Jeep Cherokee Aeromods

[FastPlastic]

Ok so it's been a while since I posted. Haven't really had time to do any work on the Jeep. But the weather's getting colder and I'm looking for ideas. I'm already starting to see the MPG's drop because of the colder temps (low 30's is all so far). Trips I once got 18-19MPG's I now get 15-16MPG's and the shorter trips I once got 13-14MPG's are down to 9-11MPG's. The scan gauge is already reading only 14.6MPG's.

My day tends to be short trips every 2-4hours. I have no easy way of doing a engine heater because I park it on the street sometimes up to a block away. I was thinking about adding insulation to the underside of my hood to help hold the heat in. I'd like it to be removable so I can take it out over the summer to help with cooling. Any ideas of what I could make it out of? Would the blue house foam handle the temps in the engine compartment?

Also what other areas would be good to insulate? Would there be any benefit to insulate the differentials/Transmission/Transfer case/Oil pan/coolant hoses?

Any ideas are welcome, even if you think it's crazy. Cost is an issue due to the fact that gas prices have come down a ways. But with the way this thing will guzzle gas in the winter (I've seen as low as 10.9MPG) even some of the more expensive mods would pay for themselves.

[Memorytwo]

Im curious if a solar block heater would work.

[FastPlastic]

Originally Posted by achang1

Im curious if a solar block heater would work.

I've wondered that as well. Were you thinking solar cells running an electric heater or just a hose that you pump the coolant through?

I had an idea run through my head of a combo of both of those. I was thinking running some small black washer fluid hose around the base of the wipers and hook them up to a small pump that was powered by a small solar panel. That way it would only pump the coolant around when the sun was shining.

I've found that I get the worst mileage below about 100degrees engine temp. After that it starts to level off. So even if all it could do it push it up a good 35-50 degrees I think it would make a big difference. You'd probably want to set up some delay so it didn't start pumping hot fluid out to the cold solar collector.

If it does work that would be one of the most energy efficient systems.

Great idea achang1!

Anyone else?

[FastPlastic]

It's finally warm again. So I'm back to the modding. The latest is one of the smaller mods, filling the fender gaps. Seems the fenders aren't anywhere close when it comes to spacing. So I filled the gap with some scrap Black ABS and foam. It should keep some of the air off the tire, hopefully pushing it around the wheel a bit more.

[winkosmosis]

Check out what the front skid plate does

XJ Skid Plates - JeepForum.com

[winkosmosis]

Look at the other skid plates in the thread I posted. The engine skid covers the oil pan, and it continues back to cover the transmission, and reaches the crossmember. At the crossmember the transfercase skid plate starts, which will go quite a ways back. There is one company, Appalachian Armor, working on a full width tcase skid plate that fits over the catalytic convertor. At that point you're close to the rear axle, and it's just a matter of extending with plastic.

Oil pan skid

[FastPlastic]

Those are some nice looking skid plates. Probably a little beyond my price range though.

[winkosmosis]

Easily justified if you offroad because they pay for themselves, but not if you stick to the street.

The front skid is pretty cheap at junkyards, and I've seen one on eBay for $75 shipped

[wily_coyotee]

Thanks very much for this thread. No way I'll ever match your level of skill and inventiveness, but you give me hope.......My Cherokee Diesel might someday become the sleek, agile gazelle she thinks she is....

[FastPlastic]

Originally Posted by wily_coyotee

Thanks very much for this thread. No way I'll ever match your level of skill and inventiveness, but you give me hope.......My Cherokee Diesel might someday become the sleek, agile gazelle she thinks she is....

Where there is a will, There is a way... I feel as if I have only started down the road to better fuel economy. Some things I feel I took the lazy approach. So I strive to do better. Not only to help the environment, but also my pocket book.

I encourage you to start your own thread for your vehicle, the more on ecomodder the better. Feel free to steal any ideas/improve them. I'm always open for new ideas/changes.