my Dad had a 1985 2WD Toyota pickup and he siad it would get like 24 MPGS highway. we were wondering if it were possible to convert a 1ST gen 4runner to full-time 2WD using doner parts off of a 80's pickup.
1ST GEN 4Runner 2WD conversion
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With the hubs unlocked its no different than a 2wd as far as the running gear is concerned. The difference is the the lower axle gears (numerically higher) in the 4Runner 4.11 vs probably 3.73 in the pickup and the overall weight difference. The 4Runner probably weighs 1200 pounds more than the pickup.
If your 4Runner is an 84-85 you can't remove any of the front axle stuff. If its an 86-89 about the only thing you can do is remove the front axles and 3rd member and also change it to a 2wd transmission so you can remove the transfer case. This will require a different length driveshaft. Even after that the gain in fuel economy is negligable.
You should be getting about 19mpg with your 4runner unless its a v6. All of the expenses involved in doing all of this work would offset any savings in gas, plus it would kill the resale value of your 4runner
If your 4Runner is an 84-85 you can't remove any of the front axle stuff. If its an 86-89 about the only thing you can do is remove the front axles and 3rd member and also change it to a 2wd transmission so you can remove the transfer case. This will require a different length driveshaft. Even after that the gain in fuel economy is negligable.
You should be getting about 19mpg with your 4runner unless its a v6. All of the expenses involved in doing all of this work would offset any savings in gas, plus it would kill the resale value of your 4runner
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As mentioned, the biggest reason for the slight reduction in mileage is due to weight, both in chassis and also the wheels/tires. Tearing out all the 4WD stuff won't gain you anything, since when the transfer case is in 2WD and the hubs are unlocked it's essentially the same thing.
Get the 22RE running well, spend the time and $$ on tuneup parts. You could install a header and 2-2/4" exhaust, but you'll never get your money back. I generally get 20 mpg around town, even when I have the 35's on. On the highway with the 33's I have seen as much as 22.5 mpg.
Get the 22RE running well, spend the time and $$ on tuneup parts. You could install a header and 2-2/4" exhaust, but you'll never get your money back. I generally get 20 mpg around town, even when I have the 35's on. On the highway with the 33's I have seen as much as 22.5 mpg.
Yeah, I get into this conversation quite frequently with ppl that think; "4WD's are heavy and you're carrying all that extra weight around"...
It's not the Gov-Loc Chevy the shafts turn up to a certain speed... or IFS Chevy that the shafts turn all the time.
And it's not a Ferd with a push button 4WD...
The TC is relatively light and compact, and I'd say it's not even worth the removal to have to replace the tranny and custom rear slip yoke drive shaft...
So then you're left with the front stub axle, shafts and DS... Ok, what 200lbs?
In the scheme of things I say it's not worth removing it... That weight is almost nothing divided by 4 wheels (but biased all the way to the front) and considering it's rolling weight...
Not to mention the 1st time you NEED (need, not want) 4WD, and it's not there...
I've thought about this 2WD conversion too, but I wound up thinking just use a real high gears out of a V6 2wd, and the front gears (if IFS) out of a 2WD... But I've got a 84, so my suspension is the axle... And I use 8" chunks...
But if you do that, consider it a Honda Accord from then on out, b/c your days of pulling anything are over...
If you really want mileage, there's also a Diesel... Gas engines are real bad on gas. They depend on a vacuum and if it's ever low, consuming more gas is the compensator.
It's not the Gov-Loc Chevy the shafts turn up to a certain speed... or IFS Chevy that the shafts turn all the time.
And it's not a Ferd with a push button 4WD...
The TC is relatively light and compact, and I'd say it's not even worth the removal to have to replace the tranny and custom rear slip yoke drive shaft...
So then you're left with the front stub axle, shafts and DS... Ok, what 200lbs?
In the scheme of things I say it's not worth removing it... That weight is almost nothing divided by 4 wheels (but biased all the way to the front) and considering it's rolling weight...
Not to mention the 1st time you NEED (need, not want) 4WD, and it's not there...
I've thought about this 2WD conversion too, but I wound up thinking just use a real high gears out of a V6 2wd, and the front gears (if IFS) out of a 2WD... But I've got a 84, so my suspension is the axle... And I use 8" chunks...
But if you do that, consider it a Honda Accord from then on out, b/c your days of pulling anything are over...
If you really want mileage, there's also a Diesel... Gas engines are real bad on gas. They depend on a vacuum and if it's ever low, consuming more gas is the compensator.
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make sure it has manual hubs unlock them and it is in two wheel drive, not worth it to remove all the 4wheel drive components.
or buy a two wheel drive toyota pickup for a daily driver, it would probably be cheaper.
or buy a two wheel drive toyota pickup for a daily driver, it would probably be cheaper.
Buy a Celica for a DD. I get 34 mpg.
