MPGs After Belly Skids?

[Gluestick]

Check your tire pressure as well. We've had a few cooler mornings here last week (false-alarm 1st faux fall), and all our vehicles tire pressure was reading several lbs lower. I'm currently got the bronco intentionally between 32-35 psi for mixed dirt/pavement use and my mpg has noticeably suffered. Back up to 39psi and i get that mpg right back.

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[Mjasi3]

I added full set of JCR skids, a JCR bumper, a winch and a roof rack and my mileage wasn't affected at all. The total weight addition, compared to stock, was 208# which is about the weight of a passenger. The weight did create alignment issues though but those were adjusted by my local 4x shop as soon as I noticed tire wear.

I doubt the MPG has anything to do with the skids.

thanks... I am going to be adding platers to my wildtrak as it came with nothing but the bash plate, would Neve =r hav thought of getting an alignment afterwords. can any tire shop do this for the bronco, or should I find a 4x4 shop?

 

[Tilzbow]

thanks... I am going to be adding platers to my wildtrak as it came with nothing but the bash plate, would Neve =r hav thought of getting an alignment afterwords. can any tire shop do this for the bronco, or should I find a 4x4 shop?

140# of my weight increase was in front of the front axle, with 110# coming from the bumper, winch and pre-runner bar. I doubt you’ll add that much weight up front with just skids.

As far as alignment, the shop you pick is pretty subjective based on their ability. I don’t think it matters if it’s a 4x specialty shop or a general alignment shop but other members probably know more since I’m definitely not an expert.

 

[Mjasi3]

140# of my weight increase was in front of the front axle, with 110# coming from the bumper, winch and pre-runner bar. I doubt you’ll add that much weight up front with just skids.

As far as alignment, the shop you pick is pretty subjective based on their ability. I don’t think it matters if it’s a 4x specialty shop or a general alignment shop but other members probably know more since I’m definitely not an expert.

thanks

 

[SierraBronco]

After we added NVM skids ours dropped to 11 mpg. (Portals and 40’s probably didn’t make that much of a difference)

 

[Roofus]

I put 19lbs heavier tires on my 2.3L BL Sas (replacing stock GY's) and lost 2-3 mpg easily. From what I can tell, most of the loss is at lower town speed, e.g. using the turbos more and longer to get to a speed.

When I went from 33’s to 35’s I dropped from 21 to 18ish. Roof rack and winch took me to 17.5. But that makes sense to me because the physics of just carrying weight are different than the physics of the engine/transmission having to rotate something heavier.

 

[Roofus]

can any tire shop do this for the bronco, or should I find a 4x4 shop?

Based on my results I would say no. After almost 30yrs wrenching on cars I’d actually say finding a really good alignment guy has been one of the tougher tasks in my experience.

 

[Mjasi3]

Based on my results I would say no. After almost 30yrs wrenching on cars I’d actually say finding a really good alignment guy has been one of the tougher tasks in my experience.

Thanks. I have all the tire places (Goodyear/ntb/Firestone/etc.), big box stores like Wally World and Sam's and 4 ford dealers (within 20min). But I'll check the local auto places. its really a crap shoot isn't it?

 

[Roofus]

Thanks. I have all the tire places (Goodyear/ntb/Firestone/etc.), big box stores like Wally World and Sam's and 4 ford dealers (within 20min). But I'll check the local auto places. its really a crap shoot isn't it?

sometimes in the past, I’ve asked the manager how good his alignment guy is, and occasionally when they have seen I have a modified vehicle they have been a little more forthright. But honestly, yeah, I feel like it has been hit or miss.

 

[Mjasi3]

sometimes in the past, I’ve asked the manager how good his alignment guy is, and occasionally when they have seen I have a modified vehicle they have been a little more forthright. But honestly, yeah, I feel like it has been hit or miss.

Thanks for the suggestion

 

[HertiageMerica]

Agree ^

Adding 80 lbs is like just taking my dog for a ride. He doesn't hurt my milage. Either aerodynamics is worse or other things at play. Maybe check your mileage for longer period of time or a whole tank then compare.

Majority of drag comes from the turbulent detached flow from the rear. If anything a smooth under side would keep the flow laminar which could be beneficial

 

[BadlandsA51]

I put 19lbs heavier tires on my 2.3L BL Sas (replacing stock GY's) and lost 2-3 mpg easily. From what I can tell, most of the loss is at lower town speed, e.g. using the turbos more and longer to get to a speed.
[/QUOTE
Those heavy tires have a double effect, the dead weight of them plus the flywheel effect of having to spin them up on acceleration.

 

[Roofus]

Guys WTF is happening?? It’s getting worse. I do not understand this at all.

 

[Brian_B]

you gotta go faster than 6mph!

 

[ScLeCo]

There is obviously something else going on with your car.
It maybe time to get a professional involved.
I only have my youtube certification.

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