lift vs. tires vs. milage

[thmastr]

I am researching getting an 06 4runner. Not too picky with things but I am considering lifting it (for looks and for ability to negotiate terrain.) I am however considering the 7 seater configuration.

The use of this vehicle t will be a medium to mild off road vehicle no rock crawling. Some towing, but cannot foresee anything too crazy. As it is I currently tow about 1200 pounds with my matrix.

I am looking at the biggest tires with no body work and no rub I have encountered in my reading (265/70/16), and a 3/2 lift. I am also looking at adding some weight in the form of skid plates and such.

So now that you have a little bit of background here is my question.

How much is mileage (mpg) affected by this set up? some aggressive at/mt tires, and the 3 inch lift, compared to the stock mileage? is the mileage affected less in the V8 since it has higher displacement and more torque? or is it affected equally?

I see a lot of people upgrading wheel size and suspension, but I dont see people upgrading brakes, are there any after market options to upgrade brakes?

Also I have gotten mixed information can the center differential be locked on 4 high? is that a standard option? or is it part of a package?

This suv will be my dd so I want to explore every possible outcome before I take the huge step of purchasing it.

Any input would be highly appreciated and sorry for such a long first post.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

You will lose about 2 mpg with the lift and tires. I just completed a 7k mile trip in my 03 4runner across the US in every type driving condition. 80 mph speed limit in texas to driving through winding forrest roads, from flat land in mississipi and through the rocky mountains. I averaged 16.88 for the whole trip with my wife and I and 300 lbs of luggage. This was with 2.5 lift and 265x70x17 BFG all terrains. Before the lift and tires I would get around 18.8 on the same type trip. You will also lose a little power from the taller heavier tires and braking will be slightly worse. I get my worst mileage on the interstates at high speeds after the lift and tires, before the lift this is where I got my best mileage. I am pretty sure the center diff can be locked in hi range but have never need this option.

 

[thmastr]

cool so I can expect 16m/g with the set up and the v8 engine on real situations with mixed driving.

anyone with a V6 care to chime in?

also are there any brake upgrades, to make up for the increase in unsprung weight?

 

[THEROK]

cool so I can expect 16m/g with the set up and the v8 engine on real situations with mixed driving.

anyone with a V6 care to chime in?

also are there any brake upgrades, to make up for the increase in unsprung weight?

not sure what these guys are smoking or what their 4r's are drinking but there's no way with a 3" lift and AT/MT tires the v8 is gonna to net 16mpg mixed driving. no way.

if you're using the onboard computer, you're doing it wrong. it reads higher than actual mpg.

i went from 16-7mpg down to 13-4 mpg. '03 v8 limited.... 32" BFG AT KO lifted 2.5". mixed driving on nice seattle roads. i don't gun it from stoplights. i treat my truck nice. i don't see much of a diff whether i'm running regular or premium fuel. i never do arco. always shell or chevron and maybe costco.

i think most folks stay away from brake upgrades for the following reasons: 1) off roading means going slower not faster unlike a sports car so no need for bigger brakes; 2) $$$$$$s; 3) the big brake kits from say brembo don't fit the 16s/17s typical; and 4) there's just little to no market for them.

if i had a merc g-wagon on 22s, i'd def look at including a big brake brembo kit, but alas this is for off-road use where traction is more valuable than consistent braking power heading deep into a turn going from 120MPH to 40MPH for example.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

not sure what these guys are smoking or what their 4r's are drinking but there's no way with a 3" lift and AT/MT tires the v8 is gonna to net 16mpg mixed driving. no way.

if you're using the onboard computer, you're doing it wrong. it reads higher than actual mpg.

i went from 16-7mpg down to 13-4 mpg. '03 v8 limited.... 32" BFG AT KO lifted 2.5". mixed driving on nice seattle roads. i don't gun it from stoplights. i treat my truck nice. i don't see much of a diff whether i'm running regular or premium fuel. i never do arco. always shell or chevron and maybe costco.

i think most folks stay away from brake upgrades for the following reasons: 1) off roading means going slower not faster unlike a sports car so no need for bigger brakes; 2) $$$$$$s; 3) the big brake kits from say brembo don't fit the 16s/17s typical; and 4) there's just little to no market for them.

if i had a merc g-wagon on 22s, i'd def look at including a big brake brembo kit, but alas this is for off-road use where traction is more valuable than consistent braking power heading deep into a turn going from 120MPH to 40MPH for example.

All miles were gps recorded miles. 6901 miles and 408.7 gallons.
All 87 octane except in Colorado were 85 octane replaces the 87 in the high altitude. Clean your mass air sensor and see if your mpg improves. I also run 36 psi in my all terrains.

 

[diamondplate]

Excellent post Thmstr. I was just going to start a similar thread. I picked up an '03 'Runner a couple weeks ago and had the same questions.:cheers:

 

[thmastr]

Excellent post Thmstr. I was just going to start a similar thread. I picked up an '03 'Runner a couple weeks ago and had the same questions.:cheers:

thanks!

03_4x4Runner: thanks for your posts it helps to really get a good picture, and with 6000+ miles it is definitely an accurate calculation.

THEROK: I come from riding motorcycles, and I do play at the track hence the towing, so the first thing I looked at was brakes.

true while offroading not having the best possible brakes wont make too much of a difference, but while driving on the street, it might be nice to make up for that unsprung mass. brembo does sound expensive...

thanks guys for your input

still I ask anyone else?

