A different approach to improving MPG's

[DogtorM]

I realize that I'm about to suggest the opposite of what we typically do around here, but my wife sent me this video, and I have to admit, I was intrigued:

Sewanee Students Boost Fuel Efficiency of the Ford “Eco” Explorer -

Again, I know that almost everything we do on this site has the exact opposite effect, but I wouldn't complain if I could improve my MPG's that drastically for less than $1500.

Has anyone tried similar mods on their T4Rs? If so, how did it work out, and what did you use.

I've already tried the "drive like a grandmother" mod, but I can't help it, it's just so much more fun to drive faster!!!

Oh, and before anyone suggests it, I wouldn't trade my 4Runner for a Honda Cervix or Toyota Horolla, or anything of the like.:barf:

 

[BrianSD_42]

honda cervix

lol ...

 

[Maritimer]

Amen. I can't do those mods for clearance on bumpy roads, though. I heard the energy use to manufacture a new vehicle destroys the mpg boost with new tech, so, an old "clunker" already is eco.

Plus, I'd be afraid the Ford would explode, whereas my baby is just reaching its prime.

 

[Big John]

Ha! My Scan Gauge II is dead on accurate for milage.
How I achieved this is highly top secret.

 

[tacosmasher]

I just have a 96 civic cx that gets 36-37mpg as my daily driver. It also doubles as my ST class autox ringer. I only have about $2000 invested into it haha, minus the parts i already had.

Its a pretty damn fun daily, despite only putting out 85whp lol, but it will turn .9+ lateral g's due to its very rear biased custom valved coilover setup. (550#/in F - 750#/in R)

Edit: yes, its dead silent thanks to the 100% stock exhaust and drivetrain.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Sewanne, the most overpriced 4 year preppy college ($40,000 + yearly) in the South. I had a cousin who went there, now works at Whole Foods.

The reason I drive the Mazda Protege 5, and not the 4runner nor Tundra to work, is to save gas. Why? The 4 cyl engine that is under the hood. My suggestion to the OP is to buy a cheap DD that is good on gas.

 

[JohnsD90]

Well $1500 is a lot of money, you could buy an old civic for that, then insure it, and still save money one what your dorky 4runner will look like when it get its minor increase in MPG, i knew already all that crap from the skirts on the semi's and the aero mods from the eco forums, but in the end you look like a tool when you could get beater like "J-money$$$" did and end up laughing at the dumba$$ who does this.

And that is besides the fact that you have to how long it would take you to make your money back by doing these aero mods, i calculated that at about $4 a gallon it would take you just shy of 40,000 miles to make your money back (thats not even a penny of profit) if you previously got 20mpg and it brought you too 25mpg which is a rather large jump.

 

[fightman80]

Aside from it being an Exploder.....I don't find the mods look too bad......I wouldn't do them to my already lifted 4Runner....but whatever floats peoples boats! :wink2: