scenery and I've lost count on the numbers of skinks and blue-tongues we have stopped to allow them to safely cross the road, I can normally spot them on the road 5 - 600 meters away and at 86 kph I can easily pull up in that distance without any dramas.

RossPat wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 4:28 pm 40 fronts
44 rears
44 x 4 on 2.5t van

G'day RossPat, I find contact patch and side wall flex are the major contributors to Tyre performance. Tyre pressure and load are the tools used to adjust the performance of the Tyre. This subject has a lot of scientific research and practical demonstration in the Agricultural and Highway Truck industries. cheers, Butch.

butchp wrote: ↑Fri Jun 17, 2022 10:57 am

RossPat wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 4:28 pm 40 fronts
44 rears
44 x 4 on 2.5t van

I find contact patch and side wall flex are the major contributors to Tyre performance.

I agree and it has taken a few trips to get it right for me
Tyre temp is a great indicator with flex being the main contributor.

are they standard tyres?

SeaJay wrote: ↑Fri Jun 17, 2022 4:14 pm are they standard tyres?

Yes