Smaller rims/tires for 95 4runner for better MPG

rumme

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what would be the smallest avaliable rims/tires for a 1995 toyota 4 runner ? I figure going with smaller/ thinner/lighter tires would add a few mpg and I dont need the large 31x10.5 tires because I only do highway driving.

thanks.
 
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The engine will turn more for every wheel turn, so at highway speeds, best case scenario, you will likely get a worse mileage.
Plus, your speedo will be off (as mine is with 225's on instead of the stock 31" tires)
For best mileage, I suggest the smoothest tires you can get in the proper size, and get your foot out of it.
 
Smaller diameter tires won't give you what you're looking for but thinner tires will mean less rotating mass so that may help.
 
Smaller diameter tires won't give you what you're looking for but thinner tires will mean less rotating mass so that may help.

this would mean I need to buy diiferent size rims..correct ? or can I mount thinner tires then the stock 31 x 10.5 , on these stock rims ? If so, whats the thinnes tire that would mount on the 1995 4runner stock rims >?

thanks.
 
Tires and mileage

I wouldn't change the tire size without looking into a couple of other things first:

What type of tire are you running? A wide or aggressive off-roade tire will get worse mileage than an A/T or 'highway' tire.

Also, what tire pressure are you running? The nameplate on the truck recommends settings for load capacity and comfort but the tire sidewall often lists a higher allowable pressure. I run mine at 35 psi+ (cold) on the highway and air down for gravel or more for trails.
 
i've usually found that changing air pressure is the best way to squeeze an extra 1.5- 2 mpg out of your rig. the toyota development team designed the entire vehicle to operate at best condition with the stock tire size. you go with a smaller tire and turn higher rpms (losing gas milage) and gain a little acceleration because of turning less mass and having technically a lower gear/tire ratio. going to a larger tire lowers rpms (increasing milage) but once you weigh in the extra mass of the tire and the fack that because you have now raised the gear ratio you must open the throttle more to keep it going... you loose gas milage. i'd recommend a tune up, new slightly oversized highway (not thick, heavy, bad ass off road tires) tires with slightly higher than normal tire pressure (but DO NOT exceed the max press. on the tire wall) combined with a light foot and if possible find a semi to trail to cut down on wind turbulence.. you will deff see and increase in gas milage. i got 35 mpg with my 94 celica doing this when i was driving back and forth between cali and az.
 
all 4 of my tires say " 50" psi max/cold on sidewall...so thats what I put in them

since these tires are 31x10.5 ...wouldnt gas mileage improve if I went with
31x 8 ? less width of tire, means less contact with road and lighter weight in each tire.
 
If you had 31s factory, you could try 30x9.5s in a tame tread. I went from 235/75s (~29" tall by 8.5" wide) to 31x10.5 (aggressive ATs in the form of General Grabber AT2s and mud terrains for summer) but re-geared from 4.10 to 4.56 and my gas mileage has stayed pretty much the same even with the wider and more aggressive tread.
 

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