s-10 style pickup

[Farley]

Any of you own a 4-cylinder 2-wheel drive s-10 or similar? Just wondering what kind of gas mileage you get on the highway. My 6 cyl Ranger 4X4 sucks the gas and was thinking about getting a different vehicle for the 50 mile drive to work, but still need something to pull my little boat around, and I like having the box to throw my stuff in.

Thanks

[TUMBLEWEED]

Does it have those Auto -Hubs??

My 89 GMC Suburban used to have them
and after one side kept trying to
engage while I was going down the
road, I replaced them with manual
lock outs. My mileage increased
greatly. Mine cost $49.00

I think yours would be around 300-350
because the Ford styles require an
expensive adaptor system. Still cheaper
than a new vehicle.........

[Farley]

Yes it has auto 4WD but I'd like to get away from the 4.0L 6 cyl engine and go to a 4 cyl for fuel economy. I'd like to get 25 mpg or better. Right now I get somewhere around 18. I don't really want to get a car, like I said before, I like having the box for hauling bigger stuff and don't want to put a hitch on an escort. But thanks for the reply, my 4 wheel drive is gone right now, the switch works, I can hear and feel it engage, but it wont spin the front wheels. Maybee manual hubs would be a good and more reliable route to go to fix that.

[This message has been edited by Farley (edited 03-29-2004).]

[PaulB]

I've had a 97 Nissan pickup for 7 years, 2.4L 4 cylinder w/ 5 spd. manual tranny. Don't think I ever got 25 mpg out of it, but it's been durable otherwise. I'm not sure you'll find any small pickups that will deliver the milage you want, but I love having the box too. Towing with that setup is ok, but not great.

[Enids Hubby]

I have a 2001 s-1o 2wd 6cyl with auto trans
get 21 mpg regularly , best was 25mpg but rarely happens

[Guest]

Farley,I have a 2002 fx4 ranger and I get about the same mpg that you described.Unless you go to a 4cyl. 2wd you wont get any better from any other truck.I also drive over 50 miles to work and back which is the reason I picked up a 100$ 89 mitsu,not a pretty machine but gets 30 mpg.If you like the ranger just pick up a cheap car for work.Good luck,Don

[Lunker]

We had a 1995 s-10. It was a lemon from the day we bought it(new) till the day I blew the engine out. Id stay away from them myself, maybe others have had better luck

[graybeard2]

I've got a 95 Nissan, 4 cyl., 4wd, 5 speed. Without the topper, and hubs not locked in, I get 22 plus. However if your boats very big, I don't think you'll like the 4 cyl. It pulls my 14' jon just fine, but when I hook onto my 16' v-bottom, it's got all she wants. OK for short trips, but if I'm going very far, I gotta steal the wife's Jeep.

[joshb]

i've had a ford ranger with a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder, two wheel drive for four years and i don't think i ever got better than 17 mpg, every ranger owner i have eve talked to has gotten realy crappy mileage.

[Farley]

My boat is a 14' starcraft. It's prety much a jon-boat, pretty light, and I just use it around the area where I live, usually don't tow it more than 20 miles ever. I have access to a full size truck if I need it for a long trip or a bigger boat. How about the fuel economy on a chevy s-10 4-banger? I think they get a little better than the Fords.

[joneshat11]

I got a 1999 s-10 4 banger! I figured 28 highway and 25 city! And still pulls the duck boat up the highway 70-80 mph, but not much more! Got 79,000 miles and had only to put new tires once, front brakes once and regular oil changes!

[This message has been edited by joneshat11 (edited 03-31-2004).]

[uffdapete]

I've got a 94 Toyota 2 wd, 4 cyl/5 spd. that I wouldn't part with. It gets 23-24 in town, 27-30 hwy and towing trailers loaded with 800-1200 lbs. still get 20-22. Other than changing plugs at 65,000 miles and changing oil every 3,000 there have been no other expenses. Very economical truck.

[Farley]

So there is hope! Thanks guys

[FoolNFish]

I've got an '88 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 with a 2.9 liter. Has the electronic 'auto-hubs' and it's a 5 spd...never seen anything UNDER 20 mpg!!! Best reliable little truck I've ever owned!

[rockhardinmn]

Farley ,, being i travel to the cids for work also i am looking at getting into a rig to do it all. for me that = a desiel pick up .. some i have seen push high 20s for milage and then there is no concern for what you may want to haul or pull

[Farley]

Rockhard, on average what do they get for fuel economy? I know they get better than gasoline and the fuel is cheaper (most of the time), but I just can't see a full size truck getting more than low 20's. That's a good idea though. What size pickup are you looking at? 1/2 or 3/4 ton?

[rockhardinmn]

Farley i have heard as high as 28mpg with a 1ton 4x4 model. this was with a ford powerstroke 4door cab and a long box. from what i was told it didnt really matter if he was doing 80 or 30 mph either.i really dont see myself getting one this year since wife wants a new house . i will probly get stuck driving an old 4 banger omni . my truck i am lucky if i get 10mpg with it. so for me even 18 mpg sounds great

[anyfishwilldo]

I've got a 03 Duramax diesel 3/4 4x4 Chev. 26 MPG empty or 19 pulling my 24ft enclosed const trailer. Fantastic truck. As far as the Fords go, I'd stay as far away as I could: Horrid gas milage, and terrible ride.