Increasing MPG with 31" All-Terrians

[DifferentPointofView]

don't worry, you'll see a noticable improvement. it will come. grillle blocks work great too.

[FX2.3]

Originally Posted by meemooer

true, i thought about that as well, but my fuel mileage has only varied 1~1.5 mpg from winter to summer. But i can tell the grill block difference, because it doesn't downshift as often or as early on my trip. Plus drafting... it won't downshift going up hill, it's great.

Ohh and FX2.3, do you have a E-fan? if not, get the one from Jusnes [?] modified. I have that and when i put it on last year it up'd me 2 mpg in town

Yeah, I bought one when they had the first group buy, but sold it to rong5, who sold it to someone else.. the 2.3L has both the mech and an electric fan.. I dont feel like touching the engine though, body panels are one thing, but the engine is not my thing..

Ill try a grille block but the only problem I see is Im in texas and it gets hot as fck.. so it wont be a full one, I just want to smooth out the bottom and the spoiler thing..

i got 21.75 on my last tank.. and thats with +80mph on the highway and flooring it alot so Im happy with that but with gas now $3.35 I need to stop that..

Idea:

Red = metal sheet
Blue = Plastic

It would be hard to cover all of the under belly as the driveshaft and muffler are the moving / hot spots.. and the rear axle needs flex room.. so I could smooth about 60% of the bottom, but that will need to wait till summer!

[DifferentPointofView]

what metal would you use? if you were concerned about heat, aluminum would be nice. not the strongest metal though...

[meemooer]

have you thought about boxing in the lower control arms? I've thought about it, first for offroading, now for aero. I think for aero, some plastic would work. I just need to get my hands on materials

[Otto]

Originally Posted by meemooer

have you thought about boxing in the lower control arms? I've thought about it, first for offroading, now for aero. I think for aero, some plastic would work. I just need to get my hands on materials

I'm considering this on my little Bimmer, using 4' wide Coroplast for the center section, which would cover out to the bases of the control arms but sill leave sufficient gap for the wheels to steer right and left. If you need a cool air duct to ventilate the finned oil pan, a NACA inlet could very easily be made into the Coroplast, using a utility knife and foil tape.

The outboard sections of the chin fairing will be Coroplast that curves down to make wheel fairings for the front tires, more streamlined than those stubby little air dams that don't do much, anyway.

[FX2.3]

Originally Posted by DifferentPointofView

what metal would you use? if you were concerned about heat, aluminum would be nice. not the strongest metal though...

aluminum.. though aluminum is not cheap

Originally Posted by meemooer

have you thought about boxing in the lower control arms? I've thought about it, first for offroading, now for aero. I think for aero, some plastic would work. I just need to get my hands on materials

Not sure exactly what you mean but this is what I did today!






Now I dont expect much if any mpg difference as is, but it will be a great test for durability.. made from 24x36 Corrugated Plastic, cut and bent..

when/if I redo them I will make them extend farther down the skid plate and add deflectors infront of the tires with an aluminum subframe for strength..

[DifferentPointofView]

you could recycle a lot of aluminum to get some help buying some new aluminum

[FX2.3]

Originally Posted by DifferentPointofView

you could recycle a lot of aluminum to get some help buying some new aluminum

thats one way to kill a liver i mean.. errr.. no officer..

though all those cans rivited together should be enough

"i've got your jeep thing.. it's at the end of my tow strap."
^I kid I kid!

[zjrog]

You a funny man, what with youz little 4x2... Its all good. Nothing like a little ribbing between wheelers...

[meemooer]

Originally Posted by zjrog

You a funny man, what with youz little 4x2... Its all good. Nothing like a little ribbing between wheelers...

"Yeah, it's a Ranger." Or "Don't worry, it's a Ranger"
Thats my answers to anyone that doesn't think i can do something in my truck, then i do it!
And I thought your Jeep thing was the reason why it burns when i pee??
HAHA

Good start man, how did you attach them? I can see something that looks like a screw in one pic. What I meant by box the control arms, is pretty much just cover or enclose the bottom open area. ZJ gave me an idea that i'm going to try out here in a few days.