OT- 4x4 Pickups and fuel milage

I have priced aftermarket lockout hubs for my '97 Ram, but they are around $2500 for the set (I don't remember the manufacturor of the kit). They boasted being able to boost the milage by 2-3mpg. $2500 buys a lot of gas, but I would imagine the price would be substantially lower if it was an option from the factory. It would probably be worth an extra $1000 on the purchase price, and it would allow the vehicle to hit better emmissions ratings.

At $3/gallon, 2mpg savings, and 15000 miles/yr, that would be ~$300 savings per year.

Just a thought... Is there something I am missing?

Yes, it HAS to take SOME power but NO WAY is it believable it would be that much.

The auto companies take drastic measures to increase mileage by even 1/10 of a MPG, and there's NO WAY an "easy" 2 or 3 MPG increase would be overlooked!

Why not put the blame for poor mileage where it truly rests... the bottom line with mileage in new vehicles is that it takes LOTS of extra fuel to clean up the emissions to meet government mandates. (As ludicrous as that sounds!)

Incidently: (from the EPA website)

===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ==
1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD

Engine Size (liters): 5.9
Cylinders: 8
Transmission: Automatic 4-spd
Drive: Rear-Wheel Drive

Regular Gasoline

11 MPG City

13 MPG Combined

16 MPH Highway

===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ==1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD

Engine Size (liters): 5.9
Cylinders: 8
Transmission: Automatic 4-spd
Drive: 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

Regular Gasoline

11 MPG City

12 MPG Combined

15 MPG Hwy ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ==

These are 1/2 ton pickups, as that EPA site doesn't list 3/4 ton or 1 ton units.

You will notice the 4X4 has a mileage penalty of ONE MPG on the highway, even with it's added weight of the transfer case and front driving axle.

If there is only ONE mpg difference between a similar 2WD and 4WD pickup to begin with HOW could lockout hubs save 2-3 MPG, making the 4WD with hubs 1 or 2 MPG MORE efficent than it's 2WD cousin???

• See the EPA site for yourself...

My Ram is a 1500, 5.2L, manual, 4x4, Shortbox, with highway gears and 205k miles. When I bought it got ~15mpg. After adding a free flow exhaust and converter, platinum plugs, K&N air filter, and keeping the narrow 245/75R16 tires, I still get 17mpg.

I grew up with 2x4 pickups and this was my first exposure to a 4x4. When I'm driving through mud or snow in 2-wheel, it pushes far worse than anything I have ever driven. I attribute this to the higher rolling resistance of spinning the unused front drive train.

From my perspective the manufacturers did away with the lock-outs for convenince and as long as they make the trucks with power-adjust pedals, they will probably not bring them back.

No need for manual lockouts.

When you put it in 4wd it automatically locks the front axle in and unlocks when in 2wd.

Least my 95 was set up that way.

Gary

My '89 Chevy has the shift motor on the front diff.

My '78 Chevy beater has full time that works fine.

I agree, the manufacturers arent' building many honest to God workhorses anymore. I laugh when I see a full sized four door pickup--with a dinky 3 foot box that won't hold as much as the trunk of my car.

Haven't heard that story yet. They want ya to burn all the fuel possible. At $4 a gallon.

Allan

Granted, it's kind of nice not having to tromp through the mud or snow to get at the front hubs...but the more automatic something is...the easier it breaks. I'd prefer manual hubs if I had a choice.

The mpg diff is about 1 mpg or less if you aren't selling hubs. Seems to go up for those selling them.

I've got a little suzuki samurai with 80w90 in it, divorced transfer case etc. When its -30 out its all its got to turn the tires in high range 4wd. In 2wd the tires will sometimes just push unless I unlock the hubs lol. I'm sure the mileage takes a hit when its that cold!