1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Sensible mods for sky high gas.

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by ronman737, Apr 9, 2011.

  1. Apr 9, 2011 at 9:22 PM
    #1
    ronman737

    ronman737 [OP] Dangerous

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2011
    Member:
    #49846
    Messages:
    1,312
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Greenville, SC
    2008 4Runner 4x4 Sport
    Currently my baby is at the dealership getting the frame replaced. With gas prices getting up there im getting ready to give back my rental camry for my 2.7 4x4. The camry is getting like 36 mpg and last I checked my taco was getting about 20. I am really considering doing some extensive yet simple mods. First im thinking about replacing all of my fluids with royal purple. I saw a shade tree mechanic or trucks show a long time ago and they gained power and saved gas by doing that to a big dodge if im not mistaken. Were talking all of them tranny, t-case, gear, and motor oil. Next im going to do the electric fan mod. It just makes sense to take off parasitic parts if you dont really need them. The fan is 325 on summit.com but i think it would be worth it in power and mpg gains. Then I will attempt the airbox mod and see what happens. Then when i get a little more cash replace the exhaust with perhaps a gibson setup. I have toyota putting on some bilstein hds because they were going to charge me 125 a piece for oem toyota shocks. Oh i need some new tires too. Ive seen some pretty cool posts about tire weight and rolling mass. I am looking at firestone destination ats right now because they are capable, inexpensive, and light weight compared to many other at tires. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Apr 9, 2011 at 9:24 PM
    #2
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2008
    Member:
    #11714
    Messages:
    67,709
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Not Beech Creek
    Vehicle:
    05 Tundra SR5 (+295k AND COUNTING), 2006 F350 King Ranch 6.0L
    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Just out of curiosity, did they do a before and after dyno on that Dodge?
     
  3. Apr 9, 2011 at 9:44 PM
    #3
    ronman737

    ronman737 [OP] Dangerous

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2011
    Member:
    #49846
    Messages:
    1,312
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Greenville, SC
    2008 4Runner 4x4 Sport
    Yeah it was a whole show about royal purple. Basically a product placement episode but it was crazy. ill see if i cant find it on you tube.
     
  4. Apr 9, 2011 at 9:46 PM
    #4
    trek

    trek the boss man

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2010
    Member:
    #46171
    Messages:
    212
    Gender:
    Male
    California
    Vehicle:
    2010 tacoma sport TRD
    get another car something cheap i just got a g 35 coupe a couple days ago loving it.
     
  5. Apr 9, 2011 at 9:54 PM
    #5
    ronman737

    ronman737 [OP] Dangerous

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2011
    Member:
    #49846
    Messages:
    1,312
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Greenville, SC
    2008 4Runner 4x4 Sport
  6. Apr 9, 2011 at 9:57 PM
    #6
    ian408

    ian408 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2009
    Member:
    #25619
    Messages:
    19,071
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ian
    Santa Clara, CA
    Vehicle:
    09 Tacoma
    Just a warning about synth. If you have installed a posi rear end, you probably do not want to run synthetic in it because it will cause slip and chatter.
     
  7. Apr 9, 2011 at 9:58 PM
    #7
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut Captain

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Member:
    #23111
    Messages:
    1,884
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    18 PreRunner TRD OffRoad DCSB
    Lol g35 is neither cheap nor good on gas. If you are serious about mpg don't get an at tire; get a hwy tire instead. I would do the deck plate mod first because its the cheapest, but truth be told best way to save gas is the lead foot mod.
     
  8. Apr 9, 2011 at 10:01 PM
    #8
    trek

    trek the boss man

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2010
    Member:
    #46171
    Messages:
    212
    Gender:
    Male
    California
    Vehicle:
    2010 tacoma sport TRD
    get a civic or something
     
  9. Apr 9, 2011 at 10:03 PM
    #9
    ronman737

    ronman737 [OP] Dangerous

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2011
    Member:
    #49846
    Messages:
    1,312
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Greenville, SC
    2008 4Runner 4x4 Sport
  10. Apr 10, 2011 at 3:53 AM
    #10
    jmdaniel

    jmdaniel Has A Well Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2010
    Member:
    #44965
    Messages:
    5,338
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    Leander, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra SR5 CrewMax, 1977 FJ40 Landcruiser
    Buy a calculator. Learn how to use it. Calculate exactly how much better mpg you will get with these mods, and what that translates into, in terms of actual MONEY. compare that to the MONEY you will be laying out for the mods. Don't buy the mods, and spend your time/money in happier pursuits. People get all wrapped up I'm the mpg numbers, and never take the time to dollarize them.
     
  11. Apr 10, 2011 at 6:43 AM
    #11
    twfsa

    twfsa Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2010
    Member:
    #37997
    Messages:
    1,342
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    Omaha Ne
    Vehicle:
    04 TRD 4X4
    881 Front coils, Bilstien 5100's all the way front set to "0" Icon Dynamic's mini leafs in rear, stock tires.
    Keep your foot out of it!
     
  12. Apr 10, 2011 at 8:52 AM
    #12
    ronman737

    ronman737 [OP] Dangerous

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2011
    Member:
    #49846
    Messages:
    1,312
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Greenville, SC
    2008 4Runner 4x4 Sport
    First of all im no leadfoot by any means. Second of all I dont need a calculator to figure this out.

