better gas mileage

[shimmy]

so i'm debating on whether getting a new DD or just buckin up and driving the XJ around. i've been filling up twice a week and its killing me! i've checked the tire pressure, just put a new pipe on, i'm probably gonna thro some new plugs in, and maybe even pull the front drive shaft... anyone else pull the front shaft for better mileage? did it even make a difference?

[goodburbon]

Not a noticable difference, remember all of the front internals are still rotating unless you have a disco.

I have no front axles and get same mileage.

[djblade311]

yes, pulling the front shaft helps but not noticable enough for short trips. Over time, it adds up.

I'm not sure what size tires and gearing you have but after I regeared with 32s, it made a world of difference....30% improvement in gas mileage. Went from 12mpg avg to 16mpg.

check this out (https://secure.naxja.org/html/naxjamemberapp.htm)

:)

[shimmy]

i have a 98 with 35's and 4.56's

[2001XJeep]

so i'm debating on whether getting a new DD or just buckin up and driving the XJ around. i've been filling up twice a week and its killing me! i've checked the tire pressure, just put a new pipe on, i'm probably gonna thro some new plugs in, and maybe even pull the front drive shaft... anyone else pull the front shaft for better mileage? did it even make a difference?

How much $$ will the new DD cost? Whatever the amount it would likely buy a lot of gas to run your XJ on well into the future. And keep in mind the new DD uses gas too so that further negates the savings. It almost never makes financial sense to replace one perfectly running vehicle with another just on the basis on fuel economy. For the numbers to work out the new DD would need to get 200% to 300% better fuel economy and fuel prices would likely have to be double their current rate, and even then it will take a while to come out ahead. You can't just look at as the cost of fuel, you have to view it as the total cost of transportation (that includes purchase price, maintenance, insurance, fuel, etc).

[CartsXJ]

i have a 98 with 35's and 4.56's


You have the same setup I am running. First thing I can advise is get rid of all unnessescary weight (spare, tools, even skids). Secondly, pull your front shaft, I went with locking hubs from milemarker. Third, test different gas stations, I've found that I get the best mileage from Mobil 87 oct, might not be the cheapest in town, but I get the best mileage. And lastly, drive smart, no full throttle starts, keep your speed between 55-60 (rpm's 2100), for every day driving and 70-75 for highway (rpm 2500). Eventually, you'll find the sweet spot and keep in it.

Though your numbers may change, I have a few hop up's, bored tb, header, exhaust, intake......

[goodburbon]

I'm sorry, I'll just have to disagree with everyone who says "dude you should disconnect your shaft, it improves mileage." My experience is that when you do something to "improve your mileage" your driving habits change too. You adjust your driving to validate your choices and your decisions of what would give you better mileage.

The only thing to really improve my mileage has been terrain and altitude. I have had 3 xj's and the only signifigant difference I have seen in mileage came from either.

1. running entire tanks of gas on the highway in one stretch. My commute is 30 miles every day and I "thought" It should be considered highway, truth is that longer runs of 300 miles a stretch VASTLY improves mileage.

2. The gasoline in your area may not be ideal for your engine. I get better mileage in Texas than Louisiana and better mileage in Colorado than Louisiana.

3. New Oxygen sensor.

The previous have been true for 3 diffrent xj's. I am currently running NO AXLESHAFTS in my front end, that is a reduced rotating mass of a lot more than a simple driveshaft removal, and I am seeing NO GAINS! Why? Because I didn't do it to get better mileage, my driving habits didn't change a bit. Lo and behold, neither did my mileage.

[GSequoia]

Just take the XJ back to stock. I averaged about 21 +/- on the drive out to Moab (lots of grades to climb as well!) in my stock Chief.

[2001XJeep]

I had a 98 ZJ that I removed the front axle shafts from and saw a mpg increase of about 2 mpg. BUT that was due to the fact that the front diff was shot and was creating a huge amount of drag. If the front end is in good shape then the difference in mpg's would be minimal. My XJ is a 2wd and it gets very comprabable mileage to all the 4wd's I know.