 

[techmen17]

Here's coming from a v6 guy...
After 2.5 inch lift, no increase/decrease in mpg and no loss in braking (obviously)
After 32 inch muds mpg down about 1-2 mpg mixed city/highway. Very slight decrease in acceleration, and no real difference in braking. :cheers:

 

[lmoody003]

Awsome thead. I wanted to ask the same thing I just didn't know how to word it. I know a lot of people will enjoy this information :bravo::bravo:

 

[FourEyedWilly]

I'm running a 2/3 with spacers, 255/75R17s, and a V8. I only drive around town these days with the A/C on all the time (vegas). I also tow a 4500-5000lb boat. Calculated at about 13.5 - 14mpg. I don't get on the freeway too much as I started a business and have no time to get out of dodge.

Before the lift and tires I was about 14.5 - 15mpg, same circumstances. When I can finally turn the A/C off I get back up to 16-17mpg. Remember, it's flat as a pancake out here. I run Shell gas almost exclusively and a synthetic blend oil (dealer does lof, again no time).

 

[GtrZan]

You will lose about 2 mpg with the lift and tires. I just completed a 7k mile trip in my 03 4runner across the US in every type driving condition. 80 mph speed limit in texas to driving through winding forrest roads, from flat land in mississipi and through the rocky mountains. I averaged 16.88 for the whole trip with my wife and I and 300 lbs of luggage. This was with 2.5 lift and 265x70x17 BFG all terrains. Before the lift and tires I would get around 18.8 on the same type trip. You will also lose a little power from the taller heavier tires and braking will be slightly worse. I get my worst mileage on the interstates at high speeds after the lift and tires, before the lift this is where I got my best mileage.

I have an '08 V6 and my story is almost exactly what was written here! (Except VA instead of Texas)

Same lift, same tires, same experience

 

[thmastr]

thanks so much for the replies!

how are 255/75/17 different in overall diameter than 265/65/17? Are they a bit taller?

I am looking for something that will be just a tad bigger than the stock tires... with a bigger side wall so I get a bit more clearance for the diffs.

So far what I have gotten from the posts is that the lift and tires do not make too much of a difference.

However city driving with the ac on will make your 4runner drink gas like like beer @ happy hour

 

[RickC]

Ok, I have to ask about the mileage changes. When you change tire size, it affects the speedometer. Are you guys checking the mileage with the new uncalibrated speedometer? Because it would definitely show a lower mileage with bigger tires, because the bigger tires aren't making the same revolutions going the same distance, so it appears slower (also read as less miles).

I have been wondering about this for a while and figured this was a good place to ask the question.

Thanks,

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Ok, I have to ask about the mileage changes. When you change tire size, it affects the speedometer. Are you guys checking the mileage with the new uncalibrated speedometer? Because it would definitely show a lower mileage with bigger tires, because the bigger tires aren't making the same revolutions going the same distance, so it appears slower (also read as less miles).

I have been wondering about this for a while and figured this was a good place to ask the question.

Thanks,

As I reported the miles from my trip were from a Garmin gps. You have to add approx 5 miles for every 100 the odometer shows with 265/70/17 tires.

 

[thmastr]

bringing this thread back a bit....

I see some people running 285 70 17s... (I am still looking at these options I am known to research stuff adnauseum) and I am looking at a bigger tire (than stock) that will not rub while fully flexed with a 3/2 lift, and after market bumpers. Is a 285 too much? I want it to look sort of mean a capable and actually have it be capable!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

bringing this thread back a bit....

I see some people running 285 70 17s... (I am still looking at these options I am known to research stuff adnauseum) and I am looking at a bigger tire (than stock) that will not rub while fully flexed with a 3/2 lift, and after market bumpers. Is a 285 too much? I want it to look sort of mean a capable and actually have it be capable!

A freind of mine went from 265 to 285 on his 2009 Tacoma V6 and has regretted it ever since. He lost 2 mpg, power, and he says the transmission is constantly in and out of overdrive on slight grades. It is not really much more capable. Just gained a little clearance.

 

[B1Dave]

definitely need to check your mileage with something like gps for accuracy, i put bigger tires on my truck and my speedo was about 2.5 mph off of gps speed and my odometer was about 7% off, i figure 7 because for every 100 miles on the odometer my gps would read about 107.

 

[webby]

This thread brings up a similar question:

I have an 2009 SR5 V6 4WD with OEM 265/65/17 tires. I hate the ridiculous front end rake -- I have a 2" difference in height measured at the top of the wheel wells, between the front and the rear wheel wells. So I was planning to lift the front end just enough to level (or close to) the truck. I will not change the tires or anything else, just add some spacers to the front to lift the front end to make the truck level.

My question is, should I expect any drop in gas mileage?

 

[eskimochaos]

This thread brings up a similar question:

I have an 2009 SR5 V6 4WD with OEM 265/65/17 tires. I hate the ridiculous front end rake -- I have a 2" difference in height measured at the top of the wheel wells, between the front and the rear wheel wells. So I was planning to lift the front end just enough to level (or close to) the truck. I will not change the tires or anything else, just add some spacers to the front to lift the front end to make the truck level.

My question is, should I expect any drop in gas mileage?

Nothing too noticeable, especially with stock tires.

 

[webby]

Nothing too noticeable, especially with stock tires.

Thanks. But are you saying that I should expect a very slight drop in mileage? If so, what would cause it by leveling out the rake? Is there a slight loss of aerodyamics in doing that?