    Let me "dollarize" this for you.

    350miles divided by 18gallon tank = about 19.5
    368miles divided by 18gallon tank = about 20.5

    1mpg in 20mpg is lets see... oh 5 percent. So id be getting 5% better gas milage by saving 1mpg. 2mpg 10%!!!! 3 15% 4 20%

    This is where i need the calculator .

    If i drive 350 miles a week and get 19.5 mpg I will drive 18200mi using 936 gallons of gas at 3.50 per gal = $3276 per year.

    if i drive 350 miles a week and get 20.5 mpg i will drive 18200mi using 890 gallons of gas at 3.5 per = $3115 per year.

    If i drive 350 miles a week and get 21.5 mpg i will drive 18200mi using 848 gallons of gas at 3.5 per = $2968 per year

    If i drive 350 miles a week and get 22.5 mpg i will drive 18200mi using 811 gallons of gas at 3.5 per = $2838

    So going from 3276 dollars a year to 2838 dollars a year is a savings of 438 dollars per year IF gas stays at $3.50. Today its at $3.60.

    Now what kind of mods could you do with at least 438 dollars?
     
  13. Apr 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM
    #13
    SRQ TACO

    SRQ TACO Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2009
    Member:
    #16879
    Messages:
    1,475
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Damon
    Sarasota, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma 5lug Lowered & 2008 Tacoma 4x4 Lifted
    Id do the full synthetic change. Maybe also looking into a better flow exhaust like the dynomax.
     
  14. Apr 10, 2011 at 10:55 AM
    #14
    ronman737

    ronman737 [OP] Dangerous

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2011
    Member:
    #49846
    Messages:
    1,312
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Greenville, SC
    2008 4Runner 4x4 Sport
    Thanks for not being a smarty pants srq.
     
  15. Apr 11, 2011 at 5:56 AM
    #15
    jmdaniel

    jmdaniel Has A Well Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2010
    Member:
    #44965
    Messages:
    5,338
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    Leander, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra SR5 CrewMax, 1977 FJ40 Landcruiser
    You proved my point exactly. The fan alone is $325, not to mention all the other stuff you talked about, and you might save $438 in a year, if you get 3 more mpg? Throwing good money after bad, but that's just my MBA talkin'.... :D
     
  16. Apr 11, 2011 at 6:34 AM
    #16
    JeffsJeep04

    JeffsJeep04 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2011
    Member:
    #54496
    Messages:
    272
    Gender:
    Male
    WI
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD OR Premium 6MT
    No one is being a smarty pants, you need to really look at the numbers. Even with crazy gas prices, you aren't going to make up anything here. The tacoma is pretty well optimized as it left the factory, assuming you leave it as it left the factory. Make sure your spark plugs are good, fuel injectors clean, tires properly inflated, and everything is spinning freely. Biggest difference you can make is your driving style. It can't be said enough.

    That being said, I went through all the above issues and picked up a pretty significant improvement. I bought my taco about a month ago, and first few tanks were in the 17-18mpg range with mixed driving, 60-70% highway. Last tank was 21.9. Aren't going to do much better then that with a 4x4 truck on 31" AT tires. Beats the pants off of the 13-14 I was getting with my K5.
     
  17. Apr 11, 2011 at 7:02 AM
    #17
    ian408

    ian408 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2009
    Member:
    #25619
    Messages:
    19,071
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ian
    Santa Clara, CA
    Vehicle:
    09 Tacoma
    That's a buck twenty-ish a day. But, the price of oil continues to increase at a fairly rapid rate. Around here, we've seen an almost 50 cent a gallon increase in the last couple of months with no real sign the price is going to stabilize anytime soon.

    You'd be better off getting a scooter for the little stuff around town and going from 18-20 to 40+ mpg.
     
  18. Apr 11, 2011 at 7:14 AM
    #18
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2010
    Member:
    #38505
    Messages:
    3,268
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    virginia
    Vehicle:
    08 Tacoma 4x4
    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    Keep your tires properly inflated, easy on the skinny pedal, keep your bed and cab as empty as possible, and keep your tailgate UP. These are the cheapest, easiest things you can do to lower your fuel bill. Synthetic can offer extended drain intervals and increased mpg. Other mods have minimal effect vs cost.
     
  19. Apr 11, 2011 at 10:46 AM
    #19
    ronman737

    ronman737 [OP] Dangerous

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2011
    Member:
    #49846
    Messages:
    1,312
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Greenville, SC
    2008 4Runner 4x4 Sport
    Well whenever I get her back from the stealer I am just going to do the full synthetic switch. They say that summer blends of gas get you better milage anyway so we will see how things go. Like i said im just thinking about doing this stuff. There are extra benefits of getting the electric fan besides mpg. Its more efficient and its not leaching off of the engine. Id much rather pay 325 for it, than a cold air intake which does nothing for most taco owners.
     
  20. Apr 13, 2011 at 7:08 PM
    #20
    Donjello

    Donjello Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2011
    Member:
    #54413
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    NC
    Vehicle:
    98 ext cab 4x4 2.7Ltr. beat to hell
    custom hood latch, wooden front bumper w/t custom grill.
    I would love to know how much difference the synthetic fluids make. It would be cool if you did a real good mileage assessment after each mod you do. It would be some very useful information for the rest of us.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top