Beams swapped Tacoma?

Okay. I’ve had my 02 Tacoma with the 3.4L v6 for a couple years now and have been pretty tired of the fuel mileage it’s been getting (8-12 mpg). I was curious on if a beams swapped 1st gen Tacoma has ever happened. I know the 4wd would kill the mileage a good amount on one of those engines but even if it got 15 mpg I’d be happier then what it’s been getting. The main things I’d like to know is if the beams could handle a 4wd drivetrain and if the transmission would link up at all. I’d like to go for the 5th gen black top just for the vvti and I’d like to go with a turbo for the extra power to push around the bigger tires I’ve got. Thanks in advance to anyone who knows anything!

 

What did you do to your truck to get 8-12mpg?

 

What’s a beams swap?

And welcome to TW! Got any pics of your truck?

 

265/75 duratracs and a 3 inch lift. Before it would get 19 consistently but the tires and lift killed the mileage

 

I'm running a lift with the same size tires plus armor and I get 17mpg consistently. I think you have other issues.

 

A beams is the Toyota 3sge engine. Mainly swapped into the ae86 corollas and it’s been done to a handful of Hilux trucks as well. It’s a 2L 4 banger

 

Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

How many miles are on your truck and what maintenance have you don in the years you've had it since the mileage got so bad? My mileage started slipping down to around 14mpg. After an engine tune-up (timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, ignition wires) and a shift kit in the automatic trans I'm up to 17mpg again.

 

Ah okay. Sounds interesting.

There may be something going on with your V6.
I have a lift, 33” mud terrains, full armor, 3 batteries, an extra gas tank, a fridge and my camper the I built is 7 feet off the ground and I get 14mpg.

 

265/75 tires should not bring your mileage down that low, neither will a lift. I have bigger tires than that, 3" lift, armor and a supercharger and still get about 14 - 15mpg. Sounds like you need a good tune up

 

Make sure your air filter and fuel filter are good, spark plugs, wires etc.
I think the MAF being cleaned might help. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

 

^^ this is what I would do. Clean the throttle body too. If you have a check engine light, scan it to see what the code is. A bad o2 sensor or vacuum leak can kill your mileage

 

@Brokenpinkytoe

My truck is a pig, and I still get +15mpg.

I vote maintenance like everyone else.

 

Sounds like it needs a tune up for sure then. I’ve just done plugs and oil changes so I might have to mess around with it some more. It’s only got 220km and was driven by my grandfather since brand new until he passed it down to me. He never did any work to it as he would just bring it to the dealership. I’ve only put about 5000k on it as I was a highschool student when I got it and didn’t drive around a whole bunch. Most of the km are highway driving

 

I am still interested in the beams swap though. If no ones done it I would definitely be interested to be the first as it is a pretty sweet engine and would be neat to have in a 4wd application. If someone has done it though I would appreciate any information on if it’s worth it in the end

 

Air filters a new one, I might go k&n or something aftermarket just because but I will check the maf and throttle body as they’ve never been cleaned from my knowledge

 

I do know one of the cats becomes plugged if I drive it too gentle. It gets built up but after I get it a little hot then it clears itself so I might go ahead and get a new one of those as well

 

The beams engine is suited for a road car. It likes to rev, doesnt make much bottom end torque. In a lifted truck, it would be pretty bad to daily. And mpg? Probably be the same if not worse than now.

 

The beams 3sge isn't really known for fuel mileage or torque. It's not a great candidate for a swap.

It's not even that great over here, I know of one altezza and struggles with altitude and fuel quality.

 

How about with a turbo? I don’t have any plans to beat on it in the bush. Just more trail stuff for camping every once in a while.