i have a 1988 4 runner with a 22re engine show no apparent engine problem new tune up new o2 sensor and checked timing .also im running an auto trans with 31x10.50 tire only getting 12 miles to the gallon going to switch to 4.10 gears and get rid of the 3.73 ratios.does any one know of any thing else that would help out out im in left field on this one

 

Check your plugs and wires. I also recomend a cone filter upgrade.

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but you can't have 3.73 in an 88 Runner. You should already have 4.10s in it. I don't think 3.73s were offered in any of the 1st or 2nd gens. Not enough motor to pull it anyway You should be getting almost twice the MPG though. Oh..just read you have an auto, then you should have either 4.56s or 4.88s. Again, not positive. Someone will chime in...

 

My '85 4Runner with a 22R-E and a 5-speed manual only got 14 mpg. The best thing you could do for milage would be to go back to your stock tire size. I had 31"s on my '91 4Runner V6 and when I went back to the stock tire size (P23575R15) I gained 2 mpg.
You are asking a lot of that engine to turn those 31s, you cant expect it to pull 20 mpg like that.
Also, the others are right, the automatics got 4.56 gears. They needed it because in those days the automatics took a lot of power away from the engine so they needed the lower gears to be able to match the acceleration of the manuals.
Seriously though, get rid of the 31s and your milage will improve.
Cap'n

 

Be happy, I'm lucky if I get 10 mpg. Then again the 3.Slow wasn't meant to spin the 33's. When I had a 22R with stock setup the best it would do was 16 mpg.

 

Mine gets better than 20 mpg most times. 31's, 4.56 gears, 5 speed.

 

i would get the K&N FIPK cold air intake that helps a lot with gas mileage you'll gain 2-3 more miles to the gallon easily. Getting a new exhaust like a flowmaster of any series will also help gas mileage as well as adding power. Ummm thats pretty much it good luck.

 

There must be something else wrong. With 31's you should be able to get at least 16-17 mpg. Are you sure your timing chain and guides are in good shape and not broken causing erratic timing? Did you do plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, air filter, clean the throttle body, clean the MAF, etc.? Lastly I would check the catalytic converter, it might be getting clogged pretty bad. I'm getting 18.5 mpg average with my 88 4Runner with 3.0 V6, 5 speed and 32's. And I think your 4Runner probably has the 4.30 gears with the automatic so no need to worry about doing gears. Are your hubs stuck in the locked position or are your brakes sticking?

 

Check your brakes for dragging (like said above). I found my ebrake mechanism was not releasing fully, even though the cable was slack. The brakes were draggin on the drum, ever so slightly but enough to cause problems. Pull the drums and clean up everything that is rusted or sticking. Check your front brakes also and see if your wheel bearings are good and have lenty of grease. I only am getting aroung 16mpg with a 5spd and 31's. I plan on going back to stock tires if I don't pick up a car for a DD.

 

have you corrected for non-stock tire size when figuring your mileage? it might not be as bad as you think.

having larger tires throws off your odometer. you should check your odometer against some mile markers on an interstate.

for example, with 30" tires and everything else stock, if i drive for 100 miles, my odometer will tell me that i have only driven 95 miles. that's enough to throw off my mileage by 1 to 2 mpg if i calculate it based on the odometer without correction.

your tires are bigger, so your odometer is likely off more than mine.