MPG Mods

I put add a leaf springs under the rear of mine. Easy install 50 bucks from Rough Country

 

I just added a K_N bought from local auto parts store had it in stock

 

Ya I recently did a road trip (300 miles each direction) and averaged almost 27mpg. We lucky... me likey!

 

I am curious about the mileage effect of putting on a header, mainly at highway speeds.
Since the typical highway speed for a 4cyl 4x4 results in being in the 3000rpm ballpark, you are getting into the area where the headers should be helping horsepower and potentially making it easier for the motor to maintain speed and overcome wind resistance.
My feeling is that even if you are only improving 1/2mpg, it will pay for itself over the life of the vehicle since they last forever.

Thoughts?

 

Im thinking the same. Everyone says the rpm drops with a good style header, so theres no way in flippin hell the mpg wont improve

 

I have the manual so im at 4.10 gears and do about 2600rpm at 70mph in 5th. The auto runs about 2200-2300rpm at 70mph with 3.73 rear gears. Headers seems to show over 3k and even without one if you get over that in the I-4 you get great power but crappy mpg. So it's pay to play either way. I think at $400 for headers it would take 70,000 miles to pay off even a 2mph increase, but i'll be doing the LCE next year for sure.

 

In the pursuit of MPG, too much money being spent on mods that will not pay for themselves over the span of ownership.

 

You are Correct Sir ! IMHO

 

I am looking more for getting close to break even for a mod that adds a little power than for something with any real payback.

The dyno charts seem to show the uptick in power starting between 2500 and 3000, so it would seem that with more power you could back off the go-pedal a little and still maintain speed.

 

exactly. Slapping a header on there is for the little power and sound. Getting the pocket book back to even with a bit better mpg is just gravy
Modding and power is just awesome. I once paided $1200 + tax for a custom made intake manifold to get me from 296 to 309 whp. I dont and never will regret it either

 

i installed an lce header myself and not sure if i really noticed a big diff. rpm's around 2300 @ 65mph def not over 2500 though. havnt ran a full tank through it yet. when i bought the 4 banger didnt really think it would be much of a dog, thinkin about gettin a turbo or buyin a v6.

 

The auto in that model also has 4.11 axle ratio. It's the V6 that has 3.73's. The reason for the lower rpm in OD with the auto vs the 5 spd is the auto has a 29% overdrive as compared to the manual's 19%. 1 to .71 for the auto vs 1 to .81 for the 5 spd manual.

Headers may help top end power on the 2.7, but I wonder if it will hurt low end torque? The stock manifold on the 2TR-FE looks very much like a long runner tube type header.

Not trying to anger anybody, but I don't understand using this type vehicle for long distance high speed commutes. Certainly not very efficient for that purpose. I live an a rural area, in between mountains. It does snow here, and 4x4 is useful, as is a pickup. I don't get on an interstate but a handful of times per year. I certainly wouldn't think of using a Tacoma as a long distance commuter vehicle at interstate speeds. Rough on the fuel bill, nerves, and probably not too safe either...

 

Not safe to use a Tacoma on the highway?

I was actually thinking about this the other day...I can get over 25 MPG's on the highway with 1000 lbs in the bed. What other vehicle on the road today can do that?

 

Depends on what you call a highway. Opinions vary, but I wouldn't want to drive a pickup on interstates at 65+ mph on a regular basis. Pickups have a high center of gravity, a stiff suspension, slow steering ratio, and are very light in the rear when unloaded. The average driver is far safer in most any modern car, than in a pickup. You wouldn't believe the wrecks I used to see in bad weather when I drove a truck. Most due to people that didn't know how to drive a 4x4 pickup or SUV on slick roads.

As for what other vehicle could do that? Some small SUV's could haul that weight and get that mileage or better. even though they don't have a bed like a pickup. A Subaru Forester would be a good example, and would be safer for most people in that environment...

 

I've never once felt unsafe driving a truck on the highway...that notion is just insane.

And too bad you can't fit anything large inside a small SUV or Subie...like furniture, etc. And what if you need to haul more than that? I've done 1700 lbs without an issue...I'm pretty sure that's beyond any unibody vehicles limits.

 

You may not feel unsafe. However, feeling safe doesn't make you any safer. Most people feel safer in a car than in an airplane. They aren't but that doesn't change the way they feel. You, nor anyone else, will convince me that the average driver isn't safer in the average car than in a pickup.

I agree with you about the payload, and cargo room. However, the original question was over hauling 1000lbs, and many smaller SUV's could do that just fine. Also, 1700lbs is over your Tacoma's GVWR, by design, and DOT laws. None of my business, but just saying...

 

And by the way, I never said that trucks were safer than cars. I said trucks are not UNSAFE to drive on the highway...that is utterly ridiculous. Trucks are what literally "drives" this country. I'm guessing that you believe Semi's are the most unsafe vehicles on the road?

And I know it's above GVWR...but luckily there's a factor of safety that engineers at Toyota figured out. Realistically, I probably wouldn't run into any real issues until I get to about 2000 lbs.

 

I am a first time truck and first time Toyota owner. I bought a pre-owned 2008 TRD sport 4x4 dbl cab long bed. I've decided that the mfg. stated 20mpg is way better than my Explorer I traded in. The best way to keep gas in your tank and money in wallet is to start eating Ramen noodles and save yourself 50 bucks a week to negate rising fuel cost.

 

well I promise you gas is more expensive here lol. over 5.30 a gal

 

Yeah man you got me beat. We're at 3.70. Over 5 bucks is pretty harsh. Sorry about that.