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Why does the Sport model need fender close outs to get same milage as many other models?

mdkautzman

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Just curious why Sport models are the only models which get the fender closeouts.
Same milage?

How bad will the milage drop removing them?
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jludave

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How bad will the milage drop removing them?
It won’t. I’ve had mine removed for over a year. I didn’t noticed any difference in mileage in the mixed city and highway driving I do.
 

Oldbear

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I replaced mine with Rockhard aluminum (full width) front and rear and added a winch. No difference in mpg’s before and after.
 

four low

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The close- outs are a " pedestrian safety " mandate for certain markets . I kept mine intact because they stop mud and debris from being flung out the gap, and they deflect brush, branches from the brake hoses and sensor wires .
Particularly helpful in the snow/ slush / ice season in Upstate NY
 

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The Last Cowboy

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I trimmed mine so I still had the covered part over the back of fog lights. No difference in MPG. Big difference it looks.

Jeep Wrangler JL Why does the Sport model need fender close outs to get same milage as many other models? 7D32B24D-E73C-408C-B3D1-8241EDAB9064
Jeep Wrangler JL Why does the Sport model need fender close outs to get same milage as many other models? 268D6ED3-BF5C-44C3-9AE5-BCD4D4CD29CD
 
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Baconator

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Waste of plastic. Remove it and the big slab of plastic known as the front lower air dam.
 

four low

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But... That " big slab of plastic " reduces turbulent air flow, and for those of us who drive in snowy conditions, it keeps the engine compartment from getting packed with snow
 

blnewt

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But... That " big slab of plastic " reduces turbulent air flow, and for those of us who drive in snowy conditions, it keeps the engine compartment from getting packed with snow
The worst part about removing them is the countless little screws holding them in. If I didn't have a new bumper installed I would never attempt to remove them, it's a real PITA IMO.
 

Kevin32199

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I trimmed mine so I still had the covered part over the back of fog lights. No difference in MPG. Big difference it looks.

Jeep Wrangler JL Why does the Sport model need fender close outs to get same milage as many other models? 268D6ED3-BF5C-44C3-9AE5-BCD4D4CD29CD
Jeep Wrangler JL Why does the Sport model need fender close outs to get same milage as many other models? 268D6ED3-BF5C-44C3-9AE5-BCD4D4CD29CD
I love how you did this. Im in the process now on my 18 2 door with quadratec 2.5 in lift. Did you run into these bolts being missing? The sport bumper is very loose on the ends. I ended up tapping and using 1/2 in x 13 x 1 bolts. See pics.

PXL_20210627_155428045.jpg


PXL_20210627_155320775.jpg


PXL_20210627_155240992.MP.jpg
 

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The Last Cowboy

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I didn't remove the bumper, just the euro pieces. I trimmed them and then put them back on after I was satisfied with the cut.
 

Kevin32199

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I didn't remove the bumper, just the euro pieces. I trimmed them and then put them back on after I was satisfied with the cut.
I didnt remove the bumper either. Just noticed how loose, front to back, the bumper ends were and fixed it. If you grab your front bumper ends and pull towards the front and then back, are they loose? I didnt notice until I got in there. and started moving things around. They were definitely loose AF until I put these bolts in. I did all the work with bumper on the Jeep.
 

TXRubicon

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To answer your original question about mileage numbers, all the other models like Sahara and Rubicon get their EPA /CAFE #s from whatever the Sport is. Each model is not tested separately. Jeep certified these with the Sport model so wanted to get the highest number possible. This is a bit of an oversimplified answer, but that's why. I wish my Rubicon was able to get Sport #s lol
 

Chupacabra

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I cut mine out about 3 months ago. Did not notice any drop in MPG or more noise or any ill effect. Think it looks so much better without those stupid things.
 

Dgr401

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I cut mine out about 3 months ago. Did not notice any drop in MPG or more noise or any ill effect. Think it looks so much better without those stupid things.
What did you use to cut them? I am thinking of cutting mine and trying to decide what type of tool would do the best job. My thoughts are dremel with cut-off, snips and small hack saw? Any thoughts? Thanks.
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