New economy record - 24mpg
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jross20
New member
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
Thebeastlives
New member
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.
RotaryDreamz
Member
I assume a manual transmission wouldve made it more easier in the mountains. How about a supercharger with auto transmission? How does it fare?
Thebeastlives
New member
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.
BetterontheMtn
Member
This is what we found on a 6 plus hour trip to Eastern Tn and back to Va.
Chicago3rdgen
New member
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.
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
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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jross20
New member
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.
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.
RotaryDreamz
Member
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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Thebeastlives
New member
I've now got 330k miles on the motor and trans so there is no way I would ever add a sc to this 26 year old vehicle. Just keeping it running is good enough for me, beside I have other vehicles to drive that are much more capable towing and driving up long mtn passes.
I just drove from SoCal to Western NC.
2410 miles
121.5g
19.83mpg
‘98 3.4 Manual 4wd
202k when I left
192-195 psi all cyl last Feb
I had expected 22ish, as that’s what I’ve gotten on several 400 mile runs with a cargo box on top and 150lbs or so of gear, but I don’t use the AC much and spend more time under 70 mph than over.
On this run, I was nearly unloaded, but AC was on 90% of the way (AZ and NM were blazing and OK/TX/AK/TN were humid and rainy) and cruising 70-75 usually made me the slow poke due to traffic still being pretty light (thanks quarantiners!).
I also went ahead and did mpg for each fillup because who doesn’t want to be overloaded with data?
0 Full Los Angeles CA
283 13.8 20.5mpg Lake Havasu City AZ
246 13.21 18.6mpg Winslow AZ
139 6.9 20.14mpg Gallup NM
253 12.19 20.75mpg Santa Rosa NM
133 7.16 18.57mpg Odessa-ish? TX
218 11.84 18.41mpg Clinton OK
206 10 20.6mpg Cheekapoo OK
230 11.76 19.56mpg Little Rock AK
283 14.54 19.46mpg Hurricane Mills TN
224 10.94 20.47mpg Knoxville TN
195 9.19 21.22mpg Spruce Pine NC
Interesting note - my highest mpg - Knoxville to Spruce Pine - involves a total climb of 1800’ with lots of ups/downs/curves, and I also detoured through Asheville. My avg speed was more like 55 but I still used AC most of the way. Says a lot about what happens to your mpg past 60!
I’ll be going back the other way in a couple weeks with new tires and an alignment. Maybe a supercharger? Probably not, though.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2410 miles
121.5g
19.83mpg
‘98 3.4 Manual 4wd
202k when I left
192-195 psi all cyl last Feb
I had expected 22ish, as that’s what I’ve gotten on several 400 mile runs with a cargo box on top and 150lbs or so of gear, but I don’t use the AC much and spend more time under 70 mph than over.
On this run, I was nearly unloaded, but AC was on 90% of the way (AZ and NM were blazing and OK/TX/AK/TN were humid and rainy) and cruising 70-75 usually made me the slow poke due to traffic still being pretty light (thanks quarantiners!).
I also went ahead and did mpg for each fillup because who doesn’t want to be overloaded with data?
0 Full Los Angeles CA
283 13.8 20.5mpg Lake Havasu City AZ
246 13.21 18.6mpg Winslow AZ
139 6.9 20.14mpg Gallup NM
253 12.19 20.75mpg Santa Rosa NM
133 7.16 18.57mpg Odessa-ish? TX
218 11.84 18.41mpg Clinton OK
206 10 20.6mpg Cheekapoo OK
230 11.76 19.56mpg Little Rock AK
283 14.54 19.46mpg Hurricane Mills TN
224 10.94 20.47mpg Knoxville TN
195 9.19 21.22mpg Spruce Pine NC
Interesting note - my highest mpg - Knoxville to Spruce Pine - involves a total climb of 1800’ with lots of ups/downs/curves, and I also detoured through Asheville. My avg speed was more like 55 but I still used AC most of the way. Says a lot about what happens to your mpg past 60!
I’ll be going back the other way in a couple weeks with new tires and an alignment. Maybe a supercharger? Probably not, though.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
snydmax
New member
Gotta wonder, could the mountain performance have anything to do with your current misfire issue? Hope it’s not too soon [emoji6]
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gamefreakgc
Elite Member
What you are describing is how it is driving a 2nd Gen is like. The 22RE has 110 HP and the lethargic 3VZ-E has 150HP, brand new that is. With my camping gear I'd be in 3rd (manual) chugging along at 50 MPH. It really does sound like your rig is down on power and something's not well. A supercharger would just be a band-aid unless you find what's ailing it. Check engine light on?
To continue the conversation, my best MPG's was 21 on a road trip through Oregon. Once you get to a state where they don't put ethanol in the gas it really makes a difference. California puts in 10% in all their blends but it kills gas mileage on these older 4Runners, the ECU's can't compensate for it so they just burn more fuel. I average around 16 MPG's now when I used to get 18 before the switch in fuel and my average is slowly trending down.
