Okay. I'm getting 14.5-15MPG if I milk it. Stock I got about 17-17.5 if I milked it. Maybe its worth looking into.

 

If you have an auto get 4.88's and not 4.56's. The difference will be around 150rpm on the freeway between the 2. If anything, I think that would help mpg and not hurt it.

 

Personally I wouldn't consider regearing strictly for MPG purposes. If you figure $1000 for regearing (including labor and misc parts) that would buy a lot of gas if you're looking for a 2 MPG increase.

But the performance benefits to regearing justified the cost for me.

 

True, the performance makes it worth it. But 2mpg on a road trip to Alaska makes a big difference. Not just the money but the range. That's about a 15% difference going from 14 to 16 mpg. It adds up.

I bought my 4runner because I wouldn't be happy with 14mpg. That's kinda sad. Might as well buy an FJ80 or a fullsize if that's all you get.

 

Does it take specialized tools like a press to regear? Has anyone DIY'ed it?

 

Look at Zuk's site to what it involves.

 

X2. anyone can DIY it...whether or not it'll blow up 100 miles down the road is a different story...

i didnt regear when i went to 285's. i was on 4.30's though. then i went 315's. there was a bigger difference going stock to 285's than going 285's to 315's...it just sucked more. then i went to 4.88's. much better. labour is about 3.5 hrs per end..thats if you pull the third out and bring it in. add a few more hours if they do it for you. you can get full regear kits for about 6 or so bills...master install kits included.

stay with alloys if youre not planning on regearing...steelies will also be heavier and thus slower...and every little bit helps.

 

quote of the day there

 

By "Fine" I mean, Good, Super, Almost Pre-285s. Getting on and off the freeway is not a problem. I'm not passing folks left and right, but it runs Fine...

Someone mentioned the Speedometer being affected...that is true...

 

I got 285s last year. My 4Runner is a 2002 with a supercharger and TRD cat back. I did notice a little lag when I first got the tires put on but now it fels normal to me. I use OD lockout on hills and mountain driving and I use the ECT Power button around town and in the mountains. MPG went down a little but he spedo is off so I don't know how much exactly. I air up a bit more when I'm street driving only.
The main problem I have is keeping the damn things ballanced!! The shaking is driving me nuts!

 

It might be the tires. I got my Nitto's (285's) and they balanced out perfectly...0.00's across the board. They are really smooth on the interstate without any shake or wobble.

What kind of tires are you running?

 

You may have warped rotors. That's been an issue before.

 

I got the same tires as you do