Crewman 6 speed manual. Anyone put big diameter tyres/wheels on?

[rudi]

Hi all
I haven't given completely up on getting a Crewman yet because of the apparent bad fuel economy.
I drive highway a lot but also go up bush gravel road/tracks (not 4x4) rough gravel roads.

I see the gear ratios appear to put the 6th gear slightly shorter (I think means more RPM) at cruise highway speed than a Commodore Wagon. 1st gear is very short, so again I assume this means 1st gear has very quick high revs and not much top speed?

Manual Auto


1st 4.48 3.06

2nd 2.58 1.63

3rd 1.63 1.00

4th 1.19 0.70

5th 1.00

6th 0.75

Reverse 3.96 2.29

Final drive ratio
3.46:1 V6 3.08:1 V8 3.07:1

Had a thought about putting bigger rolling diameter tyres/wheels on to also get some lift. Plus having that as a thought, It made me wonder if this would help improve fuel consumption on the highway. by reducing the RPM at 100/110 kmh and allowing 1st gear to be more, like a normal 1st gear in most cars. Id no doubt have to use 5th gear more and use the 6th gear primarily for dead flat roads to prevent the engine from labouring.
I did this in an old (don't laugh) 2.0 litre Camira manual. It worked a treat getting a bit extra clearance and I didn't notice any difference in fuel consumption. But it was a cheap car to run anyway.
Though I do think if I did this in a Auto then the Crewman would perform very sluggish and use a lot more fuel. So hence the thought of manual 6 speed. More gears to play with.
ps I don't carry much extra weight. I carry long skis/kayaks on the roof but they weigh bugger all.

Anyone done this? Thoughts?

 

[TheWade]

I'd opt for one of the Cross varients, wither a Cross 6 or Cross 8, they have the extra height already and you don't have to worry about stuffing around getting new rims etc. You'd also need to make sure when getting your new rims that they are load rated to the vehicle regardless of the load you are carrying.

 

[jafolol]

Hi all
I haven't given completely up on getting a Crewman yet because of the apparent bad fuel economy.
I drive highway a lot but also go up bush gravel road/tracks (not 4x4) rough gravel roads.

I see the gear ratios appear to put the 6th gear slightly shorter (I think means more RPM) at cruise highway speed than a Commodore Wagon. 1st gear is very short, so again I assume this means 1st gear has very quick high revs and not much top speed?

Manual Auto


1st 4.48 3.06

2nd 2.58 1.63

3rd 1.63 1.00

4th 1.19 0.70

5th 1.00

6th 0.75

Reverse 3.96 2.29

Final drive ratio
3.46:1 V6 3.08:1 V8 3.07:1

Had a thought about putting bigger rolling diameter tyres/wheels on to also get some lift. Plus having that as a thought, It made me wonder if this would help improve fuel consumption on the highway. by reducing the RPM at 100/110 kmh and allowing 1st gear to be more, like a normal 1st gear in most cars. Id no doubt have to use 5th gear more and use the 6th gear primarily for dead flat roads to prevent the engine from labouring.
I did this in an old (don't laugh) 2.0 litre Camira manual. It worked a treat getting a bit extra clearance and I didn't notice any difference in fuel consumption. But it was a cheap car to run anyway.
Though I do think if I did this in a Auto then the Crewman would perform very sluggish and use a lot more fuel. So hence the thought of manual 6 speed. More gears to play with.
ps I don't carry much extra weight. I carry long skis/kayaks on the roof but they weigh bugger all.

Anyone done this? Thoughts?

Hi , yep 235/45/17, got set off 18 going to try soon. Not sure about fuel econ but sticks like s...to a blanket. I've got one tonner , use to take tail gate off my vs ute heaps better on fuel, also clean o2sensor..flow meter. ECT..

 

[Surfwagon]

Utes without a cover (soft or hard) are like driving with a parachute when tailgate is up.

 

[losh1971]

Utes without a cover (soft or hard) are like driving with a parachute when tailgate is up.

good to know. Looks like the toino cover is going back on next time i head home.

 

[Fu Manchu]

I have 245/35/R19's.
It was a huge improvement.

I never use this for towing a boat or any thing one tonner-ish.
The odd trailer with mulch at best, but what sedan or wagon doesn't do that?

 

[TheWade]

Actually the Tonneau Cover being on or off doesn't make a difference and having the tail gate off for better fuel economy is a myth, utes by design create an air bubble behind the cabin which has the effect of changing the airflow over the vehicle having the tailgate off or down gets rid of this bubble and creates drag on the vehicle effectively increasing fuel usage. There is an episode of Myth Busters that talks about this also Roadkill on Youtube mention it in one of their episodes I think about episode 48-50.

 

[Surfwagon]

Actually the Tonneau Cover being on or off doesn't make a difference and having the tail gate off for better fuel economy is a myth, utes by design create an air bubble behind the cabin which has the effect of changing the airflow over the vehicle having the tailgate off or down gets rid of this bubble and creates drag on the vehicle effectively increasing fuel usage. There is an episode of Myth Busters that talks about this also Roadkill on Youtube mention it in one of their episodes I think about episode 48-50.

I stand corrected, obviously front cabin roof design is a lot better now than when I had my HG 350 ute.