Off road friendly aeromodding... My lil beast

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by E.Roy

On the transfer case, I believe that a 4x4 tcase will still have the front axle turning, just not the driveshaft, so not much savings IMO over AWD

That's what free-wheel hubs are all about

[E.Roy]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

That's what free-wheel hubs are all about

Exactly, I'm happy I have that feature on my '91 Dodge. I believe that makes the u-joints last for decades.
I was just saying on the vehicle this thread is about, a tcase swap might not help FE much if the swap was done just for FE.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by E.Roy

I was just saying on the vehicle this thread is about, a tcase swap might not help FE much if the swap was done just for FE.

Swapping just the T-case would still be effective to decrease the fuel consumption, but not so much as it would with some free-wheel hubs fitted to the front axle.

[chillsworld]

Originally Posted by E.Roy

Chillsworld, those Mountaineers and Explorers (especially with the 302) are great quality vehicles. I had a '96 4.0 OHV 2wd 5speed from FL, one of my favorites vehicles I've owned, and changed my mind on Ford. I got up to 24mpg with it. I just told a friend yesterday to let me know if he sells his daughters AWD Mountaineer.

Oh she's an amazing maching, close to 300k miles and other than running hot and having an oil leak... She just scoots along and does whatever I ask of her

On the transfer case, I believe that a 4x4 tcase will still have the front axle turning, just not the driveshaft, so not much savings IMO over AWD

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Swapping just the T-case would still be effective to decrease the fuel consumption, but not so much as it would with some free-wheel hubs fitted to the front axle.

You're both right. in 1997 they removed the central disconnect, which means the front is live even if it's got a 4x4 transfer case. I would get better FE due to a lack of parasitic loss when in "RWD", but not the 15-30% I would get if it was a 1996 with the disconnect... Or at least that's what my research has told me. Most people choose to swap in an awd t-case from another ford that has the ability to go 4x4 and 4x4 Lo. They do this so they can keep the electronic AWD but gain the offroad performance of 4x4. Most, if not all swaps I see, are trying to accomplish the opposite of my goals. Somebody like me looking for better FE, isn't the normal guy modifying an Explorer/Mountaineer


~C

[freebeard]

Hey, hey—this is the Aerodynamics subforum.

Moon disks!

[chillsworld]

Saw this on my internet travels..

I don't have the money for that, but a punched body pan???? basically allowing the exhaust and engine air to escape the length of the underbody without disrupting under body flow? The punches are up towards the body and facing the front of the car, not punched down creating more drag. They would be like scoops catching flowing air between the pan and body... Then directing it under the body.



~C

[freebeard]

Standard 1940's dry lakes practice. I'd like to see anyone do that with Coroplast.

[chillsworld]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Standard 1940's dry lakes practice. I'd like to see anyone do that with Coroplast.

Is that a challenge?

-C

[freebeard]

You can take it for one if you like.

Actually, I'm a Polymetal bigot/booster with contempt for Coroplast. It was an attempt at a take-that zinger.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I'd rather use plywood instead of coroplast for that. I have seen underbody protections made out of plywood in some off-road racing vehicles.