Improving The Power, Performance and MPG of your 5th Gen 4Runner

[AggieOE]

Theoretically opening up the airflow and fuel mixture through the engine will help but you're really fighting the wind and vehicle and actual engine design. None you really can change.

I find the following as the only reasonable MPG increase methods:
1) Go slower or draft
2) Minimize wind resistance (removing roof rack, RTT, etc.)
3) Remove weight
4) Use cruise control or a steady foot
5) Run a sufficiently sized tire without oversizing
6) Use windy.com to optimize route around wind. We all notice a tailwind.

What was said about proper tire inflation and vehicle maintenance is key.

 

[SteadFAST 4Runner]

A recommendation, stay away from cat back systems. Just replace the muffler. The restriction is at the Y pipe, not the cat back area. The Y pipe has a massive crimp section that dramatically reduces exhaust flow under the truck. The muffler end has nice bends with very little restriction.

With my experience here you are incorrect. Money well spent on my cat back and had a significant improvement on my mileage that i wasnt expecting.

 

[1jzgte]

I wouldn’t say more but there are a lot of them. They are attracted to the manly 4Runner.

There are definitely more women driving 4runners than men. In fact, I see more men driving miatas then 4runners

 

[blackened_offroad]

it's been pretty well documented on here that none of these things make any difference in power or mpg except the supercharger, which costs $7000 or so.

 

[kelkins]

With my experience here you are incorrect. Money well spent on my cat back and had a significant improvement on my mileage that i wasnt expecting.

I wish I could say the same. I’ve never seen a significant change. Perhaps .02 MPG at best across the vehicles I have owned. My 4Runner has been the most consistent of the bunch.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

it's been pretty well documented on here that none of these things make any difference in power or mpg except the supercharger, which costs $7000 or so.

There's also been dynos proving HP gains, so not sure how well documented no difference really is :loco:

 

[baldrik78]

it's been pretty well documented on here that none of these things make any difference in power or mpg except the supercharger, which costs $7000 or so.

This. And even then, if the SC gave a full +1mpg (which it won't) it would take hundreds of thousands of miles to pay for itself. Most likely longer than the life of the car.

For arguments sake, lets say you spent $1000 on cat-back/cold-air/MAF tuner and it takes you from 15mpg to 16mpg and you're paying ~$4/gal. It will take about 60,000 miles for this system to pay for itself on fuel savings alone. If your gas is cheaper than that, it will take longer. If you are already getting more mpgs than that (say 18mpg improves to 19mpg), it will take longer. If you don't get the full +1mpg improvement, it will take longer.

You will get your best mpgs on these trucks with: light, narrow (255 or smaller) H/T tires with proper inflation; no added weight and minimal payload; a light foot and steady speeds between 55-65 mph; and a tailwind.

 

[blackened_offroad]

You will get your best mpgs on these trucks with: light, narrow (255 or smaller) H/T tires with proper inflation; no added weight and minimal payload; a light foot and steady speeds between 55-65 mph; and a tailwind.

the best thing I did for my MPG was moving to a tiny town in the middle of nowhere with a top speed limit of 55 and deciding not to travel anymore for a while. I get 19.5 mpg with 275/70's, -38 wheels, and a 2.5" lift.

 

[DallasTRDPro]

I removed my TRD exhaust and noticed zero change in power. However, I turned off my pedal commander and the 4R is unbearable without it.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Prius swap for mileage. Performance and mileage, turbo 4 banger car.

 

[Ascole]

I have the TRD intake but stock exhaust, no noticeable improvement on anything. I used to care about my MPG and performance then quickly realized I’m driving possibly the least aero dynamic, under powered, poorly geared brick on 4 tires.
I’m thrilled when I can get up to 75mph and get over 16 mpg but I’m also a commercial truck driver so I’m kinda used to sluggish performance and poor fuel mileage.
I think if you really want to improve mpg and performance you have to lose weight and drag. Put on some pizza cutters, remove the carpet and headliner, maybe lose the rear seats, install the smallest spare tire or even ditch it etc etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hadelson]

Too many factors going against the 5th Gen for MPG. Raise it up and you have even more air resistance under the truck. Any power increases most likely impact Fuel MPG. Boast makes it bearable but a MPG cost. That said, didn't buy it for MPG nor being the fastest on the road. It's a utility hauler for me and outstanding off the road. I'm okay running 70-75 and getting 17-18 MPG.
.

 

[cmersea]

The procharger seems to be looking good if you want both better power and better MPG. One member here reported low 20s for MPG and noticeably more power

Hi there, are you able to tell me the year of this model? and also the device they installed or what they did to increase the low 20's mileage they experienced?! That would be great help, thank you kindly!