[j99xj]

Two words: Honda Civic

[txredxj]

Two words: Honda Civic

i say honda del sol. i had one that got 50 mpg and my friends hatch got like 30mpg

[2001XJeep]

I still say you're better off overall by only having one vehicle vs two, regardless of mpg's. There's more to it than just mpg's when you look at the big picture. If you're looking to replace the XJ then I can see the logic, but getting a second vehicle on the premise of saving money will cost you more than you'll save. Just my $.02

[kubtastic]

For the number of miles you're driving at maybe 15 mpg (like myself)... perhaps 400/week, that's 20,000 / year. A little high, and perhaps a temporary spike in how much you drive. If not, that's about the mileage at which I would easily justify a second vehicle. You can find a car that has most of its value in a new set of tires that will also make the commute more comfortable.

[jwtrapper]

I run 35's off road and put my 32's back on when just running up and down the hwy to work. I also have 4.56's. I get better milage and love the power going up and down the hills.

[Beej]

I still say you're better off overall by only having one vehicle vs two, regardless of mpg's. There's more to it than just mpg's when you look at the big picture. If you're looking to replace the XJ then I can see the logic, but getting a second vehicle on the premise of saving money will cost you more than you'll save. Just my $.02 That's some funky math you're using there brother...

Let's see. I spend ~$450.00 per month gassing up the XJ for my DD duties. I can buy a crappy old civic for about $500 that will reduce my monthly gas costs by about $300. So all I have to do is drive the Civic for two months and its saving me money. Even if I don't save that much each month, it will still pay for itself and keep on saving after a few months...

:dunno:

[andyr354]

Don't for get insurance, taxes, tags, and maintenance costs on that honda.

[2001XJeep]

That's some funky math you're using there brother...

Let's see. I spend ~$450.00 per month gassing up the XJ for my DD duties. I can buy a crappy old civic for about $500 that will reduce my monthly gas costs by about $300. So all I have to do is drive the Civic for two months and its saving me money. Even if I don't save that much each month, it will still pay for itself and keep on saving after a few months...

:dunno:

Not quite, in your original post you said a "new DD". Crazy me, but I took that to mean you actually meant a new, or at least, much newer car to act as your daily driver. You never said you were talking about picking up a $500.00 turd w/wheels. Of course that changes the equation entirely and it would quickly save you some $$$ doing it that way.

[Beej]

Not quite, in your original post you said a "new DD". Crazy me, but I took that to mean you actually meant a new, or at least, much newer car to act as your daily driver. You never said you were talking about picking up a $500.00 turd w/wheels. Of course that changes the equation entirely and it would quickly save you some $$$ doing it that way. The post of mine that you are quoting above says NOTHING that relates to this most recent post. I was refuting what you said because it did not make sense. I stand by that...

[Menzenski]

Just take the XJ back to stock. I averaged about 21 +/- on the drive out to Moab (lots of grades to climb as well!) in my stock Chief.
When I was running 3.07s with 31s (I have 3.55s now), never putting it in 5th gear, I averaged about 21 as well on the highway, with the mileage from a few individual tanks of gas approaching 22mpg.

My mileage actually dropped when I swapped in the 3.55 axles, I think because I was driving it harder. Then I put on a header and started driving like a grandma again and am averaging almost 19mpg around town. All that with a 4.0 that's close to death too.

[2001XJeep]

The post of mine that you are quoting above says NOTHING that relates to this most recent post. I was refuting what you said because it did not make sense. I stand by that...

Stand by what you want, I don't really give a damn. You're wrong either way.

[Ramsey]

That's some funky math you're using there brother...

Let's see. I spend ~$450.00 per month gassing up the XJ for my DD duties. I can buy a crappy old civic for about $500 that will reduce my monthly gas costs by about $300. So all I have to do is drive the Civic for two months and its saving me money. Even if I don't save that much each month, it will still pay for itself and keep on saving after a few months...

