3rd Gen MPG

How much MPG would a 2000 4x4 4runner get with a 3” lift and 33s with stock gears, and after market bumpers, and a roof rack be, and not driving too fast and keeping it to speed limit on hwy

 

40MPG, maybe 50MPG on a good day.



If you’re worried about the gas mileage, don’t get it.

 

Well, for starters, CV axles and boots will be much more costly to go through than gas because 3" of lift is too much.

Second, there are different gear ratios depending on your powertrain setup. Hell, you didn't even list what powertrain you're asking about.

Let's not forget the wheel type, whether they're stock, heavy steel wheels, or lighter aluminum type.

You only mentioned 33s, but you failed to mention what load range those tires are. Big difference from E and C load tires.

Maintenance will really make a bit of a difference as well.

Even if you listed everything I mentioned above, and another member chimed in with the exact setup you describe, the two of you can still have different findings.

Just assume it'll be far worse than what the factory listed, and live with it. If it's really a concern, don't buy one.

 

I assume you either mis-typed, or are being extremely sarcastic. 4 to 5 would at least be closer.

 

@Doubleduty
You read that correct. My 4R with 40” and 6” lift kit gets around 60mpg. Being tall, the air passes easily under the car, no drag. The larger the tires, the better due to the inertia from the unsprung weight.

 

Another tip: don't wash your truck. Dirt helps break up the air flow from sticking to your truck, causing more drag. You're welcome. Welcome to the madhouse, 3rdGen!

 

If the OP is serious, then this is cruel.

 

mileage on 3rd gens...dicey..they are thirsty

 

Donut Media on YT did a series where they built 2 1st gen Taco double cabs up with the mods you mentioned, and IIRC they got 12 and 14 mpg on the road trip.

It's a pretty good series, I recommend it.

 

3rd gens are the best gen, IMO, but yes, they love gasoline. I guess it's just a 4Runner thing. My old '86 22RE 4banger was no better!

 

the mpgs on my 3rd gen were near identical to what i am getting with my 5th gen. i knew what i was getting into when i bought another one.

 

My ‘99 Tacoma was on 31”s. It got 15 mpg average empty city/hwy 50/50ish. On road trips empty/lightly loaded it got 15-16 unless I was doing 70+ then it dropped off to 13-14. Loaded with gear, pets, chow, water on a long trip it got 11. A 3rd gen 4Runner should be in that ballpark. There will always be some getting better, some getting worse. My advice: if you do not need 33”s, do not get 33”s. It is bad enough with 31”s.

 

Heck, it's bad enough running stock!

 

Since we just got our 97 4runner with V6, I wanted to see how we were doing on mileage. We just did our 2nd fill up, about 80% highway miles, 250 miles, 11.1 gallons, over 22 mpg! We are conservative drivers and hold it to 60 and below. This was better than expected.

I should mention, it's all stock, but running studded snow tires.

 

About what I would expect for highway miles and your driving style. Would probably even do a little better with highway tread tires. ( 32psi )

 

If anyone has the best configuration for 3rd gen fuel economy its me. I have a 5 spd 4 cylinder, no lift, no mods that affect fuel economy, stock tire size with tires that are designed for 80% on road driving (meaning they aren't very aggressive for AT tires). While my car is pretty much optimized for mpg, my driving style isn't; most normal driving I go 5 mph above speed limit, on the highway I go much further above like 5-15 depending on traffic, location, and confidence to see potential dangers.

That in mind I get 17.8-19 city, and 20-21 highway. I keep track of all this, unfortunately I lost a lot of data when I ran my phone over. My all time record was 324 miles on a tank and the gas light hadn't turned on, it came out to 24 mpg. This record was before I did a lot of MPG beneficial work, like fix exhaust leaks and valve adjustments. From what I've read the V6 owners are usually 1 mpg lower that what I get.

 

I gave up on checking mileage for my 2000 V-6 5 Speed after I mounted 31 inch tires. I think I’m in the 15 to 19 range overall. Nothing to brag about, but you can live with it.