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If I lower an econoline 250 1/2" or 1" will it get better gas mileage? How much?
...and if it would have some effect what is the cheapest way to lower the van? I know that if I got lower profile tires it would change the gear ratio.
About 10+ years ago, a car magazine was comparing an Econline to a Mustang in a tutorial about drag (wind resistance). There conclusion, which they proved, was the biggest reduction in drag that they could achieve as to remove the outside mirrors. They did so and had measurable improvement in fuel economy.
Helpful hint: Forget it. Lowering what is basically a fridge sliding down the highway will ad next to nothing in mileage. Better bet is to check the ratio of the rear axle. Vans are typically designed for loads, so a higher geared drive axle can increase mileage but lower load capacity. The axel ratio can be found by a code on the drivers side door jam. The numbers work in reverse: a 4:10 is low geared, and a 3:00 is high geared. My van has a 3:00 ratio with a T18 std. trans & works fine: but no overdrive: thus 11.53 mpg. Check if you currently have overdrive in your transmission. An automatic tranny swap can be tricky w/ computers. A manual may be easier, depending on which type of clutch you have: mechanical or hydraulic. The manual ZF 5 speed tranny's are a good bet, (hydraulic clutch) but for the swap find someone with experience doing this.
Never forget our brothers who are out on " Eternal Patrol " the ones who will never come home but who will always be in our hearts. You are the true heros of America.
Smoothing out the bottom of the van would have more effect than lowering of course depending on what you used to "smooth it" you will end up with a long payback time.
Anyone remember cars that had "passenger side mirror" as an option? They did that to help with their cafe #'s!
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1991 Ford Probe LX 3.0 mtx
If you have intermittant running problems or a flat spot/buck/dying/cutting out while accelerating.
Do your self a favor and try some dedicated gas
line dryer, Double or even triple dose it, It's cheaper
then throwing parts at a problem that doesn't throw
codes!!
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Lowering a van to get better gas mileage 
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