Possibly pointless, MPG hack for New front bumper & winch

[ShadowsPapa]

Not trying to be negative but if everyone is so worried about mpg's they should probably go back to driving a Prius and not a brick. I really don't understand the complaints about mpg when it is Cleary stated on the widow sticker.

You missed the point - it wasn't about complaining or being all worried or upset - some of us see a challenge to see if there's some small little thing we can do (or not do) to keep mpg up.
For me, for example, I chose tires based on several things - SNOW handing, rain handling, noise and so on were tops, but I also looked to have the least impact on mpg.
I guess if ya don't like it - don't hang in the mpg threads LOL ?

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[NachoRuby]

You missed the point - it wasn't about complaining or being all worried or upset - some of us see a challenge to see if there's some small little thing we can do (or not do) to keep mpg up.
For me, for example, I chose tires based on several things - SNOW handing, rain handling, noise and so on were tops, but I also looked to have the least impact on mpg.
I guess if ya don't like it - don't hang in the mpg threads LOL ?

Yep, even when I went to bigger tires, MPGs were somewhat a factor. Mpgs, treadlife, snow and rain handling, off-road durability, all of it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yep, even when I went to bigger tires, MPGs were somewhat a factor. Mpgs, treadlife, snow and rain handling, off-road durability, all of it.

And one reason I have this as a truck is actually the fact that it beats any other truck I've had (can't recall what my Comanche got but I bet it wasn't over 20)
I'm considering an aluminum bumper to help cut weight (multiple reasons - mpg and payload and I'm not getting younger)
That sounds a lot like the list of things I was thinking about when looking into tires.
It will never hit 30 mpg, but hey, it's part of the fun of all of this.
When I built my SX4, part of the goal was "let's see how good I can make this as far as mpg".
It's part of the fun, the sport, like a hunt. Catching isn't always the goal, sometimes it's the chase or the hunt.

 

[Cmikel]

You missed the point - it wasn't about complaining or being all worried or upset - some of us see a challenge to see if there's some small little thing we can do (or not do) to keep mpg up.
For me, for example, I chose tires based on several things - SNOW handing, rain handling, noise and so on were tops, but I also looked to have the least impact on mpg.
I guess if ya don't like it - don't hang in the mpg threads LOL ?
[/QUOT
I'm here because I love my JT. Im not trying to stir up any controversy, just trying to share a "mod" I did that others might appreciate. I'm pretty happy with the MPG I get, but thought I'd take a shot on improving range and keep dirt and grime off the suspension components.
I think most of us are here to support each other with whatever we choose to do with our Jeeps. We have a great community, full of knowledge people. At the ed of the day, we love our Gladiators.

 

[Gren71]

Also, completely side note, but I traded my 2021 Willy's and the new Gladiator said on the build sheet it had A/T tires. I knew the tires would not be as aggressive as the Firestone destination M/T, but these Bridgestone Duellers look like ordinary street tires and are severely disappointing. I'll be fixing that soon once I do a small lift.

Haven’t read through the entire thread yet. But give the duelers a chance haha i gone away from them and ended up back on em’ and being very happy. There’s plenty of owners who use the heck out of the Jt with those stockers. That being said they’re far from rock crawling tires! But they’ll do better than you’d imagine with daily driving and inclement weather.

 

[DocMike]

I'd expect the lower speeds to be less impacted by the air dam

I'm ready to test it out and report back. I'm not a MPG Nazi or a MPGs don't matter because it's a Jeep. I'm more a, Hey I want to go overlanding with my daily drive and see what I can I do to minimize my pain at the pump guy.

 

[Geoarch]

Yes - even though I removed about 40 pounds taking the wings off my steel Rubicon style bumper, the mpg dropped because the course tread on my tires were now exposed to the on-rushing air.

The air dam being under there helps.



I think he's got the pics reversed - the lower pic is the metal backing for the plastic air dam. Likely he put the metal backing in place and then put the plastic air dam back. He would have had those off to install the bumper because the air dam attaches to the stock bumper.
So if the pics were reversed - it would show he put the metal backing and bracket on, then the air dam. Both were off for the bumper install and the metal backing acts as a retainer or clip for the air dam. The air dam definitely helps. I've been on and off with that sort of stuff with mine since I had to un-modify my 2020 for trade for my 2022 - and I'll be doing things with the 2022 - but with a better plan this time, I hope...........

Anyway, the air dam absolutely helps. I've watched GM and others do their testing and it's amazing what even RAM has done with an air dam that lowers for highway use, and can retract up for off-roading. The air going under the truck is very important. GM has even found that properly shaped running boards help as well.

I may be looking into an aluminum bumper so I can keep the weight down but keep the fronts of the tires a bit less exposed than running with the wings or extensions off.
Plus - I have discovered that driving with the fronts of the tires open like that allows my own front wheels to toss rocks into the air which I run into with the truck. My 2020 had the proof on the hood, and a close call with the windshield as I turned a corner, saw my front tire throw a rock and I ran into it! I like the ends of the bumper off but not at the expense of MPG and rock damage. It's a @#$% when your own truck throws the rock at itself.

Having the wings off does help in getting over stairs and waterfalls we have in the West. Sometimes you have to attack it from a slight angle and want the tire to hit first. Still it lowers my mpg.

 

[STLDAVE]

Wait, you have a winch and you're running street tires

Um, yeah. With those tires he's going to need the winch.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Having the wings off does help in getting over stairs and waterfalls we have in the West. Sometimes you have to attack it from a slight angle and want the tire to hit first. Still it lowers my mpg.

Your mention of getting over stairs reminds me of my ex's brother Dave. He took his Plymouth Duster down a big flight of stairs at ISU. I hear another time he scaled the stairs with his Honda 350. I really miss that guy. Think of the fun he'd have with a Jeep.

 

[Geoarch]

Your mention of getting over stairs reminds me of my ex's brother Dave. He took his Plymouth Duster down a big flight of stairs at ISU. I hear another time he scaled the stairs with his Honda 350. I really miss that guy. Think of the fun he'd have with a Jeep.

Yeah, really. We have some great "stairs" in the Manzanita mountains not far from where I live, and a couple of "waterfalls". I take my jeep up there when I make major changes - Mopar lift, 315 tires, etc. It's great to have it close and not drive to Moab or somewhere in Colorado. The Manzanita trails aren't quite as hairy as Moab or the Rubicon, but a good test trail.

 

[KQL]

After I installed my winch in the Sport stock bumper, I was left with that same brace piece and a plastic air dam that didn’t fit quite right. Glad to see it reused for this purpose, but just as another option is what I ended up getting, in case you haven’t seen it.
https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/aluminum-modular-front-sway-bar-skid-plate-jeep-wrangler-jl

 

[Cmikel]

Um, yeah. With those tires he's going to need the winch.

Just started building it out. Haven't had the truck for even a month yet but yes a lift and tires are up soon.

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