I am trying to get 20 mpg in the 98 4runner while towing the super jet and the blaster. I think if we are driving the speed limit (60) I think we can pull it off.

today I changed the oil to mobil 1 with a pure one filter. and I did THIS and THIS. So hopefully that with a light foot it will get me where I want to be. If not maybe a larger exhaust pipe will help. I have already ran 3 cans of seafoam through it, cleaned the maf sensor, ditched the gill guard and I cleaned the throttle body.

 

you might if you keep your foot out of it

 

Sorry to disappoint you, but 20mpg isn't going to happen even without towing. Unless, of course, you'll be going downhill with an engine turned off...

 

Like said above, unless you're coasting downhill, or install a hybrid set up, no way you will get 20MPG. Simply, much of it has to do with the weight. You are pulling ~1000 more pounds. Unless you shed a ton of weight from the 4Runner itself, you will not get 20MPG. Cannot defy physics.

 

I have talked to several people who are getting 21-22 from there auto 3.4. I just want to get 20 mpg on the highway. It is a straight shot from the lake for us.

 

Those 4.30 gears are what is killing you...get some 4.10's or I heard the 3.91 will and won't fit out of the Tacoma so might try finding info on those too...

I can barely get 22-23mpg with my 4.10's and 4 guys in the interior going skiing...and thats totally OEM stock w/5spd 5vzfe v6...

 

Why would 4.30 gears matter? 4.10 and 4.30 have both reported virtually the same MPG's. In fact, if you're towing, you'd probably get better MPG's out of the 4.3's.

I believe all stock 3.4L's get ~21MPG on the highway. That's what I get. If you want to keep it at 20MPG, you cannot be towing 1000lbs. There is no way around it. You will be down in the ~16-17MPG range. If you want 20MPG, tow less (or none at all). If there was a way to accomplish this, we would've figured it out by now (and I mean in a cheap, simple way).

It's like those questions that come up about "how to get 25-30MPG?" Virtually impossible without major modifications (and I mean MAJOR). Figure out a way to get 25-30MPG's out of the 4Runner, and I'll show you how to get 20MPG towing 1000lbs.

 

Your gearing is fine. I would get an air dam for the trailer--that would help a ton with drag. I think if you get the 4Runner in perfect tune and air up the tires to max rating and slow to below 60, it can be done.

 

yeah thanks I almost forgot about the tires. I think they can go up to 45. I will do that.

 

It seems when I use Seafoam...I usually get a little better mileage.... like 22-23mpg.....highway

 

I am guessing you have an auto? Getting 20 + mpg when not towing is common. Here is my question... dont you turn off your OD when towing? Seems like it would be a lot of wear on the trans to leave the OD on while towing. I always have mine off when towing anything.

 

got 23 in my taco, towing 1300 across utah with 4.10's, i'm gonna regear to 4.88 for the next trip though.

 

Sounds like you've got all your bases covered. Dont know if it was mentioned before but, clean your air filter as well... I think thats everything easily done to improve MPG's

 

Nice Blaster. I have one just like it. What year is yours?

 

I don't understand how you folks are getting this kind of mileage out of your trucks and Runners. My 97, bone stock, is barely getting better than 16 mixed driving. Highway I have only gotten 17.5.

 

you have any work done to your superjet?

 

I live in Utah and I can't even manage 23MPG in an empty truck, unless I am 100% on the highway going 65MPH. Sorry, but gotta call BS. Maybe you were going downhill for the majority of time.

I think you need to do some maintenance and cleaning. Shouldn't have any problems getting 20+ on the highway. My 98 4Runner with a supercharger got 20MPG on the highway.

 

I find that i get around 17 towing on the frewaay with a 1k utility trailer( 8' long 5' wide by 3' high) I live with that. I use overdrive when towing such a light load. When I tow my FJ40 I get about 15.5 witch is still better than driving the 40 by 7mpg!!! the cruiser weighs in at 3980lbs with out fuel. I don't use overdrive at all when towing the fj40, I find that I am lugging the motor to much even with the S/C. I stay out of 5th on the down hills as well the help keep it all slowed down.

 

You know, I keep that thing real clean. The engine runs very well. New plugs that are gapped right, Sea Foam through the intake and in the tank, air filter cleaned every 5K, cleaned PCV valve, lubed drive shafts, new rear brakes (no dragging)...I need to do some transmission maintenance. I am going to do a home flush here in the next few weeks as I am positive it has never been done. Also going to do some shift solenoid work while I am in there.

 

I get 23-25 mpg on the highway if going 55-60. As soon as I get up to 75 to 85 on I-95 though, it drops to 20 mpg. A 5 mpg difference due to the added drag between 60 and 80 makes me think that the added drag from towing (not to mention the added load) will make your goal pretty unachievable. Good luck though. I'm a v6 5speed with 4.10s by the way.