Still not sure how this happened. Over the course of our nearly 4,000 mile trip to Wyoming, I saw 21-22 most of the time and sometimes 23, but finally on the way back we got 24 which was 80% highway at 65-70mph.



What has everyone else achieved?

Wait a minute, I thought it was like golf - lowest score wins!

24 mpg is pretty amazing.
I regularly get 21-22 on every tank (75% highway driving) which is 10-15% better than my wife’s 07 CRV......go figure!

Nice! Headed east on the way back? If so, maybe the tailwind helped.

Heading east yeah, just filled up again and only got 20 with the same type of driving.

This might be, dumb... But.... Would the thinner air, which casued a massive drop in power sadly, also result in a higher fuel economy due to using less gas? Or am I crazy?

But seriously though, sadly this trip has made me realize the 3rs gen may not be the right one for us. Traveling through the mountains was nigh impossible. Lol

I love my 3rd gen but traveling thru the mtns in it is like being in 1800 wagon wheels and everyone else is riding stallions . These things just don't have the torque to pull 5000 lbs pounds over mtn passes like modern vehicles do. On a recent 250 mile trip to the local mtns I realize that would be the last mtn trip in the 3rd gen.

I assume a manual transmission wouldve made it more easier in the mountains. How about a supercharger with auto transmission? How does it fare?

Modern vehicles tend to have more torque but also better transmissions so yes a supercharger would definitely help. I would not put a sc on my 25 year old 3rd gen because I like mine reliable. The 3rd gen could definitely use a better transmission.

This is what we found on a 6 plus hour trip to Eastern Tn and back to Va.

These engines and trans have more than proven themselves just as reliable with a supercharger.

I’ll add one more observation regarding manual trans vs Auto and ability to climb a decent size grade.
My 02 4TR has Auto trans and I always need to turn off the OD when climbing almost any grade hill/mountain.
My 95 T100 has same 3.4 engine but 5 speed manual.
It can handle the light climb in 5th gear but I do need to drop down to 4th on any substantial grade or long mild grade.
Overall the manual does provide a bit of help but anything steep or a long climb is tough in either vehicle unless you drop down a gear or turn off OD.
Still love driving and owning both.

for me on mountains, od off ect on.
the best ive ever gotten was near 21...thats b4 it got its full roof rack and fat heavy tires.
now im back to living in the hills, so seeing 19 is a treat....but that will be gone as im putting on a plate bumper, winch and 2inch lift before this winter

Yeah I should add, my 4Runner is completely stock and i’m running Michelin Defender LTX (265/70R16). Most of my driving is without passengers other than my dog and never carrying much of a load.......all that contributes to the good mileage.

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So you guys can even tow in the mountains? See that really makes me feel like the engine is missing some ponies.

The best we could do was like 2nd gear , 3500-4000 Rpm just struggling to keep around 30-40 mph. This is with no trailer, and probably under 200 lbs of gear. Is this normal? Even my gf, who has driven in Colorado in her 2015 Corolla, said it just didn't feel right when she drove. Said her Corolla never struggled this much.

I did think about the supercharger, but then it's like....do I do that and lose fuel economy, or get a 4runner with the 4.0 V6 to gain power and efficiency? Then I have to think about the Costs, I can't afford to drop $2000-3000 for the SC, but I can easily finance a vehicle without skipping a beat.

Ugh, I hate it because I love my 3rd gen...feels like betrayal.

Have your gf trade her corolla for a next gen 4runner. Haha. I wouldn't say its betrayal if you stayed with a Toyota. Now if you sold it to get a jeep!

Usually when I go on camping trips with the family or my week long hunting trips, I'm normally fully loaded like below. Full lift, 33's, full armor, extra 15 gallons of fuel/water, 5 bodies and full RTIC 65 cooler with ice. You can only imagine how it is climbing up the mountains. I've been contemplating a supercharger.



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