Crazy ideas for improving fuel economy...anyone gone THIS far?

[Snowman269]

You know it's funny, I did buy the Excursion PSD for mileage, so how do ya like them apples.

Go Ahead and laugh, I'm am right now.

No other vehicle can haul, tow &/or match the PSD Excursion's (safety) raw abilities with the MPG it offers. Some of us don't use these vehicles as they were intended, they are just showpieces. But, for most of us they do what others vehicles can't. I would have to sacrific something to give up the Excursion

Our Excursion is our swiss blade army knife.

Here's a couple of examples:

I used to have an Expedition, size wise it almost fit the bill, but it couldn't pull a large trailer, just small ones. They are essentially 1/2 tons & gutless.

Did the whole suburban 3/4 ton with 454. Pulled good, rode good yet couldn't meet the mpg requirement. Why accept 6-7mpg towing & 11mpg just driving around when the X offers so much more?

Excursion with PSD, does it all for me. Mines seats 9, pulls like a freight train & does get better mileage doing it than anything else.

What's exciting is the mods that are available to personalize these vehicles to our needs.

Snowman

 

[SDEric]

Tinkering, what a concept. A man and his thoughts put to the test of mind and machine.

I have contemplated the option of changing the transmission. After heavy research, I found that the swap is pretty intensive. First, and foremost the biggest obstacle is the fact that the cab of an auto is 6 inches lower at the hump, then that of a factory manual. Then you will need to change the transfer case, since they have different splines. Then there are the smallest details, of brackets, pedals, mounting and mating. I can go on more if anyone is interested. However I have to get ready to headout. Flying home tonite and getting some R&R.

 

[KevinsOffroad]

Tinkering, what a concept. A man and his thoughts put to the test of mind and machine.

I have contemplated the option of changing the transmission. After heavy research, I found that the swap is pretty intensive. First, and foremost the biggest obstacle is the fact that the cab of an auto is 6 inches lower at the hump, then that of a factory manual. Then you will need to change the transfer case, since they have different splines. Then there are the smallest details, of brackets, pedals, mounting and mating. I can go on more if anyone is interested. However I have to get ready to headout. Flying home tonite and getting some R&R.

Thanks for the info, Eric. I'd be more than willing to pay you for your time to put together a compilation of all the details that you've found out so far so that I can figure out whether it makes sense for me or not. Interesting about the Tranny hump...never thought of that...but wouldn't be too difficult since I have plenty of metal-working tools at the shop. I guess I'm more curious about the electronics of the swap. What happens when you unplug the electronically controlled auto tranny and the ECU stops seeing signals from it? Is it as easy as using a manual tranny ECU...plug and play...because my gut instinct says that it's not. Invariably there must be a body control module as well. Is there a tranny temp sensor that would have to be tricked into thinking the tranny fluid was 120*F?

Anyway, if you wouldn't mind putting in a little time, Eric, to put that research into a chunk of info that I can browse in order to decide, again, more than happy come to an agreement of how I can pay you for your time. I have a little bit of money, but I have ZERO time left over after running a business, working a p/t job, AND being a landlord. I just spent 7 hours in the yard yesterday cleaning up. Bad investment (of time), lol.

Anyway, thanks, all, for your assistance.

Kevin

 

[SDEric]

I am not far an expert and please don't pay for free help. Well, you can get more work help with a sixpack then you will get work done, but I digress.

I do know that you have to change the PCM or have it reflashed for the new trans. As far as the connector I think you can just plug it in, I might be wrong and have to use a new connector. Hopefull ford was smart when they put that harness together. I pray that they use the same connector. If you want to look like a factory setup, then you will have to change out the gauges, column, install the clutch pedal, clutch pedal switch, Might want to look at the TPS mod to give you a better reaction time in the pedal. I am sure you can find that on here or someone will chime in with the pros and cons. I also believe that you will have to mod the floor for the shifter as well. I will have to do a bit more research on that. I have been researching this swap myself. I still have a few things to check out to see if it is worth the hassle. I want the swap for the control, fuel economy, and tradition. This is my first rig with an auto, and I am not liking it.

Let me know if I can help out. If you find a decent price maybe we can get a discount for multiple purchases.

E

 

[KevinsOffroad]

Thanks for the great information, Eric. I've printed out the post for reference. Anyone else have anything to add that may have not been covered so far?

GREAT info, Eric...thanks again!!

Kevin

 

[SDEric]

Thanks for the great information, Eric. I've printed out the post for reference. Anyone else have anything to add that may have not been covered so far?

GREAT info, Eric...thanks again!!

Kevin

No problem Kevin,

That is what we are here for. If you ever see a high government official besides the President or Vice President, comming to your town you can bet that I am going too. Look me up, you will know before I do.

E

 

[1HiLimo]

No problem Kevin,

That is what we are here for. If you ever see a high government official besides the President or Vice President, comming to your town you can bet that I am going too. Look me up, you will know before I do.

E

What's with the dual reg fuel bypass kit?I'm a newbee and was just looking around on this site and saw what you've done.also what is the cost of that mod?

 

[CHPMustang]

I too am looking at purchasing at the regulated return kit for our '02 from ITP for our 2002

* Quieter Engine Operation
* Improved Throttle Response
* Increased Power Output
* Increased Fuel Economy

I'm game for all of the above

 

[SDEric]

I purchased my kit from Diesel Innovations it opens up the fuel rails on both ends and allows the air that is building up at the end of the rails to escape back to the tank, and increasing the injector pressure for better antomization, reducing the "cackle" if you will, and increasing mileage. When I put the kit in, I had an increase of 7 MPG.
It also works inconjunciton with the harpoon (hutch's) mod. If you need more info, let us know we can explain more.

 

[JohnBoyToo]

Seven Mpg !?!?!!??!!??!