How to get better MPG in a toyota 4runner

[Mentalic]

Just found this site, this will be my first post here. I'm glad to see other 4-runners as well. I've done a bunch of things to mine and have been creeping up the FE over the last year since getting a scangauge.

Mine is a 2002 2wd V6 so its a bit lighter. Its the smallest vehicle I could find that could carry 4 peeps and tow my boat. Before the scan gauge the best I ever managed was 23 and I thought getting any more was near impossible.. My last tank was 26.77 but my goal is 30mpg!! If I did not have to cross a 250ft high bridge in my daily 12mile one way commute to work my average would be much better...

So far this is what I have done to mine:

Removed the very long air intake snorkel.
Mobile synthetic oil in engine, transmission and differential.
NGK Iridium plugs.
Optima battery.
Disconnected daytime running lights.
Michelin tires at 36psi.
Removed roof rack.
Lower Grill Block.
Sealed off the holes in the wall behind the grill.
Covered about 80% of the under carriage with signboard
Removed rear spoiler


Ive tried some things that did not help too.. Like an electric radiator fan, went back to the fan clutch...

[2003protege]

Is 36 your max sidewall? Seems a bit low for such a (relative to cars) heavy vehicle.

[trikkonceptz]

Originally Posted by dsq

My wife has a 1991 4runner v6,auto,4wd,with 31' tires.

I know 31" tires were not factory. Would you consider buying factory rims tires for the 4-runner? I know these jap bricks aren't meant for FE, but every little bit helps. Roof rack delete would be a smart start unless you use it. And if city driving is your use, then consider running half a tank of gas. My 4-runner has a 24 gallon tank, 12 gallons of gas may not seem like much, but anything helps.

Running sidewall max on the 4-runner has helped this thing glide like an ice skater, so best bet is get the wifey to practice techniques, I know the hassles, I'm trying to get the wife to do the same.

Good Luck

[Mentalic]

Originally Posted by 2003protege

Is 36 your max sidewall? Seems a bit low for such a (relative to cars) heavy vehicle.

The tires are BIG, in fact way to big for the truck imho. There max sidewall is 35psig.

[Red]

Originally Posted by Mentalic

The tires are BIG, in fact way to big for the truck imho. There max sidewall is 35psig.

They are probably Ps instead of LTs. Welcome back Mentalic

[Mentalic]

Originally Posted by Red

They are probably Ps instead of LTs. Welcome back Mentalic

Just checked there P26570R16 so yep your spot on.

Lol, I was not sure I was ever reg'd on this site, but its very good. Thanks!

Originally Posted by trikkonceptz

I know 31" tires were not factory. Would you consider buying factory rims tires for the 4-runner? I know these jap bricks aren't meant for FE, but every little bit helps. Roof rack delete would be a smart start unless you use it. And if city driving is your use, then consider running half a tank of gas. My 4-runner has a 24 gallon tank, 12 gallons of gas may not seem like much, but anything helps.

Running sidewall max on the 4-runner has helped this thing glide like an ice skater, so best bet is get the wifey to practice techniques, I know the hassles, I'm trying to get the wife to do the same.

Good Luck

My understanding of running bigger than stock wheels/tires, is that it changes the speedo/odo, showing less or more miles than you've actually traveled, I don't think it changes the fuel consumption, you're just calculating fuel efficiency with a distorted benchmark.

[trikkonceptz]

Well as an update on the 4-runner.

-Roof rack delete is not feasable. once removed the exposed holes will leak into the cab, so I eneded up removing the cross bars instead.
-I trimmed the mudflaps in the rear and removed the front ones.
-Grille blocking did nothing for the FE over 2 tanks so I gave up.

-In my case 8cyl, I have found that moderate acceleration to 40mph (not exceeding 2K rpm) consumes less fuel than slowly getting up there.
-City speeds they glide well so we now do straight line EOC, because without PS it is a bear to turn.
-We shut it down at stop lights
-60mph on the hwy (religiously)
-55 psi in all tires

These changes have put me on a consistent 21mpg around the city and 28mpg hwy, sometimes higher depending on wind.

Hope this helps