Interesting MPG comparison before/after mods

So I was looking through my records on my 2023 Base Sas 2.7 2 door Bronco. Last winter (Dec 23-Apr 24) compared to this winter (Dec 24-Apr 25) since both time frames were winter gas.

Last winter, my truck had BFG KM3 35x12.5x17 E rated tires and I had just installed the MBRP 3" cat-back exhaust (has resonator and muffler) and the truck averaged 16.7 mpg from Dec to the end of Apr. I ran premium gas in Mar and Apr but regular before that. The computer mpg avg was 17.24 so it was off by .5 mpg.

This winter, I installed 37x12.5x17 BFG KO2's that are C rated (lighter than the E rated 35 MK3's) on the same wheels. I installed the Mishimoto intercooler and upgraded charge pipes, added the FPP Procal tune, Corsa airbox (and oil separator) and larger S&B filter. I did not reprogram for the taller tires since the speedo was actually reading correctly at every speed trap (the 35's were reading high at every speed trap). I did run premium the whole time because of the tune. Without any speedo correction, the 37's and mods got me 17.02 mpg and it was much colder for 2 months this past winter. The computer mpg avg was 17.93 so it was off by .9 this winter. I also lifted the truck 2" a month ago so not really enough time to see if there is any impact.

So with the 37's and mods my mpg went up for sure (.32 mpg raw calculation) and if you add in the 5.7% correction for the tire change, it would be closer to 1.3 mpg increase. I'm sure the lighter C rated tires helped but the other mods must have helped it breathe a bit better as well. Both time frames included some boat towing in the Apr time frame and I was using premium at that point both years. I'll compare it again this summer now that we have the summer gas showing up. I find it interesting that the factory speedo was off by 5-6% with the stock 35's so a lot of Sas owners might be reporting overly optimistic mpg numbers if there truck speedo is off as well.

I'm happy with my truck and the mods didn't seem to hurt but actually helped. Now I wonder if I can stop doing mods!

wait a minute--you're missing two doors. No wonder your mileage went up with the lighter weight.

<d&r>

How ironic that I see this post. We recently upgraded our Black Diamond non-SAS 2.7 from SAS take off 315s to KO2 37s and our gas mileage has gone up approximately 1 - 1.5 mpg. Currently sitting at 17.5 mpg. Tire size updated in forscan to within .5 mph. No other mods besides Bilstein 2" coilover lift.

JL8jeff said:

Base Sas 2.7 2 door Bronco.

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That's like , "The Immaculate Build" , LOL!!!

BaseSquatch6 > Badlands/Wildtrak

If it weren't for the fact my daughter wanted to learn how to drive a manual, that was the route I was going to go as well.

My only regert was Ford taking away the manual from the Squatch option in 21 ... how supremely stupid.

Anywhoo, I jumped into the 35's with my 4.46 geared 2.3 manual , and was able to pull 21 mpg on the highway .
Better than I got with the factory 30's on it.
The key is using 5th gear.
That set up puts 5th gear at 78/80 mph at 2700 rpm and the 2.3 LOVES it.
Any attempt to use 6th makes the motor STRUGGLE and it goes into boost, which SLAUGHTERS fuel mileage.

ECO - boost
Economy or boost , you can only pick one.

Lucky, mine only goes down more after each change. I'm down a good 8-10 mpg from stock.

Seems counterintuitive but that’s cool if it’s working in your favor.

I remember people going up a tire size during the gas crisis in the 1970's to squeeze a little extra mileage out of their cars. I also remember spending a couple hours waiting in line to get $5 worth of gas.

VAtruck said:

I remember people going up a tire size during the gas crisis in the 1970's to squeeze a little extra mileage out of their cars. I also remember spending a couple hours waiting in line to get $5 worth of gas.

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What was that 10 gal worth?

I was not buying gas until the 80’s and it was under a dollar a gallon.

CitrusBronco said:

What was that 10 gal worth?

I was not buying gas until the 80’s and it was under a dollar a gallon.

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About that. The hilarious part was everyone in line had their engines running.

This is random and not related to the topic of gas mileage on 2 door Broncos.

The 2023 Base Sas 2.7 2 door Bronco seems like a standard choice for many 2023 owners. Does the Sasquatch option come with larger tires/wheels standard/stock? Is the Sasquatch a 2023 Base Sas 2.7 2 door Bronco. I have been waiting 2 years to ask about the 2023 2 door Broncos.

Are owners generally happy with their 2023 purchases?

Can I buy a used 2023 2 door Bronco with a tow package option, rated to a certain tonnage for tow recommendation, and how are the transmissions on these Tow Package Bronco's holding up? Is the Ford tow package option good enough if towing in hills or mountains or are there owners who make modifications to enhance towing abilities?

We are not looking to have the F-350 tow package for a Bronco, but we would like to tow certain heavy loads, like our single axle trailer full of firewood, or a load to the dump. Maybe an Oliver two axle travel trailer could be towed on the interstate from Phoenix to Flagstaff, but we don't want to burn out a transmission.

