Oh, and that's a nice looking XJ, Chili red!

 

this seems normal, when i went to 33's with stock gears my mileage went south. 4.56 gears should put you closer to stock fuel mileage, but still gonna be turning more mass so it's gonna affect it anyway.

 

Thanks man. I truly like it. Just not the mileage. Haha. I will regear at some point just not right now.

What ratio should I go with?

 

If I recall correctly, 4.56 will result in ~2250 RPM on 33s @ 70 mph which I think is pretty close to stock (I don't have a tach so don't know for sure). Some will split the difference and go with 4.10. I'll let someone with more real-world experience chime in, since I'm completely stock.

 

oh come on!!! last week there was a thread EXACTLY like this one, it was called "Horrible MPGs" the guy was running the same lift and tires as you too!!!

I'm sorry, please a little bit before you post, and remember:

1 - your XJ is a flying brick on wheels

2 - your XJ is a lifted flying brick on big fat tires

3 - if you bought it lifted, it probably has stock gears or the PO would have mentioned changing them

4 - YOUR XJ IS A LIFTED FLYING BRICK ON FAT TIRES, it didn't get good gas mileage stock (13 city), and it certainly won't get good mpgs as is

 

per tank haha. my bad

 

x2 and it seems every time these come up, its always those with auto's who are complaining about it too

 

Is it just me or does it seem that people never take into consideration general maintenance, driving habits and that rack on top of their XJ either?

 

The racks have a lot of wind drag

 

General maintenance will not do much for mpgs. Although it is very good to do for general operation. Like I said earlier, if you want a significant difference in mpgs, regear, redo your entire exhaust and remove weight of bumpers, etc and things affecting aerodynamics like roof racks, etc

 

General maintenance includes things such as ball joints, tie rod ends, tire rotation and balance and they have a HUGE effect on fuel mileage. Oil as it thins lubricates less and creates drag which consumes horsepower and affects fuel economy.

I owned tractor trailers for years. In that business a loss of a tenth of a mile per gallon can cost you big money. You learn not just how to drive for mpgs but how to maintain for mpgs.

Now, I'm not saying that regearing and "maintaining" you exhaust won't help. I'm saying that if you don't do the basics first that you are doing it backwards.

Maintain your rig, build appropriately, (gear for your tires) and drive like you have some sense. And if you're still not happy with the mpgs go trade for a Civic.

 

Ball joints and tie rods affect mileage?

 

Yes! Just like a front end alignment and shocks.

Anything that corrupts the integrity of smooth motion increases drag. Increase drag and you decrease mileage.

It may not affect it by much individually but it adds up up with all the other small things that affect mileage. Sort of like the multiplier affect on Death Wobble.

 

this guy would have you spend $1000 in maintenance every year to save $50, i wouldn't get too crazy. if you have a problem with the jeep odviously take care of it but i don't believe in replacing things that don't need replacing (or upgrading). personally i bought a sedan car to drive everyday and leave the jeep in the garage as a weekend toy. it would kill me to drive the jeep everyday (70 miles a day) in fuel, tires, etc. so i leave the stock gears in it and enjoy getting 38 mpg in my car. really the car keeps paying for itself over and over again as i save on gas. if i get 12 mpg in my jeep, it doesn't phase me as much as i don't drive it everyday.

 

$1000 on maintenance? Dude, if you're spending that much on general maintenance you're rig is falling apart.


To the OP this "Guy" suggests you you keep your rig maintained. Regardless of mpgs is the smart thing to do. Keeping everything tight makes your ride more efficient and prevents progressive damage.

I've recently learned a lesson about cooling system maintenance. You don't want to neglect your vehicle or it will cost you much more later.

Take advice from the "guy" who has made his living driving, owning and.working on commercial vehicles for 20 years or the one who infers that maintenance doesn't matter.