2wd vrs 4wd

[Langan]

Well finally took my newer Quigley on a familiar trip. The trip was towing a cargo trailor to Boise from Seattle. While this van performed nice it got terrible mpg compaired to my 2wd.
2wd is a 2002 e350 extended v10 , 4sp auto , 3.73 and 245/16 gets 8mpg towing and 9.5 empty
4wd is a 2012 e350 standard v10 , 5sp auto , 3.73 and 245/17
Get 6mpg towing and 7 empty.

Both are cargo vans main differance is the 2wd has the complete long tube Banks headers. Way better throutle and tows much easier and faster.

The 2012 towed ok but works harder doing it and you are only doing posted speeds.

The 2002 you are always going to fast.

Do you think its just the exhaust system?

[Langan]

Maybe Banks f250 headers 49136 or 49138? Will work? Anybody know?

[REF]

You’ve got both vans listed as 2wd, might want to edit to clarify.
Anyway, I think I get the gist. If you think about all the components that are installed in a 4wd conversion, for one, you’re adding quite a bit of weight and mass, for another your drivetrain, even without 4wd engaged or your hubs locked, you still have rotational friction going through those front axle unit bearings. The Dynatrac free spin hub kit eliminates this rotating mass and gets rid of the unit bearings, but it’s spendy.
The other factor not helping things is the lifted stance that comes with adding 4wd.
It’s all relative, you could try adding headers and exhaust, depends on the noise level you’re willing to put up with and the expense your willing to put in per gain. A tune could help out too.
Lots of people I run into look at my rig and ask what my MPG’s are, I try not to think in those terms, but rather in my overall global impact, after all, it could be bigger! Not only my global impact but the rig. Meaning, I could be driving my family of 3 around in a class A diesel pusher, towing a Jeep to the next plug in ready RV resort. How’s the old saying go....if you have to ask, you really don’t want to know.


'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
SMB RB50 w/CCV top
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile RIP kit

[longboardguy]

People often ask me what kind of mileage I get with my V10, High Top and Quigley.
I tell them I don't get mileage, I get yardage.

[arctictraveller]

I've often wonder about the effect headers would have. My exhaust system has lots of poorly made bends, so a set of headers and new pipes might make a difference, I look forward to your findings. Meanwhile, have you checked the calibration of your odometer? That can make a difference in calculated mileage.

Originally Posted by longboardguy

I tell them I don't get mileage, I get yardage.

Too funny..............

[Langan]

Its like the 2wd has 50 more hp. But know one ever says my 2wd is cool.
I will look into the banks exhaust my set on the 2wd is 50 state legal.
The Quigley has some tight hacked up bends on driver side. If nothing else i will see if i can help that out

[BrianW]

People say my 2WD SMB is cool! Not as cool as a blinged-out 4x4 SMB I guess, but a lot cheaper, easier to maintain, and better on gas :-) In any event, more people by far told me my Vanagon Westy was cool compared with my SMB, but I’m a lot happier with my SMB :-)

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by Langan

The Quigley has some tight hacked up bends on driver side. If nothing else i will see if i can help that out

Be glad you don't have an Advanced conversion. They must have subcontracted to kindergardners to do the exhaust work.

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by longboardguy

People often ask me what kind of mileage I get with my V10, High Top and Quigley.
I tell them I don't get mileage, I get yardage.

[carringb]

Yes, the Banks headers make all the difference in the world when towing. Basically, you can almost always pull a full-profile trailer in one gear higher than a V10 without Banks.

However, 7 MPG in a 4x4 V10 is not normal. Is all the basic maintenance up to par? Worn spark plug causes a pretty dramatic dump in fuel economy.