Now that 2023 Bronco owners are putting some miles on these 2 doors, we are almost in the market to buy a used 2023 Base Sas 2.7 2 door Bronco or even a tricked-out Sasquatch with different bells and whistles. We really miss our 1991 Eddie Bauer. We always kept the original stock wheel size, and that probably helped keep gas mileage reasonable. That Bronco was my daily commuter.

91 Br@nco said:

This is random and not related to the topic of gas mileage on 2 door Broncos.

The 2023 Base Sas 2.7 2 door Bronco seems like a standard choice for many 2023 owners. Does the Sasquatch option come with larger tires/wheels standard/stock? Is the Sasquatch a 2023 Base Sas 2.7 2 door Bronco. I have been waiting 2 years to ask about the 2023 2 door Broncos.

Are owners generally happy with their 2023 purchases?

Can I buy a used 2023 2 door Bronco with a tow package option, rated to a certain tonnage for tow recommendation, and how are the transmissions on these Tow Package Bronco's holding up? Is the Ford tow package option good enough if towing in hills or mountains or are there owners who make modifications to enhance towing abilities?

We are not looking to have the F-350 tow package for a Bronco, but we would like to tow certain heavy loads, like our single axle trailer full of firewood, or a load to the dump. Maybe an Oliver two axle travel trailer could be towed on the interstate from Phoenix to Flagstaff, but we don't want to burn out a transmission.

Now that 2023 Bronco owners are putting some miles on these 2 doors, we are almost in the market to buy a used 2023 Base Sas 2.7 2 door Bronco or even a tricked-out Sasquatch with different bells and whistles. We really miss our 1991 Eddie Bauer. We always kept the original stock wheel size, and that probably helped keep gas mileage reasonable. That Bronco was my daily commuter.

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I have a 2022 Base 2 door Sasquatch with 2.7 and love it. I have had it 3 years now- ordered at the reveal. I typically change vehicles in about 1.5 years so 3 years is long time for me. I have had no real issues with it and it is super fun to drive. It is mostly stock except for I installed MBRB 3" dual CAT back so now it has some sound. (And I gained .1 MPG). Regarding towing, I did install the hitch but not the wiring yet although have not towed. I have towed with short wheel base vehicles before- Jeep TJ Wrangler with no problems at all. I feel that the Bronco will tow a small trailer well around town- even on hills- better than the Wrangler even as the 2.7 has lots of torque. On the highway trying to go 70 MPH or more, I feel the wind resistance will be more of a problem than anything else. it will do it but not efficiently. You MPOG will plummet to I will guess 11 MPG. A pick up would be a better choice for highway towing for sure- longer wheel base an more aerodynamic.

91 Br@nco said:

Can I buy a used 2023 2 door Bronco with a tow package option, rated to a certain tonnage for tow recommendation, and how are the transmissions on these Tow Package Bronco's holding up? Is the Ford tow package option good enough if towing in hills or mountains or are there owners who make modifications to enhance towing abilities?

We are not looking to have the F-350 tow package for a Bronco, but we would like to tow certain heavy loads, like our single axle trailer full of firewood, or a load to the dump. Maybe an Oliver two axle travel trailer could be towed on the interstate from Phoenix to Flagstaff, but we don't want to burn out a transmission.

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The modern 6G Bronco has no extra tow package to add on. The only item is the receiver. The tow capacity is low at 3500 lbs. with a very low tongue weight.
The engine and transmission are not the limiting factor, the suspension/chassis is.
The ‘91 Bronco could be optioned at over twice the tow capacity of these new Broncos.

From ‘78 to 96 the Bronco was based off the pickup truck chassis and drivetrain which gave it the much higher towing capacity. Not the situation for the new Broncos.

If towing over 3500 lbs is needed plan on a different vehicle.

As a daily driver they are great, for off-road they are fantastic.
I kept my pickup for towing because well the Bronco is just not up to it.

CitrusBronco said:

Seems counterintuitive but that’s cool if it’s working in your favor.

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Nothing counterintuitive at all if you step back and consider what’s happening.

Larger tire sizes are like changing a final drive ratio. You have worse acceleration, but a higher speed at any given RPM.

The aerodynamic changes are limited here given the modest change in ride height.

Finally, having lower weight tires pays off - less energy needed to get up to speed.

Great video on this topic:

CitrusBronco said:

The modern 6G Bronco has no extra tow package to add on. The only item is the receiver. The tow capacity is low at 3500 lbs. with a very low tongue weight.
The engine and transmission are not the limiting factor, the suspension/chassis is.
The ‘91 Bronco could be optioned at over twice the tow capacity of these new Broncos.

From ‘78 to 96 the Bronco was based off the pickup truck chassis and drivetrain which gave it the much higher towing capacity. Not the situation for the new Broncos.

If towing over 3500 lbs is needed plan on a different vehicle.

As a daily driver they are great, for off-road they are fantastic.
I kept my pickup for towing because well the Bronco is just not up to it.

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Our Broncos are based off a pickup truck chassis.

It’s just a different truck in the range.

Have a badlands 2.7 2door on 37 ( recaliberated for tires) and a k&n filter nothing more .19.8 to 21,9. Depending on what cheap gas i use. Dropped my 4 door badlands ( wifes mall crawler) to 30.'s and it gets 22.1 to 24.5 with a K&N air filter..