Squeezing MPG's out of a Jeep - or atleast trying.

[Red]

Looks good for a rolled TJ. You know the sail cloth soft tops are much tighter than the old canvas. Mine doesn't billow or flap much as a friends. It is no hard top though.

You should check out johnpr's build thread on his JK, he is going with a reshaped front end that could be some points. I want to try something similar as soon as the Insight can knock my Heep off the road.

You got Silver Stars so you are good on the wheel weight department. I think those are lighter than my Canyons. Especially since you are running street rubber.

You might want to experiment removing the side steps. Far as I have ever seen there are in a zone of vacuum or something as mud and dirt on em never blow off.

A tummy tuck and a engine skid would help down south.

Welcome to EM

[nwbabybronco]

[RoboMike]

Hi all, thanks !

I'm looking at the above design and it really looks cool. From an Aero perspective I'm just wondering:

1) the front mod below the fender looks great, and prevents air from going under the jeep (to some extent). Doesn't the unrounded design also increase the surface area of the jeep; thus, increasing the drag?

2) side skirts, - love them. I'm really surprised you kept the fender flares, they're not rounded enough for me. (side note: If you want to stay clean, these have to be there.)

3) Tail top, cool design, not sure i'm with you on it.....

Hmm ... are you a jeep owner?

RED and Zrog, I'm with you....

Hope to have some updates later today.

[RoboMike]

Well.... I went to remove the doors and realized I need to move the side mirrors first. So, I'll be removing them after I get the mounts I ordered in.

Why remove the doors? Less surface area = less drag.

[RoboMike]

While I'm add it, I'm going to get a new summer top.

[RoboMike]

Ok, so making my jeep lighter also resulted in some already made parts that also claim that will raise the mpg. I'm going to try these and see if they work, and also tweak the driver.

[RoboMike]

ok, still thinking about this and also replying to some earlier posts. The windshield can't go backwards because the roll bars (and other stuff) is in the way. I could just remove the windshield and get a helmet.

The side step is probably the least significant tweak, and my wife actually uses them

This is what I ordered:

1) Duster cover (smooth the back, where that rear seat is supposed to go
2) Bikini top - hey it's summer
3) Side panel storage. - these will actually create rear "fins"
4) wind jammer - it's a jeep thing.

Oh, and I got this all done with out even driving today.

[Red]

You could get the windshield to fold backwards some more, you'd have to cut the windshield-rollbar tubes back and reweld the mounting bracket. then you'd probably have to reshape the cowl some so that you could still seal the windshield, then you'd have to mod the top so that it can still snap to the header.

eh on second thought, not really worth it.......

Well since you are going for a duster setup, you could pull the rear bars off and reshape them as more of a fast back style, wrap something clear or see through around em and use that to form a better rear end

[RoboMike]

Hi Red,

That fast back is definitely a thought in my mind... and that's only if my Plan A & B doesn't work out. I read an article about a guy getting 25mpg in his wrangler (stock), just by keeping the engine and fuel injectors clean, and slowing down.

My Plan A is to completely change the frontal aerodynamics of the jeep. This would mean removing the windshield for a more aerodynamic solution.... I actually contacted a a manufacturer to see if they would make this for me per my design.

I'm not sold on bending the roll bars. They saved my life from stupid driving, and also, I'll still need them for the trails (I plan on future roll overs).

Hopefully, i'll hear back next week on everything.

In the mean time I'll fill my tank up tomorrow, double check tire psi, and then measure the effects of the combination of what's i did this weekend, and have already done in the past:

1) weight removal. - I removed the soft top & all windows.
2) Driving techniques. Avoiding Idle and using cruise control.

I will be trying to log my fuel usage on this website...

[Red]

cool cool

Was that the guy with LJ and the snorkel that did a ton of testing? Linky
http://www.omninerd.com/articles/Imp...uel_Efficiency

lol, yeah you could still keep or improve on the strength of the cage using the right kind of tube. Its all about a proper design.

Keep us posted on Plan A, sounds great