Just bought a 92 4runner a few weeks ago and after 2 fills im getting about 11.3 mpg. Did some searching and found a few say that it's pretty normal but im pretty sure it should be closer to 20ish from what im told by friends and family who have owned similar vehicles.

No vacuum leaks that i could find. Tried some sea foam in the gas tank and the vacuum hose thing to clean out the system but have yet to find a smoking gun. Local mechanic said to check the mass airflow sensor but from what i just found on this site, the 92 doesnt have one, it has something different.

being 16 a near broke it's hard to afford 11 mpg. Any clues?

 

is it stock? we need more information... 5 speed or auto? you'd be surprised how much a lighter foot can really improve MPgs

I get 13 mpg in my 4Runner.

 

new radiator and head gaskets but thats about it. It's an auto. I dont hot rod it either, generally pretty light on the pedal.

 

Well a 5 speed gets better MPGs than an auto. what size tires? what gears? miles? is your OD off on? lol theres lots of factors.

 

200 k miles, normal size tires. gear unknown

 

hmm not sure what to tell ya then. 3.0 isn't exactly fuel efficient.

 

thanks, just go with it for now i guess.

 

considering doing a tune up....new plugs, air filter, fuel filter, etc....might help a bit...then check timing

 

dam 11 ? the tundra gets 14 with almost a 35'' tire

 

I got 17.2 highway out of my 92, with 33's km2's and some armor/bumper.

In town maybe 15. 5Spd as well.

 

O2 sensor has a pretty big effect on gas mileage. That's the first place I look. With that said, 13mpg is about what Toyota said it would get new.

I'd start by testing the O2 sensor and replace it with Denso/NGK if necessary. Also check plugs/wires, cap/rotor, air filter, etc. etc.. OEM sensors and ignition parts work best on these trucks.

Edit - forgot to put a x2 on timing. Most guys run 12-14 BTDC. Be sure to short E1-TE1 when checking and changing timing.

 

All trucks are different. I get about 15-16 in my 92 pick-up. My brother gets about 14 with a new engine in his 90 4runner. I changed my fuel filter and lost an mpg Put a cold air intake on it and nothing changed. 3.0's aren't that great haha.

 

BMcEL is dead on I think...

O2 sensor will be your best bet I would think; good chance it's never been done! lifespan is around 75k or so on these for best performance. I went from 16 to 20mpg with just a new O2 sensor (just the pre-cat one btw), back down to 18 or so now. Go with Denso over anything else; URD sells 'em pretty reasonable but Amazon.com might do you good also.

and then of course there's alcohol injection... but you need to get closer than 11mpg before you try to 'fix' with alcohol/meth injection. (not that it will hurt)

test the VAFM, plugs/wires, etc... compression test, balance test, whatever you can. But I would bet money an O2 sensor will easily pick you up 2 or more mpg's, takes all of 20 min to replace, cost is around $75 maybe.

 

im kinda on the same boat as he is being 17 and working at ups 11mpg isnt easy.. but wheni got the truck i was getting 225 from full tank now its around 170 for full tank replaced fuel pump/filter and air filter checked plugs they still got alot of life left..
ussauly half throttle other than up hills..

1993 p/u 3.0 5 speed extra cab 4.10 gears

 

4wd i assume? If you have the add diff try replacing your always locked hubs with some lockouts. That should give you a mpg or 2... oh and check tire pressure

 

Check the codes. An engine coolant temp sensor will kill your mpg.

 

oh forgot to add auto lock in hubs.. and pulled codes there was nothing

 

4.10 gears, ouch. I have 4.56 in my 5 speed and it can barely get out of it's own stink...

 

the 4.10 aint that bad i had 4.30 but rearend went so i had to put my spear rearend in till i rebuild my 430s but town driving is hard with 410s but highway they are pretty nice being at 3 grand at 70 then 3600 at 70 with 430s

 

x3 on O2 sensor; biggest & most common of mpg killers. After that, vacuum leak. There are MILES of vacuum hose on the 3VZE. Check with an unlit propane gas torch while the engine is running; when you get near a leak, it will idle up slightly. It took me 2 years to find a hole underneath one of my VSV hoses...