Jeep I6(242) E-Fan Swap

[Smoove]

I was probably running close to 1000w myself, with no problems on the stock 90a alternator. I built my system for SPL, and with the standard Jeep a/c (which means it never worked), I typically drive windows down and sunroof open, 75mph and the stereo on. I am also running 85w driving lights through a harness. Nothing ever gave me grief, until I used the fan. I believe it drew 80a on startup, 60a continuous draw, but I am not 100% on those numbers. Even with a 160a Ohio Generators amp it was a little worrisome.

The perma-cool/flex-a-lite combo doesn't cool as well, it does the job but scared me once or twice, but it is much more trouble free.

[DifferentPointofView]

I just realized I typed 2400w stereo *doh!* I meant 2400w (1200wRMS) sound system.

[Nerys]

I see this 3 fan fully sealed ball bearing setup on ebay for the cherokee for $275 was considering it. Claims it only draws 5.8amps.

I am also thinking about electrifying everything else. Gearing an electric motor the the power steering and setting it to say only turn on when below 40mph

Electric Water pump.

that would eliminate all belted devices except the alternator and the compressor. I was also thinking of disconnecting the alternator and adding some batteries but keeping the alternator installed as a "just in case" and "plug in" to recharge.

I am also thinking peltier coolers. Route the coolant to a small aluminum tank at the bottom install some peltier coolers on the tank with some beefy fins right in the airstream. I am wondering if the cooling verse amp draw would be better than the fans etc.. (gonna have to meter a peltier and see how much power they draw)

Lots of ideas. Just need time and money to do them.

FINALLY got the jeep running again. Had a bad Harmonic Balancer Repalced No fix bad fuel pump replaced no joy still ran like crap.

Was about to do full computer sensor swap from the donor vehicle and mechanic bumped the cat. We both heard it and went hmmm. Maybe it was choking itself. Disconnecting the exhaust RAN like a champ!! so I grabbed the entire exhaust from the other jeep (cat back no header pipe rusted) Good news the cat is 1/3 the size of the other one (same year vehicles too!! odd) bad news this means the header pipe will not REACH the cat :-) I will either have to add a chunk of pipe inline there is move it forward if the hangers will permit it and extend the tail pipe. We are going to do this tuesday.

At that point my baby should be drivable! (452,000 miles on the engine we just took out!!!) I used to clock 50 to 60 thousand miles a year back then :-)

My jeep is finally coming back to life!! :-) I can't wait!

[rgathright]

Here is a list of things I did:

1) Electric Fan, go with high CFM! The engine will overheat in the summer with AC on.
2) Remove front driveshaft. Simply get a crecent wrench and undo the bolts holding the front shaft in place. You will notice a reduction in the amount of pedal you need @ 75Mph+. I can post pictures if you do not believe me... this mod really works!
3) Disconnect alternator cables and run in Hybrid mode. The Jeep TJ can travel 30 miles with four restarts in this mode on the stock battery. I bought a 12 amp battery charger at the local hardware store and recharge with a quick disconnect cable everynight.

Here are some pics:


Here is a 90% efficient power supply that I rebuilt/upgraded for this use.


I now get 22 MPG on a lifted 33" tire TJ.

Visit my blogs on myspace for more info. http://www.myspace.com/reubengathright

[Red]

Welcome to EM rgathright

Bad habit from JF, but is your MPG calculated with the right speedo gear?

[rgathright]

I know when I'm going 70 its actually 75.

I do not want to fix it because it is Roundtree Dodge's fault, they sold it to me that way.

[Nerys]

Is your 22mpg "corrected" for your odomoter value adjustment? If your speedo is off almost 99% certain your odo is off as well by the same percentage :-)

My jeep has auto hubs and select track (cherokee XJ) I will verify but my front drive shaft should not be spinning at all when I am in 2wheel mode. Is this specific to TJ's ?

Right now mods mean nothing to me as I am netting a measily 18-19mpg (bad O2 Sensor grr those things are expensive and while I have in fact spent TWICE the cost of an O2 sensor in extra gas sadly the O2 Sensor seller will not take "payments" :-) hehe

I am curious about the alt disconnect. I run the air (its just too hot not too) so I am not sure if I could make my commute and the second half is at night. While I do not need the air at night lately I do need the lights.

Also what has it done to your battery in wear and tear? IE have you factored the cost of sooner battery replacement in?

I imagine your largest savings will be the front shaft disconnect if your is always spinning otherwise. I guess I am going to have to check mine and see if it spins.

[Smoove]

I have recently ditched the electric fan setup, the VSC started giving me grief (staying on constantly, even when the car was off or not turning on at all) and with my time in my ZJ coming near an end I made the call to go back to stock. I lost .5 mpg.

I used to remove my front driveshaft during the summers (01 to 05), especially for long trips, and I would only gain a few tenths improvement at best. I attribute most drastic driveshaft removal mileage increases from the better summer gas and not letting the car idle to warm up. Also according to my g-tech my 0-60 and 1/4 mile times were not affected. I don't mind crawling under the rig for an improvement, but I can't justify this one.

Hybrid mode sounds interesting in a not-for-me kind of way, its still cool that someone is trying new things. As a city guy I can't plug in every night (or ever), plus I like my electrical goodies.