So I bought my newer 4runner and instantly realized that the huge tires, v6 etc... could do to my mpg. My 4 banger is just as gutless on hills, and I get about 100 miles more per tank. I am getting slightly smaller tires and thinking about switching to manual hubs.

Can anybody give me any numbers for mpg increase after a manual conversion swap?

Forgive a Yotatech newbie.

 

I cannot honestly attest to the MPG increase. I actually had a decrease but I did sparkplugs at the same time.

 

IMO, you wouldn't be money ahead for several years with the cost of the swap, the tires would probably give you better mpg then the manual hub swap anyway.

 

Best remedy for 4Runner gas mileage is... throw roller skates on the wheels, take all interiors out leaving only the driver's seat. Get rid of spare tire, chop the rear top off, remove front and rear bumpers, remove step rails, remove engine and transmission and push it everywhere you go.

In all seriousness you aren't going to get the best MPGs out of this vehicle. You can help by removing unnecessary weight (tools,cargos, roofracs, etc.), avoid jack rabbit starts at redlights, pretend there is an egg on the accelerator, properly inflated tire pressures, and tune ups. You might as well face it though, even with all of the above you aren't going to be driving a Prius but you can squeeze the most out of it possible. Either get used to it or have a second vehicle for MPGs. Not trying to be an a-hole but you have to remember it's an SUV. A lot of us on here have done modifications such as larger tires, roof racks, and heavy bumpers but we realize the trade-offs and have to live with it or with out it.

 

I switched to manual hubs and gained 2 mpg, but I switched because I'm driving 60 miles a day and wanted to protect my CV joints. I wouldn't buy smaller tires just for better mpg, but that's just me. As of now I have a stock V6 with 31" tires and manual hubs, I've been getting around 19 mpg on mostly highway driving. I just changed my O2 sensor, so I might be getting better mileage.

Also welcome to the forums.

 

Thanks for the numbers. I think I can get all the parts for the swap at a relatively cheep price. This is the only reason I would be considering a manual swap, otherwise I would wait until my automatics wear out. I kinda like the idea of being able to shift into 4WD without jumping out and turning the hub on a snowy/muddy road.

I realize that I bought a SUV and mpg should not be my number one concern, but comparing my 4 cyl Tacoma with manual hubs, to my 6 cyl with auto's and larger tires is 100 mile per tank difference.

I am only dropping tires sizes from 285/75/16 to 265/75/16, so I am not too worried about having too small of tires.

 

With 285/75/16s and a V6 (albeit a manual transmission) I get between 17-21 mpg depending on where I drive. I have never gotten less than 17 even around town. I get 20-21 on the highway if I keep it around 65-70, and it drops to 18 at 75+ miles per hour.


Edit: correction.... when towing a 4000 lb enclosed trailer on I-95 I got 11 mpg. But those are extenuating circumstances.

 

Another thing to consider is the rolling resistance of the tire you select. Consumer Reports' latest mag lists that, just by changing the tire type on a Malibu, they gained 3 mpg. They had all-terrain tires in the mag a few months ago, and I think the Bridgestone Dueler did the best in regards to rolling resistance (it wasn't good, but it was better than the others).

I took the roof rails, bug guard, and sunroof deflector off and it appears that I gained about .5 mpg over the past 10 fill ups.

So there are some random thoughts for you in addition to what the other folks have said. "Egg under the gas pedal" is one of the best pieces of advice for me in regards to mpg though...

 

Its been a few weeks and about 3 tanks of gas since I swapped my 285/75/16 Goodyear Mud terrains, to 265/75/16 BFG AT's. The funny thing is, I didnt see my MPG getting any better.

The other funny thing is, people here have said to watch the way you drive "eggshell under the gas pedal" or whatever. It doesnt matter how I drive, I can be conservative and polite, or drive like a jackass and accelerate off of every stop sign and stop light. I get the same gas mileage.

The only time I got any better gas mileage, is when I am cruizing through the desert on dirt roads, averaging 50 MPH. I might even have 4WD engaged part of the time. All of the sudden, my MPG increases from 15 to 18.

I am finally coming to terms with my new ride, and still love it. But I usually park it in the garage all week looking pretty, while I run errands in my beat up 4 banger Taco.

 

[IMG][/IMG]

I love old beat up Toyotas

 

I believe some of the gas mileage that you gain with a manual T is the 5th gear ratio vs the OD ratio of the A/T. The A/T is 0.7 (or 0.71 depending who you talk to) and the M/T 5th is 0.85. The super tall OD in the A/T forces the engine to drop into 3rd a lot at highway speeds, thereby unlocking and relocking the torque converter too often and stealing MPG.

You can regear the diffs to match up the overall manual drivetrain highway gear ratio of the M/T and get back most of the MPGs. I.e. you would go to a lower gear ratio in you diffs. Do this especially if you are running bigger tires.

 

delete... double tap

 

OP - what kind of MPG gallon are you getting in your 4runner? You never specify.

I'm in CO too and get no lower than 19 in the city and 24 on highway trips. I think my motor is in pretty good tune ~130K miles.

You might just need to do a tune up, making sure you clean the MAF, replace O2 sensor, etc.

 

i agree with compressed about the tune up bc i have front and rear steel bumpers and a big roofrack and 295/75/16 terra grapplers and i get bout 18~19 with combined city and highway and if im all highway like goin down to the beach i can get about 400 miles to a tank

 

Do not waste your money on this. I see no 5 sp getting above 21mpg on the avg--same with my auto.

Do what I did. Bought a beater Civic for $2k. 50mpg highway and no wear/tear on the truck.