The Development of Ford's Natural Gas Powered Ranger 852277
Operation of America's first factory built vehicles modified to operate on natural gas began in April, 1984, when Ford Motor Company delivered the first of 27 specially equipped 1984 Ranger pickup trucks to 25 major utility and natural gas related companies in the United States and Canada. In addition to the fuel system, modifications to these test vehicles include a 12.8:1 compression ratio engine and a unique distributor calibration to provide performance similar to the gasoline powered vehicle. The fuel tanks are significantly more expensive than gasoline tanks and remain one of the major cost issues with a natural gas powered vehicle. There are however, no unresolvable technological issues that would prevent motor vehicles from operating economically and efficiently on natural gas.
Author(s):
Tim G. Adams
Affiliated:
Ford Motor Co.
Pages: 8
Event:
3rd International Pacific Conference on Automotive Engineering (1985)
Also in:
Motor Vehicle Technology-Mobility for Prosperity-P-169
Related Topics:
Natural gas
Light trucks
Fuel tanks
Fuel systems
Gasoline
Suppliers
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