Like driving with a parachute

EDRN

EDRN

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 2, 2020
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140
Location
Tacoma, for now
Driving cross country to WA for a job. First time taking the 06 lj more than 200 or so miles in a day. Was doing fine, getting 15mpg and staying around 2500 rpm @ 75 mph all the way from KY to Kansas, but once i hit around 600 mi into the trip it started to feel like i was driving with a parachute on, like i had no power. I stopped for the night after around 900 mi thinking maybe i just needed to let it rest, but im havimg the same issue this am. Consistently having to hit 4k rpm just to keep it at 70 mph and gettin 10 mpg on flat kansas interstate. My hope is that maybe its just the wind coming across the plains kicking my ass, but ive driven a 97 XJ acoss this state multiple times and never had such crazy power issues.

I'm not throwing any codes. I've got 33" tires and recently regeard to 5.13. I maybe have some driveline vibe but nothing seems to be heating up. I figure if it was an engine issue i would have a code to check on and i've tried to rule out any losses from friction i guess?

or is this just life with a long haul lj?
 
I think that's the wind you're dealing with.

When I drive my TJ on the highways at high speeds, I notice that whenever big wind gusts start to happen the TJ feels considerably slower. This makes sense if you think about it. Since the TJ has the aerodynamics of a brick wall, the wind is making it act as a big air brake of sorts.
 
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Lets hope. I guess driving the xj was like a washing machine box whereas this is like a fridge box. The problem seems to be that theres no power in OD. I can get up to 75mph in 4th easy but as soon as i shift it starts to slow down.
 
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Did you suddenly hit an area selling 10%ethanol fuel? It can definitely be felt in every vehicle I've driven. You could have crossed a state line to fuel up or something.
 
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One of your upstream O2 sensors might have gone bad too and totally screwed up the air/fuel mixture. No, that problem won't always set a DTC code and/or a check engine light. The computer isn't always smart enough to know when a bad 02 sensor is giving bad data.

Something else that can cause a sudden loss of power is a catalytic converter starting to get clogged up.
 
Good point. A brief peek under the hood didnt show any loose wiring, but ill check more in depth when i stop over in denver. I was able to draft off a semi earlier with improvement in symptoms so im hoping the 20mph headwind is mostly all it is
 
I would bet its the wind and your speed. It takes exponentially more power to overcome the wind resistance the faster you go. If you are doing 70mph into a 20mph headwind your engine is essentially feeling 90mph of wind resistance. That 4.0 is working hard to maintain speed. Driving across the plains sucks no matter the vehicle. Its windy and boring as hell from KC MO all the way into Denver. Next you'll get mountains, a whole new dynamic, steep grades.

Lets hope. I guess driving the xj was like a washing machine box whereas this is like a fridge box. The problem seems to be that theres no power in OD. I can get up to 75mph in 4th easy but as soon as i shift it starts to slow down.
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You are right about the XJ vs TJ, the XJ is a bit more aerodynamic. Even if they are still shaped like a box. Slow down a little, it'll help.
 
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I thought maybe you were running into altitude in addition to the headwind but if you're still in Kansas that shouldn't be the case.

In college I drove from Laramie, WY (7,200') to Lincoln, NE (1,200') in a 5-speed Accord and I couldn't believe how much power it felt like I gained when I hit the lower elevations.
 
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EDRN said:
Good point. A brief peek under the hood didnt show any loose wiring, but ill check more in depth when i stop over in denver. I was able to draft off a semi earlier with improvement in symptoms so im hoping the 20mph headwind is mostly all it is
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Could also be the elevation change I live in Colorado and I always feels like I'm driving with a parachute
 
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Well these things do have the aerodynamics of a brick.
Would guess the wind is a lot of it .
I once drove an F100 with an 8 foot homemade slide in camper on it from Louisiana to Missoula Montana. At one point right outside of Billings I had the accelerator matted and could only muster 40mph. Wind was winning that battle.
 
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JEEP
 
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X2 on the catalytic converter- that was the first thing that came to mind
you can check on actual wind speeds and directions along your route, many aviation apps are free- search for METAR data at larger airports- they will report surface winds
 
I recently replaced my rear main seal and of course disconnected the downpipes and downstream o2 sensors to get the oil pan out. Everything went back in easy enough but who knows, maybe i fudged something in the process. Might try to rule that out before i start trying to chase down gremlins somewhere else. Its only got 62k mi on it so hopefully the cats themselves are still good for a few more miles but i guess stranger things have happened.

headed up toward bozeman tomorrow and across from there the next day so well see how it does in the wyo winds and mt/ id mountains

and it looks like ive also developed a rear passenger axle seal leak after the regear. Anyone know a good shop in the tacoma/ seattle area?
 
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