Jeep Cherokee Aeromods

[FastPlastic]

Originally Posted by Tony Raine

wrap the exhaust pipe with "header wrap"? (hi-temp insulation tape for exhaust headers)

That's an awesome idea. Can't believe I forgot about that stuff.

[DifferentPointofView]

heheh, I'm back. And I did some reading.. NICE JOB!!!!

Have you been putting these numbers in your fuel log? cause your 90 day is only 18.96.

Whens the last time you put in new shocks? I put in front shocks, and didn't see much improvement in FE, but the ride was much better, and after I put in the backs I've noticed a significant increase in Fuel Economy. One shock was blown.

I've noticed that I can take turns 10 miles an hour faster than I used to, which is why the FE has increased.

[FastPlastic]

Originally Posted by DifferentPointofView

heheh, I'm back. And I did some reading.. NICE JOB!!!!

Have you been putting these numbers in your fuel log? cause your 90 day is only 18.96.

Whens the last time you put in new shocks? I put in front shocks, and didn't see much improvement in FE, but the ride was much better, and after I put in the backs I've noticed a significant increase in Fuel Economy. One shock was blown.

I've noticed that I can take turns 10 miles an hour faster than I used to, which is why the FE has increased.

Yes sadly I have already put in the new numbers. Way too many city miles at 16mpg keeping the number down.

Can't say I've checked the shocks lately. The ride does tend to be kinda ruff with the higher tire pressures. I picked it up at 39,000miles so I'm guessing there still the stock shocks (up to 71,000miles now). Something worth looking in to. Thanks for the tip

[Smoove]

I had an old beater, a 78 Mercury Cougar, that had the exhaust hit the frame and the rear axle at different speeds. The car wasn't worth fixing properly, plus I was broke, so I cut an old radiator hose and wrapped part of it around the axle tube with some metal clasps (the ones with the worm gear, the name escapes me). Where it hit th frame I wrapped a small piece of header wrap around the pipe, another radiator hose piece over that, all clamped down. I still see the car occasionally and although the exhaust has been repaired the axle wrap is still there.

I just put new shocks on about a month ago, I lost 2/10 of a mpg. I attributed it to having a lowered front end but the shocks being for the stock height. The air dam gave me that loss back. If I could only get my hands on some coroplast..and a parking spot.

And yet again, Nice Work!

[FastPlastic]

Had some time to paint today. Isn't it sexy?

[FastPlastic]

Moving on down. My next project will be the largest piece so far. Coming in at 46in in length. It's going to get the same creased treatment for strength and noise reduction. And depending on if it's strong enough it may end up getting some reinforcement towards the middle due to it's length. I had to seam two panels together to get the length I needed. Again only two bolts will have to be removed to take off the panel.

[FastPlastic]

Here's the first test fit of the new panel. I went ahead and creased it and put it on again. Just didn't have time to take some new pics. Took it out for a test drive up to about 60mph. Didn't hear any noise from the panel. But we had a good 15-20mph wind so I couldn't really test MPG's with it.

[orange4boy]

Nice work,

Your underbody aero work is inspiring and nice and clean. I started with the mechanical mods first. I'm going to start my underbody aero soon.

I can relate with the large vehicle mpg breakthroughs. I started at 15/20 with my Previa now I get roughly 27/37 which to me is awesome. although I have better aero to start with. Those numbers don't seem like much compared to the metros but we have a bigger challenge. When I started I had hoped for 20/30, my goal is now 30 city and 50 highway.

I'm basically an alternator less evangelist so here goes. Try it. un-belt and disconnect. Hook up your multi meter to keep tabs, top it up with a charger before you go and keep your load low. See how much FE you gain. Then you can start dreaming of deep cycle yellow tops.

[zjrog]

I really like what you are doing. Inspiring seems too cliche. Since my daughter's XJ doesn't see much offroad use, some of what you have done might be applied.

But I can't see doing much underbody on my Grand Cherokee as it sees a lot of offroad use. I've said elswhere that it will be lifted soon and this past weekend I switched from 30" tires to 31" tires. As a starting point I went with the same tire pressures as I was using before, so we'll see what the MPG hit is. And it will soon be going 2" higher as well.

I like the underbody work, but to be any benefit to me, it would need to be more sturdy. I like the work you did with the front axle and the deflectors you made under the lower control arms, I'll be adding skidplates there instead for durability, but nice that it will also allow air to move over that spot better. I guarentee that deflector under the center of the axle wouldn't last long with me. And with the 2" lift, I'm replacing all the front stamped control arms with tubular arms. While an improvement in strength, not likely to help aero, but MIGHT cut down on some turbulence under the rig.

I haven't driven the ZJ much of late, my kids are using while I have their 4x4s in my garage, again... Daughter's XJ blew a headgasket taking her to college. Towed it home with the ZJ and still managed almost 19 for the 150 miles... Son's Ranger was finished but then we tore the front suspension apart and are waiting for a new axle...

Keep up the great work. I see some bits I can apply!!!

[Daox]

Looks great. 25 mpg is pretty darn good, especially at highway speeds.