4" or 6" Ujoint lift

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by E350

... I got 21.96 mpg* driving 45-55 mph on the flats on I-5 from Sacto to L.A.

Wow, the typical speed on that section must be 80mph. You're brave for driving that speed, especially with all the big rigs.


Herb

[E350]

Yup. But it was within the engine break in period and I had no choice.

[BTW, I am in the process of figuring out why my tailgate window is intermittent. I have the inspection panel out and the motor works fine when jumped. Just going out now to try to find out where the tailgate closed sensor switch is. 1995 EB FS Bronco 5.8, bone stock.]

[Abitibi]

E350, I'm curious why you call big time BS on tire size/RPM ratio? Or did I mis-understand you?

In all my trucks going to larger tires meant lower RPM for same hwy speed, slower hill climbs and it threw off a bit the gears changing pattern ie. while shifting on a climb I now had to rev the 3rd gear quite high and passing to 4th the RPM were too low... I would think that if you have the option, matching your gears to tire size would be beneficial?

I can't comment yet from experience with the 7.3 as I'm still building the van but I built my axles with 4.10 as I plan to run 35's. also, while I won't be towing much or frequently I'm sure the van will end up heavy enough to benefit from the gear change.

Thanks again for everyone's contribution!

Cheers
Mr. D

[E350]

Abitibi: Read each of these three separate threads by Dave Whitmer:

http://powerstrokenation.com/forums/sho ... p?t=119746
http://powerstrokenation.com/forums/sho ... p?t=119745
http://powerstrokenation.com/forums/sho ... p?t=119458

One of them deals specifically with larger tires to increase mpg.

I want as little rolling mass as possible. That's why my bicycle does not have Volkswagen van size tires. I could probably push 'em, but at every stop it would take way too much energy for me to get the bike back up to cruising speed.

E = Fuel

Again, everyone has one, (some say I am one), so don't take just my opinion.

[BajaSportsmobile]

Originally Posted by E350

Just going out now to try to find out where the tailgate closed sensor switch is. 1995 EB FS Bronco 5.8, bone stock.]

Look at the latch mechanism inside the tailgate on the driver's side - hard to get to.

[UJOINT]

Here are my thoughts.....

Every van has different needs/expectations for each individual owner. And all of our vans are different, even if they have the same engine. Location is a factor as well, and lets not forget about cost! I have a lot of guys that make compromises because of the budget. I wouldn't recommend 3.55's for any conversion unless the stock tire size is used (this NEVER happens!) If we really want to get technical, lower gears should still be used due to the increase of resistance with the new altitude. This is the formula I've always used is:

New tire diameter divided by stock/current diameter. Take that # and multiply by the stock gear ratio and you're left with what the van "should" have for new gears. Most of the time this # is a ratio that doesn't exist so you have to go up or down from there. I tend to go lower to compensate for the lift.

Example---- 33/30 = 1.1. Multiply that by 3.55 and you have 3.90. So that puts you right between 3.73 & 4.10. If the van is heavy (interior mods) and/or plans to tow, lives in an mountainous area, I would go 4.10. If the van doesn't, go 3.73.

[calebmogul]

Sorry to be offline for a while - had to take the van on a workout/camping/windsurfing trip. With the van stacked with boards and kayak, food, water and all my gear I was still getting 20mpg from the mountains (i live at 9000ft) to the desert and back up again. Man is this van a pleasure to drive.

The gearing comments and threads offered by E350 and Stueber have me re-considering again. Sure sounds good to keep mpg performance better by keeping the 3.55 gearing. As a camper van I will almost always be carrying pretty heavy loads be it toys and gear, or hauling construction materials. I will not be towing very often. However, I do have a 7000 lb. trailer but it lives in Baja and I only tow it a couple miles at a time around 10mph. I also have a really lite boat (less than 2000lbs). I may want/need to pull an equipment trailer for work ( maybe $5000 lbs ) once a year. The van will also be my only vehicle, but I don't have to commute to work.

Driving up the passes is a breeze with the 7.3/3.55 set up I have now. I don't have a means of monitoring the transmission heat, perhaps the tranny is working harder than I think. Judging by the way I don't have to depress the gas pedal much at all, and the way the engine sounds/feels, I would say the engine is hardly working at all, even on the steepest hills.

After much deliberation, I will be getting back in touch with Chris regarding a 4" lift and 4.10 gearing. Without trying to put words in his mouth, he suggests a 2mpg loss or less in fuel economy. I'll be happy if I can still get 16-18mph! My thoughts are that I can always uprgrade to the 6" if I want more wheel travel down the road, since the Ujoint system appears to be a relatively easy/inexpensive to upgrade. I'm trying to scrape some more money together to do the Sterling full float rear axle at the same time as the front axle.Then the extras like fuel tank, bigger tires, aluminess spare tire rack, Ujoint front bumper etc.

Anymore feedback regarding this van build would be greatly appreciated as I move closer to dropping the loot on the 4x4 conversion.

Thanks for the time....
[photo][/photo]

[dhally]

Here is my input: For snow and sand, go with the 4" lift, 4.1 axle, and forget the full floater. Spend more $$ on proper springs and shocks, that will provide the most noticable benefit. Stop calculating fuel mileage...

[carringb]

Originally Posted by dhally

Stop calculating fuel mileage...

Just stick a bigger tank in it, and you can get wayyy better "mileage".

[calebmogul]

yeah the more I read the more I agree that fuel economy is best not to think about....it certainly has made me consider just going from 1wd - 2wd with rear end improvements. Having explored down that road it just doesn't seem like its enough.