manual vs. automatic
 

Just wondering if the guys with 5spds are getting better mpg than the guys with autos. does any one know what the gearing is for each and what the final drive ratio is?

Im pretty sure my rear end is 410 gears in my 00 sport 5 speed.

i've had my truck about a year and a half now, and have never got less than 20 mpg. my highest was about 24 and my average lately after the supercharger is sitting right at 22. (and no, I dont drive like a grandma, or racecar a$$hole either)

if I would have read all the terrible gas mileage reports from some people I would have strongly reconsidered selling my 87 with the 22re.

I think the high altitude and therefore lack of wind resistance is what nets me better mileage. although I wouldnt have thought the charger would have helped my mileage :hillbill:

In my opinion the 3.4 with the 5speed or auto is fine. If your going with the 2.7 go manual.

In my 4runner i have the 2.7l 5speed and 4.56 and i get 20-23 mpg

My gears are the 4.56 with my 2.7 and 31" tires and auto tranny with 90,000+ miles and I'm getting 22-23 on highway and 19-20 off road in the mountains and rough areas with 4x4 and 20-21 in normal town driving in these mountains. As or one being better than another off or on road you can't prove it by me and I have had both over the years many times. Mike

I tow around 1000 pounds at least once a week during the summer so I will be getting the 3.4.

My '96 5sp gets anywhere from 20-22mpg for mixed city/highway with the a/c on part of the time.

Actually the explanation I have heard about higher elevation getting better gas mileage was due to the lack of oxygen, and thus the computer will compensate by putting in less gas, so it's somewhat of a restrictor system, so at wide-open-throttle for example mine wouldn't be pumping in as much fuel as a sea-level wide-open-throttle 4runner. Don't know if that's true, but makes sense, and every vehicle I've seen gets better gas mileage at higher elevations...now climbing to those elevations will suck some gas.. :D