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Old 02-14-2012, 07:55 PM   #59 (permalink)
Deezler
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 261

Bio Deezler (sold) - '03 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI
90 day: 50.78 mpg (US)

The Beast. - '03 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT
90 day: 12.86 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 36 Times in 22 Posts
Only bad ones (eco-modding wise). I completely changed direction with my car and life. My wife and I decided to take action to get our own farm and (mostly) off-grid home going right away, after finding a terrific deal on a vacant parcel of land I have been watching for years now. Bank finally wanted to just get rid of it and I was lucky enough to qualify for the new financing.

But as per the car.

I was sick of the rough ride and road scraping. It was pretty awesome while it lasted, and I have no regrets, but I was done with "low".

So instead of 2.5" lower vs. stock ride height, it's now 1.7" taller. About 4" higher than I used to drive around. That was quite a shock.



My new direction for the car was a goal of UTILITY. This diesel engine has such a tasty amount of torque and efficiency, that it's quite palatable to accept some minor fuel economy losses in order to open a whole new range of capability.

Once I get some bulk free time (ha!) I plan to build a front light setup just like this:



And a trailer hitch is quickly moving up the priority list of next mods. My buddy has a 5x8 utility trailer that I can use. That's going to ruin my rear diffuser mod.... and my other underpanel came off last winter on a 1000 mile snowboarding trip (didn't fly off, but I had to make a roadside rip-out).

Between the vehicle lift, oversized snow tires, worse aero, no engine heater use (new house has no garage) and less highway commuting, I am pulling only around 44 mpgs these days. Far below my old road trip peaks of 55+ and daily use of ~50... that feels like a long time ago.

All my money and research right now has led me to the purchase of this type of tractor:


So that I can get started clearing my new parcel of overgrown land. Trying to get a permaculture garden going asap!

I still want to add some significant aero-mods to the TDI, but the priority is quite low, to be honest. Maybe someday...
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alohaspirit (02-15-2012), Cd (12-01-2014), COcyclist (02-15-2012)