Any useful MPG mods on 4.0L?

So I've done a bit of research on all the speculated mods; deckplate mod, charcoal filter mod, true CAI, Short ram (WAI), drop in air filter... And no one can seem to prove that any of these mods will increase MPG.

So what I am wondering is if anyone has proof of any mod or aftermarket parts that truly increased their MPG, without sacrificing the power of the truck. Or a combination of mods/aftermarket parts that increased it.

**i know tooter has the 2.7 and did a few mods and aftermarket parts and got a big difference in power and mpg, but it seems that doesn't apply to the 4.0**

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-cylinder/34594-mpg-mods.html#post547096

Here are a few.

 

Drive with a light foot.

 

Modulation of your right foot is going to be your best 'mod' for any significant mpg increase. Don't floor it off the line, keep it under 2000rpm, and anticipate stops by coasting into them.

 

Behavior mods have been proven effective. You'll see a lot of argument about effectiveness of hardware mods.

Someone posts 'Get a Prius' in 3...2...1...

 

Manufacturers do an okay job getting mpg's out of an existing engine. Outside of replacing with a more fuel efficient engine, your best mod would be to track your mpg and modify your driving behavior to increase fuel economy.

This site lists 65+ fuel economy mods and it gets dumb really fast (remove windshield wipers to decrease drag, remove passenger side mirror, etc) which shows you how little you can do to improve efficiency design.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/fuel-economy-mpg-modifications.php

If you're that concerned, get a scangauge or ultragauge to better modify your driving behavior. Or do what my brother did and get a Prius (he's getting 50+mpg).

 

Since you have a TRD OR, your best MPG mod will be to get smaller 245 tires. This will also help your power. Also, don't have a heavy foot and don't go past 70 on the freeway.

I have a DCLB, and constantly get 23 MPG. I can easily get 24 if I drive 65 on the freeway.

 

For sale sign then buy a Prius

 

^Lol.

For me, 21mpg on the highway is fine. I'm used to an 01 F150 that maybe got 16-17 on the highway, so I'm content. Get an ultragauge (much cheaper, IMO better looking) instead of the Scangauge, monitor your driving habits. Normal stuff, don't race to stops/from them.

 

skinny tires

 

I get 21-22 mpg mixed driving in my stock OR, that is a) fine with me and b) better than my jeep with the 3.7l V6

but it's all in your driving style, if you coast and don't accelerate like your running a 1/4 mile from light to light you should be OK and your truck will last a lot longer too

 

There's always the "buy a Yaris mod" or maybe the "buy a Scion IQ" mod.
I think that's what ur looking for.

 

Ditch some weigh, and always drive down hill with a tail wind.

 

So, I have a Baja with a TRD filter (need to pop the cover and make sure). Is aFe any better?


Sorry for the "Thread jack mod"

 

at filtering, probably.

You have a K&N filter in there and K&N is known to filter like crap.

 

If (and it's a big 'if') any mod actually increases MPG, you have to consider how long it will take in gas savings to pay back the mod. Normally you are way upside down in the mod. Not worth the money. As others have said, behavioral changes are free and will actually yield mpg improvements.

 

Had a K&N air filter that previous owner installed. Went to OEM. No noticeable change in power or MPG.

 

D4D diesel conversion. http://dieseltoys.com/tacoma-diesel-conversions

 

Op to answer your question there doesn't seem to be substantial evidence that any "mod" give a mpg bump. All you can really do is make sure you don't hurt mpgs by doing mods ie lift big tyres roof rack etc.....the tacoma doesnt get finominal mpg but what I've found is that it gets consistent mpg so budgeting and trip planning is easy. And that for me is good. The last couple trips I took I came within 10$ of my projected fuel costs. That awesome in my opinion.

 

As others have said, intake and exhaust modifications are not going to guarantee you results when it comes to MPG. I've followed Tooter and while I think his numbers are accurate his driving style likely has just as much to do with his mpg's as the mods he's put in. Add on the cost of those mods and it's a wash for tens of thousands of miles.

The only three things you can alter to reliably get better mileage are tire weight, your tire rolling resistance, and your driving habits. Pick up a scangauge II or ultragauge and really try to find the best foot motions for optimal economy. Once your dunflops are toast, switch to tires with a lower rolling resistance and make sure you have the tire pressure always correct.

Technically you could also get far better mileage by chopping out all the extra little weight from your truck, like the rear seats, all those fancy gadgets like the radio, the pretty plastic molding, hell even get rid of the dash panel , but that would be going a little far. I even watched a car show where they used wall putty to seal all the little air gaps in the body paneling and got something like +1 mpg. Maybe make some custom remote control air shutters for the grill like chevy has .

Unfortunately, there is no 15 --> 30 mpg upgrade for trucks. If there was Toyota could sell millions of them and would do so. Good luck though, the Tacoma is no fuel sipper.