What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Yeah, I'm always thinking about weight...

Could you actually use 5th gear at 55 on 33s? I think you'd be at like 1800-1900RPM?

 

I didn't go 55 a whole lot, I mean this isn't 1982 anymore. But driving around I used 5th to cruise a lot. I went 60 plenty in 5th, would drop down to fourth to accelerate or pass and then go back to 5th. Could hold 70 all day in 5th even up little grades and into a head wind.

 

I did this. Well, technically not today but a couple nights ago.

 

On the last trip down to DV, I averaged $5.50/gallon, which is insane. Cheapest was in WA (surprising to me) @ 4.59, and CA was never less than $6/gallon. Though, really we shouldn't be complaining - it's still a lot cheaper than everywhere else in the world. Fuel in the park was insane (and not cheaper than everywhere else in the world, hahaha).

Here's my math:

• baseline: 62mph - 17.5mpg - 58.82 gallons @ $5.50 - $323.53 each way
• my "new" normal: 67mph - 14mpg - 71.42 gallons @ 5.50 - $392.86 each way,
• for a difference of $69.32 * 2 = $138.66 roundtrip

From there, I just extrapolated to 72-75mph, since I've never done the trip at those speeds. Still, at that point, the largest factor is wind resistance, which is actually an r^2 impact, so if a 5mph increase from 62-67 results in 3mpg loss, a 5-8mph increase at a higher speed should result in (at least) the same. Obviously other things affect that as well - power band, etc - so let's just say the loss is approximately the same as the previous 5mph increase.

So then, I would be at about 11mpg. And double the increase from $140 to $280 per trip.

And of course, my problem is that I like to stop as well, though I've sort of stopped everywhere along this route enough that I don't need to anymore . I even have my favorite gas stations and food stops now, hahaha!

 

That's a nice color Tacoma

 

You my friend have never purchased fuel in "the rest of the world" as fuel is crazy cheap in some desert countries I've been to.

 

I assumed you would route around California to avoid those prices "luckily" I won't be paying for premium soon.

I have found on my truck that the MPG do not extrapolate linearly

 

Driver door handle started to feel lopsided when I would grab it just like the passenger door did before the handle broke. So I grabbed an OEM replacement along with some of the window belt trim and threw them on. Sure makes the truck look was less beater-ish lol. Before and after shot...

 

Yeah, depends on where I'm going in the park. When I come in the west side (to explore stuff in Panamint Valley for instance), I end up in CA for a bit and bite the cost of fuel to save time. I also end up in CA to visit family on the way home sometimes. Funny how the time/cost equation all seems to even out in the end, hahaha.

Maybe I should experiment with a trip at 75mph to see what the actual result is. Would certainly be interesting if it wasn't linear for me either. I definitely didn't expect such a big difference between 50 and 62mph. And, it is just money at the end of the day; gotta spend it somewhere, and there are certainly worse places than on a trip.

Totally, I was referring to the place that most of us have the opportunity to drive - Canada, Europe, etc. where fuel is quite a bit more expensive than here at home.

 

.....those are rookie numbers, work on it!

 

I'd gladly pay Eurotrash prices for gas and not have to spend on healthcare

 

How bout we stop with the stupid fucking comments on the benefits of high gas prices?

Because we know that conversation goes one way, on this forum, before the mods show up and "clean up."

 

Then move to Europe and enjoy having the majority of your paycheck taxed to oblivion.

 

Read above.

 

It would at least be a good data set to have. I found little difference at the interstate speeds that I suspect was due to where in the power band. Problem I created was adding the supercharger as it ends up sitting in boost at that much load and the 7th just dumps fuel and gets like 11mpg.

In semi related news, stripped all the camping parts from the truck. Hoping to get the tent off this weekend

 

The local stealership was clueless when I called a few days ago and said they had the appropriate NGK's in stock. When I stopped by after work and asked the counter person looked at me as if I had just grown a second head. "We only carry ND's." Goddamn. I said I was done here and went to O'Reilly's and bought six NGK's. Got that done and also replaced a cracked original vacuum hose (the long one) with a silicone line. The others are slated to be done this weekend, except for that odd one that has two different diameters. Will probably just get another factory one. My center carrier bearing arrived as well (Spicer); I found a drive-line specialist who quoted me $180 for labor to replace all of the u-joints if I bring him the driveshaft(s) and new replacement parts. I'd do it myself but the yokes are tapered and I don't trust myself smacking them with a big dead-blow hammer.

I did notice that the u-joints on the double carden have circlips that are different than the ones on the foremost and rearmost joints (forgot which was which, it's dark now and I'm not crawling beneath my truck again).

 

That 1995 I have has been consistently doing 22mpg according to the previous owner.

 

Man, I'm so curious what's replacing. hahaha. Through all your vehicle shenanigans, the 1st gen has always been a rock for you. I hope that whatever is next gives you just as much fun!

 

I bet it gets pretty good mileage sitting at the lot

 

I drive it around. Just not a lot currently. Haven’t had the weather break enough for me to do what I need to the new bed.