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

[moidsm1]

No prob.

I do have a family of Seven but we do not always ride together.

Thanks guys for the replies.

 

[Brandon Libby]

I don't know much about the Montero, but if you have a selectable transfer case and not full time AWD, you can generally remove the front axles. The cleanest way to do it would be to swap in a pair of axle stubs from a 2WD Montero. The dimensions should be exactly the same. Just make sure you buy them with the ABS tone rings (assuming you have ABS) so that your ABS continues to function properly.

I'm assuming you could also delete the front driveshaft and differential as well. Without the front axles, you will have a 2hi, 2hi, and 2lo through the transfer case. :coffeedrink:

 

[montypower]

You can't remove the CV axles as they hold the wheel bearing in place (ie your wheel will fall off). So... you'd need to have some junk shafts that you pull apart to leave the outer spline section installed through the hub. Then leave the driver side CV cup installed so the gear oil doesn't leak out. Certainly possible. But probably gain more by hypermiling... search google. Mostly driving techniques that will easily gain you 10-20% in fuel mileage.

Planning trips, biking, walking will all save you more money... People get stuck on the gas mileage but run the numbers. It could take years to make up the difference in cost by replacing a vehicle (unless you travel huge distances).

 

[moidsm1]

Yes thats what I was thinking. the knuckle and hub need the end of the axle to hold everything together/seal the bearing/ and use the tone ring for ABS. I could create dummy axles for that affect. But will definitely look into hypermiling

 

[Mrknowitall]

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

I have a 2004 Odyssey- Lots of short trips, warming up all winter, 80-85 on the freeway, and never see below 20mpg. Sensible driving gets me to 23mpg. Highway trips are 26+mpg. The Freestar is POS.

In other news, Jeep stopped using front axle disconnects of any kind because they found the fuel economy unaffected.

 

[moidsm1]

Interesting about the Jeeps. That is good mpg for a van. V6 i believe. Still Wife hates vans

 

[Monstero]

My wife has a 2011 Odyssey and loves it. It gets used for family trips. We avg 28-29mpg and if i hypermile it and keep it under 80mph I have gotten as high as 32mpg. The new gen Odys are awesome and thats coming from a used to be "Anti-van" person.

 

[moidsm1]

Wow, That is amazing.

 

[Surlybeast]

Yea, I agree. Either buy a 2wd vehicle to start with or just drive it and remeber you got it cheap. I bought a used Grand for 7k 3 years ago and have put 40k on it and invested less than 500 in oil changes and repairs. My buddy bought a new forester for mpg savings at the same time and has roughly the same miles but is still paying a car payment. 17mpg paid off vs 24mpg car payment. Insurance is 350 a year on the Jeep. Lots of savings go in the gas tank with cheap trucks. Also, you don't get stuck on wet grass...

-jorge


01 Reg Cab Tacoma

 

[Monstero]

Very well put ^^^^