:dunno:
Yeah but by the time you convert it to real(read american)dollars your way deep in the hole.

[Ramsey]

Stand by what you want, I don't really give a damn. You're wrong either way.
Shampoo is better!

[goodburbon]

Conditioner is better!

[Ramsey]

Are you looking at me swan?

[Bob Myers]

OK, my stepson works for me, drives a Chevy van that gets 9mpg fairly consistantly. Distance is 51 miles doorstep to office door, 102 round trip. 5 Trips a week, total of 510per week, thats about 56 gallons at an average(this week )of 2.12 per, that equals$120.00 per week for fuel. He can buy, for $11,500.00 on the road a new, yes new Hyundai that gets an estimated 32mpg. That'll drop his gas needs to about $34.45 per week, saving about $85.55, or roughly $370.00 per month. His payment will be roughly $289.00 on this new car, that leaves about 81. for application towards insurance-per week. How can he not be better off by buying a new car and keeping his shaggin van for the weekend parties?

[fxdlrider]

I have to agree with Mr. Myers. When I was commuting in my cherokee, I was spending $15/day in fuel. I purchased a 1996 Toyota Corolla which uses 1/2 as much gas. $15 x 20 days of commuting per month = $300 in gas. The corolla uses $150/month in gas and my payments are $120. Yeah, but what about insurance and maintenance? Well, I replaced both front CV shafts on the corolla for less than one front wheel bearing on the cherokee. Not to mention the price of replacing tires on the cherokee vs the corolla. It really does make sense for some people in a given situation. Do the math and figure out what works best for you. Now I also have a third vehicle so If I want to do some work on the jeep, I can leave it in the garage during the week and not worry about how I'm going to get to work If I don't get my latest project done.

[jeepinwi]

Buying another vehicle for its fuel efficiency is a great idea. Even if it doesn't save $100000 on gas, you still have a back up vehicle for when the Jeep breaks or is being modded, you save miles from racking up on the Jeep, and you have some equity built if the vehicle is paid off. When it comes time to sell that 2nd vehicle, that's money in your pocket.

[Monkey55]

I agree with Myers and fxdlrider.. I couldn't have said it better myself..

I've been working on the same issue and done the math a zillion times. It works out and saves money. You just have to figure out how long down the road do you want to see the results. Depending on how much you spend on an economical car and how much you drive, it could take months or YEARS to start saving money..


Some weeks I drive about 600 miles and other 15 miles.. So, it's hard choice for me rightnow..

Elias

[BrettM]

the best (or worst) thing about a second vehicle is you can undertake projects on your Jeep that take more than a weekend, and you begin to care less about weatherproofing and streetability. You'll end up with a buggy.

[mavinwy]

Or simply go with a motorcycle :)

50MPG + the fun factor makes it worth it.

My jeep is only a daily driver in the snow......

Jim

[FitchVA]

the best (or worst) thing about a second vehicle is you can undertake projects on your Jeep that take more than a weekend, and you begin to care less about weatherproofing and streetability. You'll end up with a buggy.
or you could make the mistake like i did and buy a 2nd xj as a dd...

http://viewsfrommylens.com/Gallery/albums/album90/IMG_2165.jpg

...cause now i wanna mod both of them!!! :firedevil

but it was a good "mistake" that i don't regret making ;)

[andyr354]

I just did the same thing. Picked up a nice stock 91. Gets better milleage than what I was driving.

Wanted to be able to get around this winter. They tore a bridge out by my house and I have to take backroads to get home. Acually I have been driving it accross the little dirt equipment bypass the bridge crew made after hours lol.

[T&A-XJ]

Time for rain gear man. A friend of mine that works at Eastside MS rides to work all year long!

[mavinwy]

Agreed, rain is no problem...

But when the roads are icy.....that is another story :)

Jim