Smaller engine?

[teeweave]

Does anyone have any ideas to get better mpg out of a Grand Wagoneer? I own 2, an 89' with a rough body but good engine, and an 87' with a good body but a spun rod. The original plan was to pull the engine out of the 89' and drop it in the 87', but I bought these over 2 years ago when gas was still reasonable, and now I am thinking about putting a different engine in the 87' altogether. ANY HELP?:confused:

[McRoth]

It was suggested to me that I could probably get more mileage with a 304 in a DD Wag. Also, you can get upwards of 20-25mpg with a 6.2 diesel swap.

[backpack09]

Remember, these are VERY heavy vehicles. If you go with a smaller lower HP engine, you are going to be losing any "performance" these things have.

[teeweave]

Interesting you say diesel.....then maybe I could convert it to veggie oil.

[drlocke]

Diesel is your best bet. Putting in a smaller engine will avail little improvement in MPG at great cost in HP.

These FSJs are not aerodynamic, and they are not lightweights either. Wind resistance is a factor.

E.B. White wrote in his work called Farewell My Lovely regarding the Ford model T--like the FSJ a very boxy vehicle....

Directly in front of the driver was the windshield - high, uncompromisingly erect. Nobody talked about air resistance, and the four cylinders pushed the car through the atmosphere with a simple disregard of physical law.


The best fuel economy can be had by simply parking the FSJ and driving one of today's turd-shaped beer cans instead.

[Geeeep]

How many miles per year do you plan on putting on your GW?

How much will it cost to obtain a doner engine engineer a way of making it work and installing, configuring and fine tuning that setup.

How much of an improvement will you gain (increase MPG).

All the above works buys a lot of gas even at $3/gal

I would do a diesel or other swap because I wanted to learn the mechanics of it/wanted to see if I could do it, not just to save $$$ at the pump.

If you can make the numbers work do it (or if you just want to see if you can). Otherwise get another 360!

[The PIG Smith]

Also, you can get upwards of 20-25mpg with a 6.2 diesel swap.

That's way I am going: 6.2L with 4L80 and stock Dana 44 with 3:31 gears.
I am hoping for 22mpg. 24 would be excellent!

[FSJ Guy]

For better mileage, buy another car.

Really, I'm no trying to be a wise-*ss. (this time)

I use my FSJ when the roads are covered with snow/ice. I use my car when they're not.

[Wagabond]

Sometimes a Smaller engine will use more gas. TBI or a well tuned Qjet will give your about 14 mpg. Lack of overdrive is the real issue, but most new trucks don't do any better.

[Stuka]

I second the second car bid. I get 35mpg in my Ford. I use my J10 for snow, hauling, or camping/offroading. And the ford is tad more comfortable for long trips ;)

[incommando]

Have you noticed how both HP & MPG figures have been steadlily creeping up? Sometimes a smaller engine that has to work harder to move the same load will not show any MPG gains. I don't see a 304 or I6 swap being worth the effort.

For the price of a diesel swap, you could get a much more efficient car than the GW. But those 6.2L swaps are interesting.

[shimniok]

For better mileage, buy another car.

Really, I'm no trying to be a wise-*ss. (this time)

I use my FSJ when the roads are covered with snow/ice. I use my car when they're not.

X2

It's just that the FSJs are too far behind the curve on gas mileage-- to heavy, not aerodynamic, etc.

You could get better mileage but only to a point without huge mods. Sort of like trying to run 13's with a Yugo. :)

Michael

[DieselSJ]

That's way I am going: 6.2L with 4L80 and stock Dana 44 with 3:31 gears.
I am hoping for 22mpg. 24 would be excellent!

If you want to maximize your mileage, go with a 700R4/4L60 instead of the 4L80. The 4L80 is overkill with a 6.2 anyway.

[The PIG Smith]

If you want to maximize your mileage, go with a 700R4/4L60 instead of the 4L80. The 4L80 is overkill with a 6.2 anyway.

Good advice, but the 4L80 is what is installed in my 6.2L powered donor.
This 4L80 is bad, thus the low cost I paid for it and its 2WD.
Later, I may go with a 700R4 and NP241 combo.
I would need to get the 7004R Diesel prepped.
Just not to that point in the project yet.
I am still struggling with how to bring it home and then where to park it.

[Carl Rasmussen]

Remember, these are VERY heavy vehicles. If you go with a smaller lower HP engine, you are going to be losing any "performance" these things have.
the 360 has what about 145 HP :eek:

[Burn Victim]

I say go diesel :thumbsup:

Adam:drivin:

[shimniok]

the 360 has what about 145 HP :eek:

I don't think hp really paints the full picture for these motors. They put out an awful lot of torque. It also it depends on what year specs you look at as the 1986 specs suck compared to 1987 or the 70's.

Michael

[Wagabond]

the 360 has what about 145 HP :eek:

But great low end torque. Most new trucks get their ridiculous HP and torque reading at sick rpms. 360s might get 300 HP too if they could be revved to 6 grand.

They aren't that heavy. Mine scaled at 4300 lbs; Toyota FJ Cruisers are only 35 lbs lighter. Yukons and Expeditions outweigh a Wag by about 800 lbs.

Aerodynamic are an entirely different matter. Drag coefficient of a sailboat in reverse.

[teeweave]

For those of you who suggest I buy another vehicle, this is not my daily driver. I actually drive a scooter when weather permits, and a 01' Cherokee the rest of the time. This is just my "extra" vehicle. The diesel is really interesting to me, I was just looking at a 77' Benz diesel to convert to run on veggie oil when I decided to put my money in my Woody instead. How involved is the diesel swap? And what kind of vehicle can I pull that out of?

[ohioj20]

It was suggested to me that I could probably get more mileage with a 304 in a DD Wag. Also, you can get upwards of 20-25mpg with a 6.2 diesel swap.

There is your answer. Myself, my dad and several others have done this swap and some are in the process

[teeweave]

You're near Akron? If your ever down near Dayton, I'm sure I could use your advice on my Woodys. Now to start looking for a diesel engine.....

[ohioj20]

You're near Akron? If your ever down near Dayton, I'm sure I could use your advice on my Woodys. Now to start looking for a diesel engine.....

I don't get down to Dayton that much. However, I should be at the NE Ohio/Mich get together and Zack's (Z&M Jeep) That is, if my sister-in-law doesn't have her kid and we are on our way to Maryland.

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=70661