I drive a 2005 wrangler unlimited rubicon, I just got it and it is consuming a ton of gas even considering the lift kit and 35‘s. The light on the axle lock is broken and after asking around to jeep Buddies of mine I realized it was on for about 200 or so miles, I have since turned it off, but was this why I was gettin the terrible gas mileage?? Thanks
Yes, you would notice a difference in driving in 4 wheel drive, compared to two wheel drive. You would also know whether it was in four wheel drive or not (depending on if you have a full time or part time 4wd system) in which it looks like you do and the handling would be quite different. You would feel wheel hop and/or tire scrub mostly when turning because with the front and rear axles locked (part time 4wd) all four tires are moving at the same speed which when turning would make some tries scrub and fell like a hop because when you turn not all the wheels are moving at the same speed normal, unless the axles are locked together.
That kind of falls into the category of one of those things you might should looked into before buying a Jeep. The Rubicon comes with a lower gear ratio, 4.01 or 4.11 I think that hurts on the gas. The lift causes more aerodynamic drag and the 35's are just plain harder to move. I doubt the lockers hurt the mileage that much. I would not expect the mileage to ever get any better without making some serious changes. I have a 2000 TJ and get about 16 on average without any lifts, running 31's and a 3.73 differentials.
Locked axle would affect the handling, I doubt it would have much of an impact on mileage though.
