Increasing MPG Idea, For wifes daily driver. Remove front axles

[moidsm1]

Hey guys, I know this is an expedition site but I am a Montero owner and my wife would like to save some gas money without buying another vehicle. The truck is a 2001 MOntero Limited with 130K 3.5L Gas.


The first option is Manual hubs but I cant seem to find any.

Second option. Do you guys think it would be possible to just remove the front axles from the front differential and install freeze plugs in place to keep the fluid in.

Please dont flame me for wanting to convert to 2wd, But again this is just an Idea

 

[JamesW]

Wouldn't really make a difference,the RHS shaft gets disconnected in 2wd,so it would only be a fractional difference.

Your best bet would be to get some higher eco rated tyres,they make a huge difference on my daily driver

 

[moidsm1]

I just noticed that These particular fron axles are designed as bolt on to the front diff and splined into the front hubs. This is good news as I can just dis assemble the axle shaft from the splined end and keep the splined end bolted into the front knuckle like normal

 

[moidsm1]

Thanks JamesW I guess I dont know the system well. Does that mean that while Selected in 2WD it really is in 3WD? Im taking that RHS means Right hand side front axle?

 

[PirateMcGee]

If you spend any money on this you will not make it up in fuel savings costs (I have manual hubs).....sell it and buy a civic as a daily.

 

[jhill15]

If you dont mind me asking, what mpg is she getting right now?
There are all kinds of different ways to improve mpg but I wouldn't disconnect the front axles to gain mpg.

 

[jlocster]

I have manual hubs, albeit on a Gen 2.5 and not a Gen 3. There is no noticeable difference in fuel economy between having the hubs locked vs unlocked. The only difference one might find with manual hubs is less wear of the axle boots since the axles wont be spinning when unlocked at the hub.

 

[ohv]

I had okay gains with e3 plugs, upping the psi in my tires. I also went to a super charger on my dodge ram 1500 w/ hemi.

Complete tune up may help.

I like your idea on 2wd tho.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I had okay gains with e3 plugs, upping the psi in my tires. I also went to a super charger on my dodge ram 1500 w/ hemi.

Complete tune up may help.

I like your idea on 2wd tho.

Cool story bro, now post something specific to a Montero that makes sense.

 

[ohv]

Cool story bro, now post something specific to a Montero that makes sense.

Oh yeah bro.

 

[Sabre]

It makes no sense to try to justify such a project. The Montero is not a fuel-efficient vehicle and can't be made into one. Not a flame by any means, and I certainly love mine, but if mpg is that important and if your bride needs only a daily driver and NOT a competent 4WD machine, there are any number of comfortable cars that are much more friendly at the pumps.

 

[1morebike]

Buy a scanguage. One of the best ways to get mpg is to change your driving habits. Get scanguage and calibrate it and pay attention to it. My Land cruiser was pig in the gas department and scanguage taught me real quick that I was driving like dickhead.

 

[moidsm1]

PirateMcgee If I could fit two carseats and three extra passengers in a Civic that would be awesome! The third row seat is the reason we chose the montero. Plus my wife hates Minivans. Right now it is getting about 16 MPG. Will definetley do the major tune up items and Extra air in the tires. I guess I just grew up old school Chevy Blazer style where everyone wanted Manual hubs to save a little gas. The axle removal Idea is that, Just an Idea. I came up with the Idea because My understanding has always been that 2wd vehicles use less fuel to operate. This would be a last Ditch effort ta save fuel. I aquired the montero very cheaply and dont mind modifying it as long as I keep it reversible If I change my mind. I do have a Superduty and Cummins Suburban if I want to do any Wheeling.

So Theoretically, Would converting the monty to full time 2WD cause in increase in fuel economy?

 

[moidsm1]

Minivans are a scam! My father in law has a 2005 Ford Freestar that averages 15MPG. Screw that, I also own a 1996 4 Cylinder Honda Odyssey Mini Van that averages 18 MPG. Wife hates it. Its for sale BTW. lol

 

[PirateMcGee]

PirateMcgee If I could fit two carseats and three extra passengers in a Civic that would be awesome! The third row seat is the reason we chose the montero. Plus my wife hates Minivans. Right now it is getting about 16 MPG. Will definetley do the major tune up items and Extra air in the tires. I guess I just grew up old school Chevy Blazer style where everyone wanted Manual hubs to save a little gas. The axle removal Idea is that, Just an Idea. I came up with the Idea because My understanding has always been that 2wd vehicles use less fuel to operate. This would be a last Ditch effort ta save fuel. I aquired the montero very cheaply and dont mind modifying it as long as I keep it reversible If I change my mind. I do have a Superduty and Cummins Suburban if I want to do any Wheeling.

So Theoretically, Would converting the monty to full time 2WD cause in increase in fuel economy?

Sorry if that came off wrong. You will not see any gain in mpg by switching to 2wd. Since the montero was a cheap purchase I would either A. Stop worrying about the fuel economy because it is what it is and cannot be improved in any meaningful way other than how it's operated (although 16mpg seems reasonable) or B sell it and buy something that gets better gas mileage and seats 7 (do you have 5 kids?) Really if you have to haul 7 people there aren't a lot of good gas mileage options. Does she drive 7 people all the time?