Significant Difference MPG 2WD vs 4WD?

[Thai]

Whys that? Based on what we know that IFS provides better ground clearance since the clamshell sits up higher than the front diff on a solid axle will.

Advertised ride height from Jeep puts the Wrangler Rubicon at 10.5" and the Toyota 4Runner at 11" I am obviously siting google and every vehicle varies slightly.

Boy, where to start? Let me guess, the 11" ground clearance is what you got from Toyota brochure on the 3rd gen 4runner? That measurement is 100% bogus...and 100% false advertisement! I had a 3rd gen. Lowest ground clearance was around 9.5" or so (from memory). Toyota dishonestly used some point at the bottom of frame (or transfer case) to get 11".

Another example of bogus? Your 4th gen 4runner has a listed clearance of 9.1" or something like that. Actually, it is 8.3". Lowest point is 8.3"...and strangely, Lexus GX470 brochure got it right at 8.3". I guess Lexus owners pay more for luxury and more honest specs!! :lol:

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon ground clearance is 100% accurate. One thing nice about Jeeps is that their off-road specs are usually accurate.

As for pumpkin vs. IFS clearance, when i had my G500, i knew where my pumpkin was...and from the ground to the actual axle tube, it was over 11". I am sure that the Rubicon may be even higher. So, all i had to do was avoid the pumpkin and i get high clearance. So, the Wrangler Rubicon has clearance of 10.5" at the bottom of the pumpkin...just imaging how it is at the axle tube!! There is no comparison b/w the two. Off-road, solid axle rules. This is no up for debate among off-roaders. For posers, then yeah, people make all sort of weird arguments...none of which is true when you hit the dirt.

taking it down th etrail and making it down the trail are two different things.... having owned both I can honestly say off the showroom floor, the Jeep is by far the most capable rig I have ever driven.

Agree 100%. If you're even comparing the off-road capability of a stock Jeep Wranlger Rubicon to a stock 4runner, then you don't know what you're talking about! :toilet:

I believe if Toyota had kept the SFA in favor of IFS your opinion might be reversed. Optional factory lockers, ATRAC, generous ground clearance, unlocking sway bars on the TE, really the only thing they lack is SFA for superior flex.

We can talk all we want about "ifs and buts"...but in reality, there is no SFA on current or recent gen 4runners.

What do you think the Wrangler Rubicon has? Here are a few points:
- Solid axles all around...Dana 44 Hybrid (stronger than Dana 44)...and yes, arguably stronger than Toyota 4runner's rear solid axle (at least the 4th gen and prior...not sure about the slight upgraded rear axle on 5th gen)
- Disconnects...true disconnects in the front...not the overly complicated KDSS...trust me, RTI b/w a Rubicon and a TE is not even close!
- Mechanical lockers on the Rubicon historically have been proven to be even stronger than Detroit by Jeep internal testing! In other words, they are good sh!t man! And they are standard on every Rubicon sold...no option box to check.
- ATRAC...well, Jeep has that too. And yes, i believe that their ATRAC can be adjusted to be more or less aggressive.
- Ground clearance is superior...no debate.
- Standard 32" Mud-Terrains (BFG MT with unique tread)
- Crawl ratio of over 70...and over 50 or so with AT
- Standard 4:1 transfer case; a torque monster off-road!
- Unbeatable approach and departure angles that no SUV can match!

So, yeah, while i love 4runners...and they are certainly the vehicle of choice for me if i was still off-roading because they make great dual purpose vehicles, but comparing them off-road to Jeep Wranglers is NOT a smart idea!

 

[rebelbowtie]

:lol: man you are trying REALLY hard there bud, you dont have to tell me what a Jeep has or whats beneficial for off roading... I have a 2002 Wrangler with a 4" short arm lift and 35" BFG KM1 mud tires and mini spool rear.

I also had a Ranger with a 302 on a chopped and bobbed F250 frame D50 front and sterling 10.25" rear on 40" ground hawgs and custom lift fabbed by yours truely.

I have built purpose off road buggies with 20 ton payloader axles with portals and tractor tires. we can sit here all day and go back and forth on which vehicle has better specs on paper but a 4Runner can still hold its own on the trails compared to most Jeeps despite having slightly less ground clearance and IFS.

lets not forget the "driver mod" I've taken a mostly stock Chevy pick up with IFS down some trails that other highly modified solid axle vehicles couldnt make.

 

[Stifler]

I believe if Toyota had kept the SFA in favor of IFS your opinion might be reversed. Optional factory lockers, ATRAC, generous ground clearance, unlocking sway bars on the TE, really the only thing they lack is SFA for superior flex.

I love my runner but even with a SA it couldn't hang with my TJ LJ or JKU. Here is my rig for "off road"

this is on 35s

 

[Thai]

2 mpg difference...say driving 12k miles per year. Price of gas is $3.50.

SUV A gets 21 mpg

SUV B gets 23 mpg

After 12k miles, SUV A uses 571.4 gallons. SUV B uses 521.7 gallons.

At $3.50 per gallon, SUV A uses $1,999.90. SUV B uses $1,825.95.

After 12k miles, SUV B owner would save $173.95 in gas vs. SUV A.

 

[rebelbowtie]

i mean if youre going strictly by whats on paper then the Hummer H2 is comparable to a Jeep off road because the approach and departure angles are both over 40" but will anyone be fooled into thinking an H2 is as serious offroader as a Jeep? not likely

 

[Thai]

I have a 2002 Wrangler with a 4" short arm lift and 35" BFG KM1 mud tires and mini spool rear.

but a 4Runner can still hold its own on the trails compared to most Jeeps despite having slightly less ground clearance and IFS.

Yeah, but your 2002 Wrangler don't have half the stuff the Rubicon has.

What trail? Backroads? Sure, a 4runner can hang with a Jeep over this terrain. But technical trails or rock crawling? I doubt it.

 

[Thai]

i mean if youre going strictly by whats on paper then the Hummer H2 is comparable to a Jeep off road because the approach and departure angles are both over 40" but will anyone be fooled into thinking an H2 is as serious offroader as a Jeep? not likely

Size dude. IFS. Weak tie rod. Heavy. Etc.

Are you saying that a Wrangler Rubicon is only good on paper? Dude, what are you smoking? I want some of that!