Getting the most from the I4

I've love my 17 5 speed. 45k miles on it now and can agree, 3k-3500 is a sweet spot for hills. But i cruise at 2500 most the time on highway with no issues

Definitely not the truck to "tacomabeast". I can't imagine 35's and 300 lbs in bumpers would turn out so great.
I've had 32's on for 20k and just did an ome 2" lift and it rides amazing, but the larger tire really did kill the take off speed, and took 2 mpgs off.
When she was new i got 25 all day, now a days I'm sitting at about 21 mpg.
Its a great truck and as long as you don't tow, its perfectly fine. Mine is a remote camping and dirtbike hauling machine and I plan to have it for many years.