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Old 11-20-2011, 01:16 AM   #1 (permalink)
Mifunego
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: The People's Republic of Chicago
Posts: 70

The Taco - '99 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner
90 day: 19.29 mpg (US)
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Added an *actual* pickup to the fleet...

Yes, I know what I posted before about using the Mazda as my "pickup" with the HF trailer, but due to circumstances, I find myself driving a '99 2.7L auto Toyota Tacoma Prerunner fairly often these days. The 'speed3 may be leaving the stable, but we'll see. Regardless, I'm shifting my focus to improving the consumption level on the Taco. While it does have a mere 4 banger, it also has an automatic, tall 4x4 suspension, 265-75r15 tires, a 4.30 gear ratio, and the aerodynamic profile of an oven. I'll get to posting my gas logs soon enough; suffice it to say that I'm not satisfied with the 20mpg average. I've done a tune-up and the seafoam treatment, I drive with the proverbial egg under the gas pedal, and I am planning on a fan disconnect and grille block (I was too slow for the free ones during the last local election ). But those massive tires are already maxxed at the listed 35psi, and I am not spending the money on swapping out the suspension, or the diff gear. I'd love to get some skinny tires, but I have yet to see anything skinnier that what I have, that still maintain the overall diameter (decreasing that diameter of course would effectively raise the drive ratio, numerically. And that's bad.) A bed cover may be in the future, and I could also be inspired to follow the aerolid thread too.

Just wondering about a couple things: would an undercarriage cover help on a truck that is already on 4x4 stilts? And are there skinny/tall tires available somewhere? I haven't found any through the usual avenues. Seriously, 35 psi max? (yoko geolandar h/s)

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