1986 4runner MPG?

[McNeill]

I'm about to pick up an '86 with 33" Goodyear Duratrac Tires. Probably looking to swap them out for something smaller, because I'm sure the mileage is gonna suck.

 

[RAD4Runner]

I'm about to pick up an '86 with 33" Goodyear Duratrac Tires. Probably looking to swap them out for something smaller, because I'm sure the mileage is gonna suck.

If it is properly re-geared for the big tires it should be fine.
Else, go back to 31's. I got 20 MPG average on my last Utah trip, including 100 miles RT on washboarded Hole in the Rock Road, Escalante.

 

[Dropzone]

I'm about to pick up an '86 with 33" Goodyear Duratrac Tires. Probably looking to swap them out for something smaller, because I'm sure the mileage is gonna suck.

Or re-gear to 4.88's
You can't expect awesome mileage once you lift and put bigger tires on.
I am thrilled to get 15 mpg with mine

 

[McNeill]

If it is properly re-geared for the big tires it should be fine.
Else, go back to 31's. I got 20 MPG average on my last Utah trip, including 100 miles RT on washboarded Hole in the Rock Road, Escalante.

Or re-gear to 4.88's
You can't expect awesome mileage once you lift and put bigger tires on.
I am thrilled to get 15 mpg with mine

Great info! I'm a novice when it come to in depth upgrades to trucks. I'll search around for re-gearing. Or could you point me in the right direction? The truck I'm getting as a new engine in it with 25k on it, so I'm sure the efficiency is better than a 30yr old one.

But man these things are sick!

 

[Dropzone]

Great info! I'm a novice when it come to in depth upgrades to trucks. I'll search around for re-gearing. Or could you point me in the right direction? The truck I'm getting as a new engine in it with 25k on it, so I'm sure the efficiency is better than a 30yr old one.

But man these things are sick!

These old trucks can be addicting.
They are getting to the point where you want one just to have not because you expect it to be a daily reliable vehicle, they still can be but it may take a bit of work and cash to get it there

 

[RAD4Runner]

Or re-gear to 4.88's
...

I heard that stock 3rd member of differential of the second gen is direct fit, plug and play into the first gen? Is that accurate? Does it make it 4.88?

 

[kc15842]

It is but you would need to plug the speed sensor port. Its an easy freeze plug and you're good to go.

 

[wallytoo]

Great info! I'm a novice when it come to in depth upgrades to trucks. I'll search around for re-gearing. Or could you point me in the right direction? The truck I'm getting as a new engine in it with 25k on it, so I'm sure the efficiency is better than a 30yr old one.

But man these things are sick!

i've got an '87 with the 22re, 5-speed, and i've run 30x9.5x15s in winter and 31x10.5x15s in the summer since i bought it in 2013. my mileage basically varies from 18 to 23 mpg. depends on how much gravel road travel, pavement travel, and highway travel i do. truck now has 174K on the original motor. it had 97K when i bought it. the speedometer is off by a bit (reads high), but the odometer is pretty close (reads very slightly low - less than 1 mile in 100 miles driven).

 

[Dropzone]

I heard that stock 3rd member of differential of the second gen is direct fit, plug and play into the first gen? Is that accurate? Does it make it 4.88?

For the rear end 4x4 79-95 are all 8" thirds. Granted 88-95 you will have V6 thirds and the 86-87: Turbos will both be a stronger assembly with the 4 spider gears vs.the 2 spiders in a 4 banger 8" third
To the best of my knowledge, all 86-95 front diff housings are interchangeable (some axle differences come into play when you look at ADD vs. Manual hubs)
Now finding the factory 4.88's is like finding a 3rd gen 5 speed with a 3RZ...possible but not easy.
Pretty sure the factory 4.88's were only available in Some 92-95 v6 auto equipped 4runners...dunno what axle code you would look for on the VIN tag.

And there is something about factory 4.88's being difficult to replace, can't just throw a set of aftermarket 4.88 gears on a factory 4.88 third, it has to be replaced with factory 4.88's

Links below are ones I have had bookmarked for years
The usual gear link when looking up factory stuff
Toyota Pickup and 4Runner Drivetrain Specifications

Link on factory 4.88's
https://www.roundforge.com/articles/cheap-488-gears-488s-straight-toyota/

Hope all this makes sense...running on only a few hours sleep

 

[nevada]

Or re-gear to 4.88's
You can't expect awesome mileage once you lift and put bigger tires on.
I am thrilled to get 15 mpg with mine

I can get into the 18's(and higher) fairly easily with my 85. its running 5.29's and 37's. speedo is nearly dead-on.

i've got an '87 with the 22re, 5-speed, and i've run 30x9.5x15s in winter and 31x10.5x15s in the summer since i bought it in 2013. my mileage basically varies from 18 to 23 mpg. depends on how much gravel road travel, pavement travel, and highway travel i do. truck now has 174K on the original motor. it had 97K when i bought it. the speedometer is off by a bit (reads high), but the odometer is pretty close (reads very slightly low - less than 1 mile in 100 miles driven).

how is that possible?

 

[wallytoo]

I can get into the 18's(and higher) fairly easily with my 85. its running 5.29's and 37's. speedo is nearly dead-on.



how is that possible?

the odo is direct drive, the speedo is (i believe) indirect via magnets.

i've confirmed the speed reading via multiple radar signs and thousands of miles of gps readings. i've confirmed the odo via several "measured mile" sections of road.

 

[nevada]

the odo is direct drive, the speedo is (i believe) indirect via magnets.

i've confirmed the speed reading via multiple radar signs and thousands of miles of gps readings. i've confirmed the odo via several "measured mile" sections of road.

interesting. I always thought the speedo is what drove the odo.

 

[Dropzone]

I can get into the 18's(and higher) fairly easily with my 85. its running 5.29's and 37's. speedo is nearly dead-on.

My old 84 with 5.29's and 35's yot similar mileage.

My 2nd gen is probably 1200 lbs heavier than a 1st gen. 5.29's, Auto and 3.0

Just saying that not everyone will get great mileage after lifting (changes the aerodynamics to that of an outhouse) etc will get great mileage. 22R(E) 3VZE get tired especially some having 15+ owners who don't do anything but put gas in them.

Try a GPS I would bet your speedo isn't quite as dead on as you think..or your 37s are running on the small side

 

[nevada]

My old 84 with 5.29's and 35's yot similar mileage.

My 2nd gen is probably 1200 lbs heavier than a 1st gen. 5.29's, Auto and 3.0

Just saying that not everyone will get great mileage after lifting (changes the aerodynamics to that of an outhouse) etc will get great mileage. 22R(E) 3VZE get tired especially some having 15+ owners who don't do anything but put gas in them.

Try a GPS I would bet your speedo isn't quite as dead on as you think..or your 37s are running on the small side

I changed the speedo gear. its about as close as it can be.