2002 Jeep Wrangler used for work need ideas.

[Ratrod]

I deliver mail with my Jeep and notice to just sucks the fuel down. It has a 4.0 six cylinder and automatic with 3.73 gears. I am running running 225/75/15 tires and plan to use 215's. I have changed the spark plugs, air filter and use synthetic oil. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[tumnasgt]

Is downsizing the vehicle an option? If you are able to use a different vehicle for delivering mail and are doing a lot of miles, it might be cheaper to buy a smaller car and use that.

Regardless of whether or not downsizing is an option, the driving tips page is a great place to start.

[comptiger5000]

What kind of mpg are you getting now?

[NHRABill]

being that your tag says you are in Washington and that you deliver mail I am guessing that the 4x4 is a necessity not an option especially if you are in a rural area.

I would suggest change your axle fluids to synthetic especially if it time to change it.. try and shed some unnecessary weight if possible pull full size spare for a space saver. Depending on your jeeps model and year maybe look to get a new coil change your wires cap and rotor if you have them and make sure that you run the higher tire pressure.

That is what I would do , doesn't mean I am correct. I am sure some more creative suggestions will be on their way soon

[comptiger5000]

I agree with all of the above. An 02 4.0 is distributorless, so it's got 1 big coil rail on top of the plugs and no wires.

If you don't mind switching Jeeps, an XJ (Cherokee) is actually lighter than your TJ, and correspondingly will give a bit better mileage around town. They're just as capable, and also available with a 5 speed (like the TJ), so getting a 5 speed XJ would be a win-win for mileage.

[Frank Lee]

I've had several rural delivery routes, year around, in MN. I've used a Corvair, classic Bug, and a Skylark to do them. The Skylark was the best because it actually had heat. I found no need for 4x4. When roads were bad I piled more cargo over the drive end: Corvair and Bug, in the back seat and floor; Skylark, front seat and floor, as much as possible. The more econo I got, the more money that stayed in my pocket. I also got real good at prepping before the stops and making them uber fast- like a racing pit stop game.

[Ratrod]

Thanks, I am up by the Canadian Border and the roads can get awful real quick. I like the jeep for driving to the mail boxes and will shed some weight. I didnt know that the Wranglers weighed more than a Cherokee.

[comptiger5000]

Yeah. The XJ is one of the lightest SUVs, at about 3100 lbs. A TJ (97-06 Wrangler) weighs around 3500 - 3800 lbs. Also, keep in mind, being an 02, your TJ only has a 3 speed auto, no overdrive. An 03+ would have a 4 speed auto with OD. Any 5 speed TJ, or any auto or 5 speed XJ would also have an OD tranny.

[Zerohour]

Since you are running a stock tire size on your Jeep, you could buy the extended fender flares, then run some extended skirt down over the the top of the wheel wells. Blocking off the top of the top of the tire down to the rim will help to mildly reduce the drag coming out from the tires. Also look at building some forward air deflectors. You can easily fill in some of the gaps on the jeep without limiting the off-road capabilities.

The better question should be, what/where/how are you driving? If you climb up and down back roads in a jeep with a 3spd automatic, you really can't do much to improve fuel economy. Most of the fuel is spent accelerating or braking (wasted energy). Now if you have a considerable amount of highway to get to those back roads, the aeromods could help considerably.

But all said and done, if you can't afford the fuel in the 02 jeep, I would swap to a different vehicle with more gears. Even a Subaru Automatic would wipe the floor with the Jeep mileage you're getting now. I have a 01 Outback and my worst tank ever was 17.7mpg in winter. I don't know of a 6 cylinder jeep manual that could touch 17.7 in the summer.

[nemo]

If its four wheel drive are lock out hub an option?