Hybrid parts on a PPV

[IDLife PPV]

I recently bought a 2009 PPV and after doing a lot of E-Searching have found the Highway MPGs of the Hybrid are due mostly by the aerodynamic advantages.

I am wondering if anyone has made the swap to add the parts like the hood, bumpers, running boards and rear hatch with D-Pillars/Tail-Lamps to see an increase of MPGs?

My main use for the PPV will be highway travel.

THANKS for any pertinent input!

 

[NathanJax]

Here they are talking about the front...

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65825

and here's a little about the rear

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44874

 

[fiatdale]

I think the amount you would end up paying for the new parts / paint, would take quite a while to make up in fuel savings.

 

[IDLife PPV]

I understand the fuel savings will hardly ever cover the cost but I am also looking for higher speed stability since a lot of my driving is all freeway miles. Of course, adding a turbo to this engine is in the plans too... so we shall see if the lighter parts also play a part.

I think the weight savings of the aluminum hood & tailgate alone will make a dramatic difference in just handling... and it must have since the 2015 models now come stock with these lighter parts.

 

[fiatdale]

High speed stability - add some beefier sway bars, and lower it. That will give you your stability. I don't think adding the hood and lift gate will improve your handling. It may help with 1 mpg increase.

Also, whatever wheels and tires you choose also have a significant effect on stability.

 

[soulsea]

I am wondering if anyone has made the swap to add the parts like the hood, bumpers, running boards and rear hatch with D-Pillars/Tail-Lamps to see an increase of MPGs?

In order to get all the hybrid aero components you would need to swap: Front bumper assy, hood, rear liftgate, rear bumper, rear spoiler, running boards, fender/qp moldings, D pillar appliqués, new tail light and harness modification, wheels/tires ... if you're doing it on the PPV the only advantage is that you wouldn't have to delete the roof rack. With paint you're looking at around $5k, and you would also lose spare tire functionality unless you were willing to drill a hoist access hole in your new hybrid bumper. Changing just one thing will not do it as all of the aero componenets work in unison.

The areo package of the hybrid provides some mpg advantages at highway speed but certainly not most as you stated. Overall fuel economy is a result of the combination of weight savings, aero, but most of all its 2 mode hybrid engine.

Think of it this way, during the years that GM made the Hybrids they stated the same mpgs for the Tahoe and base Yukon Hybrid as they did fior the Denali and Escalade hybrids. The former had the aero kits and the latter looked exactly like their non hybrid counterparts. So according to GM the aero kit made zero difference in overall mpg.

If you like the look by all means go for it, but if you're doing it for mpg savings or for stability then doing this expensive conversion is going to achieve little compared to what you have now.

 

[okfoz]

Looking at the pictures, I just do not think there would be a significant advantage with the bumper, hood & stuff...

You can free up more aero by removing the roof rack, and the steps if you have them... A clean shape will help at 60+ Mph...

If you are really pressed on saving gas, do what I do... Drive 60mph on the highway. take 1/3 miles to roll to stops, my tahoe will roll and roll. Acclerate slowly... The proverbial, drive like you do not have brakes...

This will do more than save gas, it will save your brake pads & Rotors, saves a ton on wear and tear really...

Using GAS, I can easily achieve 18 - 18.5 mpg. A good week I can get as much as 19.5mpg.
Using E85 I am at 16 mpg average. Really since E85 was $.80 less (got it at $2.22) when gas was 3.02, it paid for itself this time around, I will have more data later as I drive some more with E85.

John

 

[fiatdale]

If its MPG you're looking for... really, you bought the wrong vehicle. Do a gear swap if you want MPG.

 

[soulsea]

If its MPG you're looking for... really, you bought the wrong vehicle. Do a gear swap if you want MPG.

Or just trade it in for a Hybrid ... whatever he'd lose on a trade will be less than trying to do this conversion, and he'll have the Hybrid engine which accounts for most of the fuel savings.

 

[evoalex]

I wanted to do the switch for cosmetic reasons, but it's proving to be quite costly.