Should i just go for thrills per mile?

[Nova Wake]

Ive been pondering a lift combo for quite some time now and pretty much have an idea of what i want, but gas prices are increasing a little and i am only mildly concerned about them, i was wondering if the drop in mpg would be worth it in sakes of fun and thrills. I was planning on a 4 in lift and 31's but found out it be close to the same price and mpgs just to go to 33's, i was planning on a clayton's 6.5 lift and 4.56's for my cry axle. I suppose i'd need a sye and a driveshaft, what is the complete run down of what i need to complete a total overhaul. I know i'll have a decrease in MPG but am i being overly optomistic by thinking i'll get around 15-16 mpgs? I'd be happy with that, do the payoffs of a lifted jeep heavily outweigh the negatives? Another factor is that there is a e85 converstion for the 4.0, so if we ever get a station around here i'd definately have no regrets. I'm a very outdoorsy person and have always wanted a lifted vehicle, for my adventures, is it as fun as it looks? Any input would be appretiated.
Also it is a dd but mainly only about 24 miles a day. This is planned for next summer project.

Any of you who have done a similar combo and daily drive it have any regrets whatsoever of doing so? Would you advise me not to? What do you recomend?

here she is as of now.

[Lowrange2]

The gas milage isn't that bad~ I'd say I get around 17-18 in town and 20 hwy with 33s.

Wanna get rid of your bumper?

[Nova Wake]

Originally Posted by lowrange2

The gas milage isn't that bad~ I'd say I get around 17-18 in town and 20 hwy with 33s.

Wanna get rid of your bumper?

no... thats one of the last 4 rock monitors that were ever sold, that's the first mod ive made, she's staying.

[Lowrange2]

I know, thats why I want it!

As long as you regear I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with your mileage.

[philipr91]

e85 conversion for a 4.0 liter?! where can i get this conversion?

[Lowrange2]

All ya gotta do is change some hoses I do believe.

[Nova Wake]

Originally Posted by philipr91

e85 conversion for a 4.0 liter?! where can i get this conversion?

http://www.change2e85.com/servlet/Detail?no=137

its a hell of a lot cheaper than a diesel swap, and it future proofs our rigs, one good thing about having a common engine, things get made for it.

[Archdukeferdinand]

Just went from 31s to 33s about 6 weeks ago, still on stock gears. Mileage didn't change much, loose calculations put me at about 12-13, I was at about 15 beforehand.


Of course this is in the mtns. Stock I used to get 20-22 hwy and I anticipate I'll get in the 17-19 neighborhood when I get my gears (SOON!).


Oh, and yes. It is as much fun as it looks. But probably more work than it looks, too.

[Lowrange2]

Originally Posted by Nova Wake

http://www.change2e85.com/servlet/Detail?no=137

its a hell of a lot cheaper than a diesel swap, and it future proofs our rigs, one good thing about having a common engine, things get made for it.

Hmmm Tis a tid bit more involved than I thought. Still a nice upgrade.

[harwood39]

hey guys, just so you know, it is somewhat rumored that the Rock Lizard products will be available for cherokees from another manufacturer... I may know some more about this... but dont know how much i should say incase everything doesnt fall through... Dont wanna get your hopes up...

[Lowrange2]

That was random! THo I guess we were talking about the bumper eh.

[harwood39]

yep, thats what got me on that, yeah, sorry it was a little random, but it seems lke anytime anyone sees one of those they want it, so i just couldnt help myself.

[91Woody]

On my 91 I had 31 M/T's and 3.5 lift with 15 MPG highway. I drive 40 miles each way to work, so I changed back to 235's and get about 18MPG highway. It is at least as fun as it looks even with a Junior Jeep as I have. It is definately more work than it looks like if you do it yourself. Damn rusty bolts.

[jdbwrx]

I have never gotten good gas mileage in mine (13-14, sometimes better on highway, 17). I'm on 33's with 4.56 and I gave up even trying to figure it out. Too depressing! Fortunately it's not my DD.

Why not stay at 4" with 33's. Just do some trimming. I've got pics if you need them.

How about some numbers for gas mileage:
You say your communte is 24 miles a day. I assume that is only during the week, so that is a total of 120 miles a week or 6240 miles a year. (this is just based off the number you gave).
At 18mpg you would use 346 gallons of gas.
At 14mpg you would use 445 gallons.

Now depending on how much gas is will obviously vary the results, but let's say it's $3 a gallon. That's $1038 dollars in gas versus $1335 in gas.

Over the course of the year, that's not a a huge amount. Most people drive more than 6K miles a year, so I think those numbers are modestly low.

Whether it's worth it or not is up to you. Face it though, you will have to feed the addiction! (It will cost you more than mpg if you get my drift)

[rpraterxj]

I say build it for wheelin! Benefits of lifting DOES outwiegh the negatives!

I run 33's and 4.88's in my 2000 Auto. I drive it everyday and I love it. Gas mileage.... what's that? I was not concerned about it when I bought the Jeep nor when I started building. I figure I get around 14 mpg average. freeway and trips I probably get about 18 or so.

Best of luck!