Learning how to make a brick "sleek"

[JeepNmpg2]

Hello all,

I've been avidly reading threads here for the past week or so and finally decided to join. I don't know how much of an ecomodder I am, but I definately like saving money at the pump! My goal in joining here is to learn how to set up my 2000 Cherokee to get something higher than it's abysmal 17MPG it currently holds on to. It won't be for a while yet that I get to work on it, but I can at least draw up the plans and get a good parts list. I still like taking it offroad and such, but when I go across the country, it would pay dividends to be able to get 25 to 50 percent better gas milleage. I'm designing quick release eco components that can "attach" to my bumper system and frame. I don't have one of the scangauges that are so revered here, but my Bullydog Econometer does most of the same functions (though it's still in the box as I've not been able to install it yet).

[cfg83]

JeepNmpg2 -

Welcome to EM! Just off the top of my head, I think Big Dave has lot's of great truck mods to study.

CarloSW2

[gone-ot]

...a "slick" BRICK?

[FastPlastic]

Welcome to Ecomodder!

Glad to see another Cherokee on the forums.

[MadisonMPG]

If that's your Jeep in your pic, I would say... Get rid of all that extra that didn't' come on it, and put on road tires.

[gone-ot]

...MORE weight = LESS mpg.

...in the 3K lb range, the relationship is approximately: (wt1/wt2)^(0.72) = (mpg2/mpg1)

[JeepNmpg2]

Originally Posted by MadisonMPG

If that's your Jeep in your pic, I would say... Get rid of all that extra that didn't' come on it, and put on road tires.

Actually, I don't have a pic of my Cherokee to post, I'm deployed and just happened not to have one on the hard drives that I brought with me. But the one in the pic that I am using is about as close as it could be (my rack is a heck of a lot more aerodynamic).

One thing to remember is that everyone here isn't going for "absolute economy," as I personally am looking to compromise in using removable eco-components. Since this rig is my daily driver (and my commute rarely gets above 35 mph for now) I don't anticipate ecomodding it out. HOWEVER, I do have plans I'm drawing up to fab when I get back for parts that I can install for longer, highway/freeway trips. Remember, I'm trying for a best of both worlds approach, not to say I might not remove the offending roof cargo rack for a long trip if not in use or I can't ecomod around it (which I'm still dreaming up now). I know I can't have everything, but I do know what I'm not willing to give up, so I need to compromise for them.

[JeepNmpg2]

Originally Posted by FastPlastic

Welcome to Ecomodder!

Glad to see another Cherokee on the forums.

Definately man. I've been actually fairly inspired by some of your mods, but in particular to the underpan, I'm drawing up a hinged airdam/underpan combo unit that airtightly clips on to the existing bracketry on my bull bar and to the lower side of the axel. I'll only be using it on long trips, so as long as it can travel four to six inches, I should be fine. I'll make sure to post whatever I figure out.

JeepNmpg2

[FastPlastic]

Originally Posted by JeepNmpg2

I'm trying for a best of both worlds approach, not to say I might not remove the offending roof cargo rack for a long trip if not in use or I can't ecomod around it (which I'm still dreaming up now). I know I can't have everything, but I do know what I'm not willing to give up, so I need to compromise for them.

I'm all for the quick and simple bolt on mods. Hell, if they work well enough you could probably make a few bucks building them.

Originally Posted by JeepNmpg2

Definately man. I've been actually fairly inspired by some of your mods, but in particular to the underpan, I'm drawing up a hinged airdam/underpan combo unit that airtightly clips on to the existing bracketry on my bull bar and to the lower side of the axel. I'll only be using it on long trips, so as long as it can travel four to six inches, I should be fine. I'll make sure to post whatever I figure out.

JeepNmpg2

I look forward to seeing what you come up with I have yet to find time to truly finish mine, but so far the results have been good, so I'm not going to complain. I think next step on my list is to cover over the back side of the back bumper. I don't know for sure if air gets up in there, but with the new smoother underbody I'm guessing its more likely it does. That thing is kind of like a parashoot from the looks of things. I found a big old piece of foam board that I was going to use for now, if it seems to help I may see about replacing it with some corogated plastic.

[JeepNmpg2]

Originally Posted by FastPlastic

I'm all for the quick and simple bolt on mods. Hell, if they work well enough you could probably make a few bucks building them.

I don't know how efficient they will be or even if there is a demand for cherokee aeromods, but once done, it probably wouldn't be too difficult to template out. Or in the very least make an instructable. One strike against reproducing this is everything that I'm mounting these mods to is considered aftermarket equipment and doesn't share many of the normal lines that a stock cherokee has. I know right now that my biggest pain to get past is going to be the rooftop cargo rack/light assembly. I'm trying to figure out how to best make a fairing that streamlines the four six inch globes into the rest of the rack and pushes air over the top instead of allowing it to filter through them and the rack. Key of all, it has to be CLEAN so that I'm not wasting my effort and just making 'less' dirty air.

Originally Posted by FastPlastic

I look forward to seeing what you come up with I have yet to find time to truly finish mine, but so far the results have been good, so I'm not going to complain. I think next step on my list is to cover over the back side of the back bumper. I don't know for sure if air gets up in there, but with the new smoother underbody I'm guessing its more likely it does. That thing is kind of like a parashoot from the looks of things. I found a big old piece of foam board that I was going to use for now, if it seems to help I may see about replacing it with some corogated plastic.

I will have the same problem with my aftermarket rear bumper, as it's a hollow shell that is an open cavity on the body side. let me know what works easiest (and hopefully cheapest) for you.

Of note, I like your solution for the front radiator vents. I have that bullbar in front, I'm going to try to create a modular "over box" that would sit over and through tbe bullbar up flush with the radiator intake. I'll make vents on the sides so that the engine can suck air if it needs cooling but at highway, it shouldn't need that even. One more mod (I should probably do it in conjunction with the air box) is to upgrade the pulley driven fan to an electric model. I found a more than capable dual speed one out of a 94 Ford Taurus (and should fit according to a write up I found).

Well, this post is long enough, thanks for the input FastPlastic.