[Off road in NY]

How about putting in a large displacement 4 cyl and higher gearing to increase the MPG?


It may be slower on the highway, but with low range it could still creep and crawl!

The desiel and hybrid options have been proposed by many on the forum...how about a 4cyl?

 

[carrotzilla]

The 2.7 was good for my last Taco but the FJ is so much fatter that the 4 would probably get as poor MPG due to the wringing it out. Maybe a taller final gear?

 

[billybongo63]

Check out July's Peterson's 4WD & Offroad mag, they have a small article about stuffing a Egyptian Military 4 cyl diesel into a jeep, with implications that Mopar may be offering a 4cyl diesel crate motor for universal 4x4 applications.

 

[FJ FunJunkie]

I'm still waiting on my flux capacitor. I ordered it last week but I figured In the furture i coulda set it up to get here today. Mabey it really doesn't work. lol

 

[fj6high]

I believe I saw a 2.5 liter turbo fuel injected v-6 in a VW (something) It was impressive as for low end torque and superior HP and Mpg! If I could increase my mpg by 50% and low end torque I would be sold!!

 

[Air2air]

The answer is tires. Get the skinniest highway tires available and inflate them to 50 lbs. Then keep a separate set of offroad tires.

 

[VooDude]

The answer is tires. Get the skinniest highway tires available and inflate them to 50 lbs. Then keep a separate set of offroad tires.

are the factory tires skinny enough?

 

[Layonnn]

The answer is tires. Get the skinniest highway tires available and inflate them to 50 lbs. Then keep a separate set of offroad tires.

X2!!! The biggest difference i felt from any mod i have made was switching my tires. Huge difference in responsiveness after that.

 

[cruiserlarry]

The answer is tires. Get the skinniest highway tires available and inflate them to 50 lbs. Then keep a separate set of offroad tires.

and then hope you never, ever have to make an emergency maneuver at freeway speeds (unless, of course, you prefer doing maintenance on the undercarriage with the benefit of sunlight...):rofl:

 

[OregonSpeedFreak]

22r all the Way!!!

 

[gnwhite]

I think the truck is just too darn heavy for a four.

 

[Off road in NY]

I think the truck is just too darn heavy for a four.

I think you may be correct...after I posted this the thought came that a 4 may be stretching it too far. I'm not even sure it would get better MPGs due to the need to wring it out...just looking for possibilties to keep the FJ on the market for a long time!

PS - word came out yesterday of severe cutbacks in truck-SUV production by one of the major automakers...not sure which one.

 

[Sean K.]

I think the truck is just too darn heavy for a four.

Agreed.

A tiny 4 banger doesn't motivate a heavy vehicle very well and it works awfully hard to get it up to speed. That is where you lose the most fuel economy....getting up to speed. My guess is it would actually be much less fuel efficient to put in a 4 cyl. than a larger V8.....that is if you can drive sensibly.....which, incidentally, will make the largest impact on your mileage even if you keep the V6.

Diesel would seem to be a good solution, b/c of increased efficiency, added torque, etc.....but the extra 70 cents or so over gas may not make it worth it longterm.


Sean

 

[TT SE 6 SPEED]

I would like to see a small 4.0 V8 that shuts down 4 cylinders while traveling down the highway. Also lets get rid of the AWD on the manual.

 

[jayman]

Also lets get rid of the AWD on the manual.

I second that, the fuel economy difference is what, 2-3 mpg less here with the stick. I wonder how much we lose by not having manual lock front hubs? Ever since Toyota went to ADD, they no longer have manual hubs

For 1-2 mpg, I'd happily stop and click in the hubs. It would be a good excuse for me to get off my fat ass too

 

[The_big_G]

I think the truck is just too darn heavy for a four.

Agreed, how about a V8 with cylinder deactivation

 

[Woodsman]

How about a compromise ? The ICON is produced using an International 2.8 liter/4 cylinder turbo diesel. It's not heavy on the horsepower but has plenty of torque. Toyota probably has one of similar size somewhere that they could stuff in there.

 

[iwc3714]

4300 lbs, 4x4 automatic with a 4 cylinder. Uhhhhh....too slow and probably no torque. In addition, you'll probably have to rev it to go anywhere.

 

[logan9967]

I couldn't disagree with this more. Have you ever offroaded with a 4cyln? Especially with one lifted and with tires, it's just not right.. Not enough power, plus you get laughed at. For smaller jeeps, with smaller lifts and tires it's not terrible, but with such a big truck. the shear idea of this makes me frown

 

[SCUBA_STEVE]

Lets face it, this is a truck, not a prius. Of course we all want to get the most out or our machines, and with the cost of gas getting steadily more ridiculous, we want to save a few bucks. However, we shouldnt consider compromising what this vehicle is meant for, and that is wheeling. We all knew what we were getting into when we bought this thing. It had the MPG ratings on the window sticker. Now throw on all the weight of mods and you knew it would get worse.

No one should expect this to be an economy vehicle and a 4 banger just wont cut it.

Turbo diesel and V8 that shuts down 4 cylinders at hwy speed are good ideas, but who knows if that will ever happen.

The best suggestions out there are to alter your highway driving habits. Ive tried it. It works. And yes, you can save a bit more fuel by having 2 sets of tires. Skinnies for everyday and Muds/big ones for offroad use. Of course any AT is a good middle of the road.