Expected gas mileage drop from Lift/ Big Tires
 

Thinking more about buying the Diesel Liberty or Grand Cherokee, because the only reason I don't want an SUV is the gas mileage. But the Diesels are averaging in the 20s and I can definitely live with that.

But, as discussed, the Liberty is pretty gay stock. And I would need to remove the queer bumpers and fender flares and lift the crap out of it for sure. So what sort of gas mileage should I expect if it's rated at 21 city/ 28 freeway, if I lift it with some 33s or 35s and install a brush guard? How much do you guys think it would drop. It is a 4 cyl 2.8L turbo diesel.

How about the grand cherokee, same scenario. It's a 3L V6 turbo diesel. Rated at 20/ 25 mpg.

Kind of a wild guess, but I would expect something around the 5 mpg range. If it were much more or less out of that range I'd be surprised. Aerodynamically you're increasing frontal area and the larger tires increases weight. You'd also be degrading sprung to unsprung weight so it'll ride a little harder all other things being equal.

My Explorer was rated at 17/21 mpg. I've only check the millage once which was when I went to Truck Haven a few weeks ago just because lately it seemed to be going through a lot of gas. It pulled right around 15 mpg on the way out there doing 75 mph. However, ever since I got back it doesn't seem to be going though gas as quickly. Not sure why but it does have some stranger ECU issues that I'm trying to resolve. Anyways, as you know the Explorer is lifted with a skid plate on the front and I'm running on 33's with 4.56 gears.

With that said I wouldn't expect millage to go too much, especially if you regear for the tires. Now, how much money have you saved up for a lift kit, tires, bumpers and gears? Plus have your checked to see if lift kits exist for the years you are looking at?

I did not notice a drop off when I lifted the truck with 35's and a regear. Might have dropped 1 MPG total.

Lift... kit? Hahahaha.

I would go junkyard solid axle, junk yard springs and weld up my own mounts in the front.

You need to research that before you do it. My Explorer was easy to do because both speed sensors are located in the transfer case. Some truck have them located in the axles. Also, I think the Grand Cherokee comes with a solid Dana 44. Well at least the 1998 V8 model that Phil use to have did.

That's a really nice 2wd truck.

Haha, I noticed that too. I don't see where the yoke in the TC is either.

Speed sensor shmeed sensor. That's what my GPS is for.

It's probably just above the crossmember.

I'm thinking more and more the grand cherokee is the way to go, I'll prob have to fly to Texas to get one :/ But at least I won't have to tear it apart to make it look cool. I wouldn't mind driving one of those stock.

It uses the speed sensor to operate the 4 wheel drive. I know that on mine Explorer in four wheel auto/high when the front and rear spin at different speeds the transfer case triggers an electro magnet that engages the clutches to lock in the front driveshaft. I remember Phil tell me something about this being in issue in the Chevy's and that they had a lot of them come in with the clutches wornout in the transfer case. In four wheel low on my Explorer the clutches are always engaged.

Gay. The grand cherokees are juuust out of my price range, and the 4wd models are out of my price range. I need to find a 4wd diesel with some body and/ or paint damage that I can afford.

Talking with a guy selling his long travel Tundra auto 4.7L V8 on 33" tires who claims 15/20mpg. BS?

I don't see why not. I pull about 14 in the city and 17 on the highway in my 1999 Suburban with it's 350. I've done a best of 19 coming back from my parents house in AZ. I'm sure the lighter truck with a more efficent engine will do better than mine.

I get almost 22mpg in the truck in my sig. Its got 35s and it weighs like 8 billion pounds. Diesel is the way to go.