Hello from NJ!

[elhigh]

I don't know if you could find low rolling resistance (LRR) tires suitable for what you want in your 4Runner. It isn't a bad idea, but you say you do go off road once in a while. LRR probably won't shine off the pavement, and it can be quite a buzzkill to have to switch in a different set of wheels before you can go play.

Ecomodder member Christofoo built an ersatz boattail box to ride in the hitch of his Honda. I don't remember how well it does at improving his mileage, but you can imagine that a well-designed box would permit you to carry gear outside the vehicle envelope without hitting you in the wallet at fuel fills.

What Ultarc had to offer about the belly pan is right on: there's a lot of daylight under a stock 4Runner, if yours is lifted at all (don't let yoyoyoda find out) there's even more, and a bellypan will probably pay much better dividends than a dam. If you don't ever scrape your underside on the trail then you won't have to worry about bits coming loose or being damaged.

You might want to seriously consider moving your spare up into the bed. That'll make the bellypan a lot easier, not to mention smoother.

[sarguy01]

Originally Posted by elhigh

I don't know if you could find low rolling resistance (LRR) tires suitable for what you want in your 4Runner. It isn't a bad idea, but you say you do go off road once in a while. LRR probably won't shine off the pavement, and it can be quite a buzzkill to have to switch in a different set of wheels before you can go play.

Valid. If off-roading is something that is done, a set of LRR might not be the tire to buy. I think sand would be okay; I've never gotten suck in sand with a set of regular tires on a 4x4. I did get stuck in sand very quickly with a set of mud tires. They were very good at moving the sand from under the tire to behind the tire instead of rolling the truck forward. But, if there is mud involved, I don't think there is an LRR that can compete with true off road tires.

Then again, if this is a wheeling vehicle, it might not hurt to have a set of off-road tires. For example, a set of Super Swampers would really increase the ability of most trucks, but they wear quickly and are expensive. It might be a better idea to commute with the LRR's and then swap on the Swampers for a day in the mud.

I knew/know guys who "off road" in their Jeeps and lifted trucks. They waste so much money because they commute on Swamper Boggers, Thornbirds, etc. Some of them don't even off road; they just want the look. A new set of tires every year (or less) adds up.

[MetroMPG]

Welcome to the forum, Joe.

Originally Posted by Electra225

I do not have a [fuel economy gauge], but I do have a device that plugs into the OBDII port and tells me the engine's RPM, fuel pressure, air/fuel ratio and other things.

Does anyone else have any suggestions for me?

Yes: fix the above-mentioned item.

Your biggest savings and best bang for the buck will come from MPG instrumentation that you use to fine tune your driving. Don't underestimate the power of instant feedback. Get some kind of MPG gauge & start playing the "beat my high score" game.