General questions

I like these Trucks but the MPG has been my hold up on owning one. I see where a 24 average is doable and wondered if anyone had modded one to try for more. I would be interested in the large cab model (not sure if they make the one with small doors vs 4 regulare ones), 4cyl/AT. Will lowering one help? Gear change maybe? Less restrictive air intake? Computer re boot? I know rear end gears are $ but taller tires may raise the truck and negate any savings? Is is possible to buy a stripped down version (no power windows- just need A/C and cruise.) Thanks, George

 

They make these trucks as base as you can imagine. Best thing to do is to go into a dealer amd see what they have available in their area or in neighboring states. They might be able to get their hands on one for you.

 

Mileage with these trucks has the most to do with you. If you mod it and put a lift and bigger tires etc your mileage will suffer. If you drive like me, like a grandpa with a egg under his foot, you will do better. I'm sure there is a truck out there that meets your requirements might just take you a little while to find.

 

Thanks for the replies!

I am almost a grandpa and do drive very conservatively, but, I'm spoiled as the 2012 Focus 6sp Dual Clutch AT delivers 40 mpg on the road and about 34 in town.

But......... has anyone tried to lower/lighten/air intake/calibrate the computer/change the final gear ratio?

 

I am sure that some of these things can be adjusted. But there are many things that will prevent a truck from achieving the MPGs of a car. Like most on here will say, if you want mpg, you are better off with a compact car. After all, the Tacoma is still a truck and will consume fuel like a truck. Just my $0.02.

 

Start reading about hypermiling...

http://www.google.com/search?site=&....0...1c..32.mobile-gws-hp..0.1.44.vjSTLR6sSoM

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9845

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/toyota-tacoma-13893.html

 

I listened to a Stuff You Should Know podcast about this a while back... Couldn't help thinking that it sounds like a LOT of extra wear and tear on power train components... Probably enough so that whatever money you save in MPGs will be dumped back into new starters, etc.

 

Only if your doing things like coasting in neutral going downhill with an automatic trans, or shutting the engine off at every light.

Some of what these guys do aerodynamic wise/weight reduction/rolling resistance makes sense and the only harm would be looking like a dork from your aero mods and a harsh ride/funky tire wear from over inflated skinny tires...