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Or buy a Honda Civic... I've got over 40 mpg in my 87, average around 34... Don't try to make it do something that it's not meant for...
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well I would need it as a work vehicle that on weekends I could throw some buddies in it and go hiking and what not. the theory I thought was the rolling reststance of the 4WD that was killing the milage. every diesel conversion I've seen costs too much money for me unlees you know of any good doner vehicles that could be aquired for less than $500. if left alone, what kind of milage would it get? if it's like 18-20 I'd be happy for now. my small buisness makes it up.
thanks for the help- I truly am a newbie at this sort of thing.
thanks for the help- I truly am a newbie at this sort of thing.
The only way you could justify a diesel swap would be if the current 22RE was junk and not fixable, AND you had basically a free diesel engine sitting there to install. You'll still have to spend a bunch of time and $$$ on getting it installed. You'll never get your money back.
What kind of mileage are you getting now? 18-20 is totally possible, if running well. Sounds like you're considering a purchase. Buying a vehicle this old is always a gamble, mostly it's a purchase of passion, you just gotta have it. Otherwise, there are lots of newer vehicles out there that will get better mileage, probably more reliable too.
What kind of mileage are you getting now? 18-20 is totally possible, if running well. Sounds like you're considering a purchase. Buying a vehicle this old is always a gamble, mostly it's a purchase of passion, you just gotta have it. Otherwise, there are lots of newer vehicles out there that will get better mileage, probably more reliable too.
They're about what? 500lbs heavier, punch a bigger hole in the air that a 2WD and lave 4:11 rather than 3:50 - 3:90 gears...
I'd say it's not the 4WD...
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If you keep a 1st Gen 4Runner bone stock, and it has a 22RE and a 5 speed, and you drive it nice, and don't live in the hills..... Then it's not inconceivable to get over 20 mpg regularly.
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I currently have 1991 landcruiser with hiflow exaust and it only gets like 10-12 MPG
I'm looking to sell it soon. and I only want a first gen 4runner because, guess why, the roof comes off! for the $$ I'd also consider a 60-62 landcruiser.
I'm looking to sell it soon. and I only want a first gen 4runner because, guess why, the roof comes off! for the $$ I'd also consider a 60-62 landcruiser.
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You won't get much better mileage in a 60-62.
Yeah, you really can't do much better, the 3FE is a great engine, durable and reliable, but it is not an economy car. I tried everything I could with my '62 and all I ever got was about 13.5 mpg. Biggest reason why I don't own it anymore.
They built 2wd 1st gen 4runners. all the suspension is the same as a 4wd. 2wd truck parts will not work, unless you use the whole 2wd truck frame. stock 2wd are minus front thirds and shafts with caps on the inside of the front knuckles and plates or drive flanges over the holes the lockouts usually bolt to. I have heard that they have a dummy t-case on them, but do not remember looking under it to see if this was true. It can be done, but you are only dropping maybe 150 pounds from the total weight of the vehicle. And no change in rotational mass as long as you have manual locking hubs to begin with. A 4wd to 2wd conversion would not make sense and would hardly make a difference in your gas mileage. Better off finding a 2wd truck to commute in.
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They must be rare as hens teeth... Have you seen one personally?
Yes. Needed some frame repair.
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the 62 has the same motor as a 91' cruiser doesn't it? my dad seems to think a 62 gets much better mileage because of part-time 4WD and not full-time 4WD like mine.
Same 3FE engine yes. Same tranny. Different transfer case, obviously, to enable AWD. Several folks in the 80's section have converted to part-time, with negligible improvement in mileage. Probably because an 80 is a lot heaver than an FJ62.
DanS HJ-45
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Dear Lord this mileage talk scares me!
I drove the faux-lux about 500 miles today (Denver to Albuquerque) with a !FZ-FE and A442f loaded in the back and was shocked, absolutely shocked to only get 25MPG when I filled up down here.
The general idea is right. In my case the 22RE was shot, so I put in a 2LT-E and sold the core 22R-E. I have made my money back, but I put a LOT of miles on my trucks. Of course, as soon as the head goes on my 2LT-E, I'll throw that equation out the window, but so far....
If you want a diesel, get a diesel. If you just want to save money, then save money. Diesel isn't necessarily the way to fix that problem per se... But it could be, for the right situation.
Dan
I drove the faux-lux about 500 miles today (Denver to Albuquerque) with a !FZ-FE and A442f loaded in the back and was shocked, absolutely shocked to only get 25MPG when I filled up down here.
The general idea is right. In my case the 22RE was shot, so I put in a 2LT-E and sold the core 22R-E. I have made my money back, but I put a LOT of miles on my trucks. Of course, as soon as the head goes on my 2LT-E, I'll throw that equation out the window, but so far....
If you want a diesel, get a diesel. If you just want to save money, then save money. Diesel isn't necessarily the way to fix that problem per se... But it could be, for the right situation.
Dan
