chuckm65
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Orlando, FL
I drive about 50,000 miles a year for my job. It typically involves about 80-90% highway and the rest involves driving back roads in everything from residential subdivisions to logging roads.
In the past, I've used a variety of vehicles (4x4 trucks, cars, vans, etc.) I buy only used vehicles that are known for being reliable, as with four kids, I can't afford that kind of depreciation on a new vehicle. About 6 months ago, I bought a 97 XJ with 88K on it. 4.0, automatic and completely stock. I can only say I wish I had discovered Jeeps a long time ago. This thing does it all. It'll drive over anything, handles fairly well on the highway, gets up and moves when I need it to, and has a TIGHT turning radius. I can take this one vehicle and do any assignment I'm handed.
However, the mileage is not so great. I average a combined mileage of about 18-19 miles per gallon.
With gas going to $4.00 per gallon, I'll be spending about $1,000 per month just to fill this thing up.
I've been doing some research on hybrids, and the bottom line is that I don't feel anything I can buy off the showroom floor will do everything I want it to, and more importantly, I don't think it will hold up under the kind of mileage I demand. And I don't think they make 4WD hybrids yet, nor would I want to scratch up a brand new paint job on an old logging road.
I've decided lo look into the possibilities of building a diesel-electric hybrid XJ. :attom:
The advantages of using an XJ is that the suspension, body and drivetrain (at least the parts that twill remain fairly stock) are durable and when they do wear out, I can either replace them with a plentiful used parts supply, or just buy another used XJ and move over the hybrid components - most of which will outlast several vehicles.
The electric motor I think would be a good replacement for the 4.0 is a 67KW Siemens with a max power output of 150KW (thats about 90HP continuous with a max of 200HP) and the torque is unbelievable - in fact, a limiter of some kind would probably be necessary to prevent breaking stock dirve-line components.
My current need for information relates to sizing the charging generator and matching diesel engine. Depending on the type and quantity of batteries I use, I should be able to get 40-100 miles on the batteries before the diesel has to kick in to provide electricity to keep the car going, or alternately, charge the batteries when I'm stopped in traffic or parked. Essentially, the diesel / generator package should be able to put out just a little more KW/HP than I will use at 70 MPH, which is the top long-haul continuous speed I will need to maintain, even if the batteries are completely drained.
Does anyone know how much horsepower it takes to make an XJ go 70 MPH? or how I can find that out? My current XJ is doing about 2,200-2,300 RPM at that speed with LOTS of pedal left. I know that the 4.0 is rated for around 190 HP at 4,500-ish RPM, and I am hoping I am well under half of that at 70MPH.
Any info would be helpful and appreciated. Also I would love to communicate directly with someone who has experience or knowledge in charging systems. Thanks in advance.
:cheers:
In the past, I've used a variety of vehicles (4x4 trucks, cars, vans, etc.) I buy only used vehicles that are known for being reliable, as with four kids, I can't afford that kind of depreciation on a new vehicle. About 6 months ago, I bought a 97 XJ with 88K on it. 4.0, automatic and completely stock. I can only say I wish I had discovered Jeeps a long time ago. This thing does it all. It'll drive over anything, handles fairly well on the highway, gets up and moves when I need it to, and has a TIGHT turning radius. I can take this one vehicle and do any assignment I'm handed.
However, the mileage is not so great. I average a combined mileage of about 18-19 miles per gallon.
With gas going to $4.00 per gallon, I'll be spending about $1,000 per month just to fill this thing up.
I've been doing some research on hybrids, and the bottom line is that I don't feel anything I can buy off the showroom floor will do everything I want it to, and more importantly, I don't think it will hold up under the kind of mileage I demand. And I don't think they make 4WD hybrids yet, nor would I want to scratch up a brand new paint job on an old logging road.
I've decided lo look into the possibilities of building a diesel-electric hybrid XJ. :attom:
The advantages of using an XJ is that the suspension, body and drivetrain (at least the parts that twill remain fairly stock) are durable and when they do wear out, I can either replace them with a plentiful used parts supply, or just buy another used XJ and move over the hybrid components - most of which will outlast several vehicles.
The electric motor I think would be a good replacement for the 4.0 is a 67KW Siemens with a max power output of 150KW (thats about 90HP continuous with a max of 200HP) and the torque is unbelievable - in fact, a limiter of some kind would probably be necessary to prevent breaking stock dirve-line components.
My current need for information relates to sizing the charging generator and matching diesel engine. Depending on the type and quantity of batteries I use, I should be able to get 40-100 miles on the batteries before the diesel has to kick in to provide electricity to keep the car going, or alternately, charge the batteries when I'm stopped in traffic or parked. Essentially, the diesel / generator package should be able to put out just a little more KW/HP than I will use at 70 MPH, which is the top long-haul continuous speed I will need to maintain, even if the batteries are completely drained.
Does anyone know how much horsepower it takes to make an XJ go 70 MPH? or how I can find that out? My current XJ is doing about 2,200-2,300 RPM at that speed with LOTS of pedal left. I know that the 4.0 is rated for around 190 HP at 4,500-ish RPM, and I am hoping I am well under half of that at 70MPH.
Any info would be helpful and appreciated. Also I would love to communicate directly with someone who has experience or knowledge in charging systems. Thanks in advance.
:cheers:
