keithb7 Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 I think I read somewhere on here that if you replace the auto locking hubs with manul lockers you can get a significant increase in fuel milage. Has anyone actually done this? If so did you do a fuel milage calculation? Any improvement? I did the full tune up last summer, plugs, filters, rotor, cap, etc. After the tune up I was getting about 20 Mpg on the Hiway. Not the greatest in my opinion. Maybe I'll try changing the O2 sensor and installing a K&N filter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 That's only on R50 Pathfinders, from 1996-up. You probably won't notice any change in fuel mileage on a WD21 Pathy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithb7 Posted November 30, 2004 Author Share Posted November 30, 2004 What about an electric fan? Any improvement on fuel costs? Am I reaching for straws here? There must be somethin can be done. I can live with the poor fuel economy if there was at least decent horsepower. I keep thinking either improve the fuel economy or the power, as this V6 is one of the weakest 6 cylinders I have driven. Maybe the gearing is low as this is a 4X4, maybe its the larger tires? The extra weight of the bush bar and the side steps? It all adds up I know to poor fuel economy. Other than fuel costs I do love my Pathfinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 All of the above...mine weighs about 4400+ lbs without me in it, has 33" tires, 4.625 gearing, roof racks, spare tire on the roof, lights on the roof, 40 lb skidplate, add-ons, etc...I get about 10-12 MPG. Be thankful you're getting better than that, eh? These things never were rated for high gas mileage. 15 city 18 highway is stock MPG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94extreme Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 20mpg is pretty great for a pathy. i really don't think you can get much more then that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n0cturne74 Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 yea my 95 XE is pushing 150K and is basically stock besides the grill guard. I'm still getting a consistant 15 mpg. Not bad considering newer pathy's get about the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 An electric fan will help a lot on mpg. Mine (93 Pathy)jumped 3-4mpg. I took a trip before the swap and got 18mpg after the swap on long hauls I was getting over 20mpg (got 22mpg on a trip to Tenn, got 24mpg on a trip to DC). In town it is noticable because it only kicks on when needed and still has better milage than stock(I usually put about 16 or 17 gallons in on a fill up and get about 360 miles on that). The engine seems to run smoother without the clutch fan on the front of it also. My 88 is getting 17mpg on highway milage with the clutch fan, around 15 in town. I'll be putting an electric in it once the funds are available to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithb7 Posted December 2, 2004 Author Share Posted December 2, 2004 So...Where do I start to go get an electric fan. How about a temp fan stat switch? Where do you screw it in to the cooling system? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 The thermostat kit will come with instructions. Mine simply sticks inbetween cooling fins right next to the upper radiator hose. I bought the thermostat kit from a local parts store, Knechts. A Ford Taurus 16.5" fan will fit fine after trimming, as will a Quest or Villager 16.5" fan after trimming. They don't fit well in stock form, but trimming plastic is child's play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaritimeMan Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 seems to me the mpg increase would only be in 4WD, since that is when the hubs are in effect. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithb7 Posted December 3, 2004 Author Share Posted December 3, 2004 I would expect a slight fuel milage increase all the time as there is less load on the engine. All these belt driven components like alternators, A/C compressors, power steering pumps, water pump, and fan drive all rob precious horsepower from the engine. Look at a 1/4 mile car, they pull everything they can off the front of the engine. They usually have electric fans and electric waterpumps. Usually the one lonely belt drives the alternator and that's it. All adds up to more horsepower to the wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaritimeMan Posted December 3, 2004 Share Posted December 3, 2004 Yes, the accesory decrease makes perfect sense. I was wondering about the hubs, as they are only in effect in 4WD, due to the Xfer case not spinning the shafts in 2HI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted December 3, 2004 Share Posted December 3, 2004 On an R50 Pathfinder, they have drive flanges on the front wheels, not hubs. This means they spin the front axles and diff all the time, regardless of which position the transfer case is in. Putting manual locking hubs on an R50 frees up the front axles and diff, which reduces rotating mass and frictional losses involved with the front drivetrain spinning, thereby giving you slightly better gas mileage. If you do put hubs on a R50, you'd need to be real careful about putting it into 4WD while the vehicle is in motion, cause the front drivetrain won't be spinning if the hubs are unlocked. Shift the t-case into 4WD and it'd grind fairly nicely and make bad noises, probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Posted December 22, 2004 Share Posted December 22, 2004 I will be getting the Superwinch manual locking hubs soon...will let ya know how they go for me...they are "better" (going by description and goodies/features) than teh Warn. They are sealed, which we need for teh sand, snow and all the mud I like to slop around in...and they're $50 cheaper than the Warns...added bonus....LOL :bow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardwaretoad Posted December 25, 2004 Share Posted December 25, 2004 Warn's have been berry berry good to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now