Mine was parked with damage for 2+ years. Prior to the damage, I never recorded better than about 18MPG. I just replaced the front brakes and the front bearings 2 weeks ago along with several other smaller repairs that were needed. I have, since, gone on long trips two different times. Each time I filled the tank before I left and then again when I returned. The first time I went 88.8 miles and it took 3.8 gallons totaling 23.36MPG. The second time I went 117 miles and it took 4.9 gallons totaling 23.87MPG. These were straight HWY trips with little idling and little stopping but I have been astonished to measure right around 24MPG which was unheard of in the past...

The mechanic that completed the bearing/brake replacement said that the bearings were f**ked. He said they were basically welded together and it was near impossible to press them out. He also said that he thinks they may have been compromised for a long time and I was lucky one/both of the wheels didn't fly off at speed. I wonder if that is why my MPG has increased. Having a compromised bearing is like driving through deep sand all the time. It must negatively effect MPG.

Did you notice any difficulty in spinning the front wheels when lifted? Any resistance to roll when in neutral and a flat surface? Mine did the best 21.5 MPG while I lived in Reno NV but Never ever seen those numbers after moving to deep south and then to West TX. The best I get is 16.8 MPG on 100% highway and on 100% city 3 miles each way trips: 11 MPG! I find no resistance to roll, so I over rule the issue with the bearings in my 97. IF bearings are too tight, you'll find the difficulty in steering. But I am impressed with your numbers. Even any newer V6 (proper body on frame truck) will hardly get closer to 20.

The dude had to have had a tailwind the whole way.

Best I've gotten is 21.17 with a 5 speed 3.4L. Then again that's mountain highway mileage. I wonder what would happen if I repeated the OPs course but in reverse.

The best I've ever gotten was 29.78 mpg on the highway. Everyone will rightfully say "no way man, photos or it didn't happen". And believe it or not, I photo proof because snapping a pic and calculating it later is how I track milage.

Below are the actual photos of the fuel pump where I filled up. Look at the date and time, note that the trip odometer is consistent with the actual odometer. The location on the first photo is blacked out because it is my home town, also cropped the bottom because I don't want other personal photos visible.


This is the milage when I filled up the tank at the start.

Unfortunately I didn't wait for the needle to go to full before taking the photo, but was completely filled. The pump did not shut off early. The fuel light hadn't come on (I know it works) when I filled up, but it was at the bottom of the gauge.


My vehicle is mostly stock, on all terrain tires. No lift, no special intake, just well maintained.

The 2.7l, 4 cylinder is fuel efficient..

Different pumps even at the same gas station will shut off at different points. The only way to eliminate that variable is to fill up at the same gas station at the same fuel pump consecutively. Does it make a huge difference? Probably not, but it is still a variable in the equation. Filling up with a gas can by hand is also another variable since the gas can does not have a cutoff function and is dependent on the user.

The documentation is awesome!

Best we ever got (75mph on cruise...across I-40 when our 99 Runner with the 3.4L and 5 speed was fairly new; less than 30K for sure) was 24 mpg calculated. I was SHOCKED.

I'll be surprised/ecstatic if I get 16 mpg after all the mods are in place.

That's a real bonafide miracle.

You should buy a lottery ticket and retire.

I could get sometimes 22mpg on my 2.7 MTM 4x4,, but usually its araound 20mpg

Wow impressive numbers!

i have a 97 5 speed 2WD. I usually average 20 MPG on the highway and I'm a pretty cautious driver. impressive!