Measure the valve clearence to see if it is right, I drive a 89 3.0 5 speed 4x4 PU and get at worst 15 and at best 25 mpg, you really just have to make sure everything is in proper working condition.

 

i know how u can get 26 mpg...drive at 70mph for 5 hours straight. Try it, it works

 

I have to second gwhayduke.

Do a thorough inspection of your vehicle. Tires, Filters, Brakes, etc. Look for things that could be slowing you down. Check for stored trouble codes in your ECM that may give you hints as to a malfunction. A bad O2 sensor will deffinately cripple fuel economy and make your vehicle run bad. Valve clearances are a pain to check and adjust on our motors, but are given away by alot of clattering comming from the valve cover areas. You can use a rubber hose as a stethoscope so you don't get confused by the fuel injector clicking.

I have a newly rebuilt motor (3vz-e) all stock, '92 4X4 pickup w/ 5 speed. My tires are inflated properly, my air filter is clean, and I get a bit over 18 on the highway and 15-16 in the city.

We live in a similar climate, so I think you should be able to expect the same. Seems like the 4Runners loose a bit of mileage because of the extra weight, and the older auto transmissions loose alot.

 

Synthetic Oil- the entire powertrain (Amsoil, Mobil 1)

Complete tuneup

Stock size highway tires

Manual Hubs

 

I find it quite interesting that out of all of the gas mileage threads that I've read, this is the first to have any comment regarding Manual Hubs. I haven't done this to my new 4Runner yet, but it seemed to help on my older one. It makes some sense, too, because you aren't turning all of your front axle, front diff, and front drive shaft. It should ease the wear and tear on all of those bearings, too. The kit around here in Phoenix is between $50 and $70. I just don't want to take my axles apart yet...

 

Update: This past week, I got 286 and 299 miles to the tank. I could have gotten a few more miles each time, but the next gas station was further than I thought I could make. I've been driving the same 120 mile RT route for over a year on these BFG's, and it is my opinion that the extra few pounds of air pressure has made the difference.

Brian

 

I use to own a '92 4Runner (22RE I4) w/the A.D.D. (automatic differential disconnect) that I had installed manual hubs on. Before the conversion, I got around 23 mpg, after around 26.

I also went a little further, where by, I replumbed the vacuum actuated A.D.D., such that the actuator was always locked, thus operating like a normal 4 wheel drive front axle, allowing much smoother shifting because everything is moving w/the hubs locked, including the drive shaft. The problem w/the A.D.D. system, at least w/the older vacuum operated one, was w/the lag between the actuator locking, allowing for the drivedhaft to turn, and the transfer case gears meshing.

 

I would start with a good tune up....Use brand name gas (i've had trouble and constantly get low mpg with costco gas)....easy on the gas.....

its weird though...if I take it easy on the gas i can easily get 330-350 miles per tank constantly.....i guess i got a freak....

 

I understand all the posts with people complaining about crappy gas mileage...however, I think some are more legit than others. Someone getting 15 + miles to the gallon driving a 4 runner really does not have a big problem...I WISH I could get that kind of mileage, however someone getting 11-12 mpg driving a stock runner I think has a bit more of an issue.

Perhaps we should devote a forum to this issue since it is such a big issue, and in many cases a legitamate one as well...I mean what is this board for if not ultimately to help us all get the most out of the machines we love... and I guess sometimes hate!

 

replace your A.D.D. (automatic differential disconnect) with manuel locking hubs, that will give you a considerable increase in gas milage.

 

I have three things that have helped me some, other than Winter ending.

1: I have my clutch in whenever possible, such as decelerating, coasting, downhill, etc. This will catch up with me if I'm not careful to push all the way in.
2: 40 lbs all around. Little rough, but it helps.
3: Cruise control.

I've been consistantly getting 315 (plus or minus 10) miles per tank, as opposed to 285 last summer.


'93 3.0, 31" tires, K&N Drop-in.

 

its been awhile since ive done regular freeway commuting, but this week i got 20.1 mpg. i haven't gotten that kind of mileage on my 4runner in a long time. in the past 2 yrs or so, most of my driving has been short city driving trips with some occassional long drives. avg 17mpg.

my commute is exactly 80 miles round trip to work. about less than 6 miles of it is surface streets. according to my gps, the avg speed ive been driving is about 40 mph. not bad for LA!

here are my specs/relevant info re maintenance:

- 32" tires (revos)
- 5 speed
- 87 octane
- amsoil 5w-30 oil using a permacool oil relocator kit
- large size amsoil oil filter
- previous treatment with auto-rx
- changed 02 sensors about 10k ago
- tires inflated to 39 psi (cold)
- nothing heavy in the vehicle

and no WOT driving!

if anything guys, its probably because i've been light on the pedal, inflated the tires on the high side, and cruising at a constant speed (when i can) has imrpoved my mpg. not the amsoil, not the autorx, not the 02 (this mightve helped).

i've been pretty good w/ the other maintenance items like spark plugs, greasing the driveline, etc. who knows, in aggregate, maybe thats why i got the better mileage.

i'm gonna try some other things too:

- remove roof rack
- inflate tires to 40psi (cold)

bob

 

Remove the roof racks - good idea.
I wouldn't have thought of the manual hubs because...I already have them, I just keep them unlocked.
Keep the lead foot off the pedals - Starting AND stopping. If you can keep your truck rolling instead of coming to a complete stop, you are ahead of the game.

I started out tinkering with my 88 4runner (we got that one for a reason) with around 13.5-14 mpg average. Since mid March I have....

1. Adjusted valves
2. Changed fluids from front to rear. The truck had 163,000 miles on it. The tranny and rear differential showed it.
3. Changed fuel filter. Not sure when it was installed, just wanted to remove that restriction in the system. It's a preventative thing.
4. Tire pressure...Put in 36 PSI in the front and 33 in the rear. I have truck C-rated tires. How did I come up with those pressures? I used paint stick and marked the face of my tires. I then drove it until I could see where the paint was wearing off. On the edges, lower your pressure. In the middle raise your pressure. Across the whole face. You got it right.
5. BALANCE your tires. I use a product called Equal in mine. It automatically adjusts the balance. No more thrown lead.
6. Someone went in and messed with the MAF sensor. 4 tanks latter and I ended up settling on moving it 6 notches lean on the gear to get it right. No hesitations, no heavy fuel smell.
7. Pulled, cleaned, repacked and PROPERLY, with a 54MM socket, adjusted my from wheel bearings.

Now that I have done this my mileage is up to 18.5-19 MPG. early April, I pulled the boat home from my parents, 190 miles on the interstate. At 65 in 5th gear, we got 19.3 MPG. The hardest thing I have had to do is get the wife to realize she doesn't have to drive over 2800 RPM and she doesn't have to rev it to 2500 to get it started.

So far its about a 37% increase in mileage...and all I did was some basic maintenance.

 

Hmmm....hey guys....havent been here in a while, just checking up on whats going on and to reply to this gas mileage question...haha. A year ago I had to trade in my 4runner because of the mileage, and there were things going wrong with it and didnt want to have to bother with fixing them. I got a Honda CR-V....haha...yes i know...laugh, but but I do get damn good mileage with my lead foot....average about 23mpg. My 4runner was getting about 9-10mpg IF I WAS LUCKY!! But everybody who said if you drive a "true" SUV then you gotta take what comes with it, which is less than average gas mileage. If you want something that has an SUV shape with good mileage that really is just a SUV knock-off of a civic....get a CR-V and quit bitchin. But I also understand the feeling of having a 4runner also....its just SOOO great....but until gas prices go down significantly or I get a huge ass raise no 4runner for me....

Shoorty911