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I have a 2005 4x4 Access Cab 4.0 V6 6 speeed stick with a Snugtop shell on it all the time. I bumped the tires to 265/75R16 Michellin LTX truck tires (from the 265/70R16 Goodrich's). Using a GPS over many long trip with these tires, the distance traveled is about 6.5% more than what shows on the odometer.
Accounting for the 6.5% difference, my mileage is only a disappointing 14 around town and about 18 on freeway only travel. My 1999 V6 Tacoma ExtraCab with shell got about 16 around town and 21 on the freeway. That engine was not nearly as sophisticated as the one in the '05. I've added a K&N air filter and am about to change to all synthetic oil (Mobil One) with about 14k miles on it.
Any suggestions about what other changes I can make to improve mileage at this point is welcome.
The synthetic oil may make a slight difference but probably not a drastic one.
I would suggest switching out the differential fluids. Also, lightening the use of your right foot will help as well.
I use FP60 in my truck. You may want to consider it (Info Here).
I regularly get around 16 or 17 mpg with about 75% city driving. The best I've ever gotten was 20mpg, all highway.
On my '06 TRD Sport V6 6speed, I had problems like I was new to sticks, but that's all I've driven for more than 35 years. I have observed the following:
a. the truck loves to shift on revs -- preferably high revs
b. while some vehicles are forgiving on the occasional lugging, this one is not
c. heel and toe just is not possible -- the tacoma requires a full removal of accelerator and clutch pedal, respectively
d. at higher speeds -- as in shifting from 4 to 5 to 6 and back down, the difference in smoothness is noticeable
You mentioned freeway driving. Does that involve creeping along and alot of idling? If yes, then your mileage is atypical for the Toyota v-6. That is, your not typical to consider true mileage calculations.
Don't forget tire pressure. and stay away from overdoing the bolt-on stuff like Westin grills. Happy truckin'.
Not true.
They are 100% forward and backward compatible with each other.
In fact Auto-Rx recommends that you switch from synthetic back to dino in order for their product to work correctly and efficiently. Then you can go back to synthetic if you choose.
I talked to a Toyota mechanic a couple of weeks ago and it sounds like I don't have any sort of ongoing problem with my truck. These things are intensely monitored and will throw a "check engine" code if things are out of whack. You're pretty clearly getting better mileage than I am and I'm still not sure what to make of it. Tires were recently rotated and pressure was checked, so I down this is the problem. Oh well.
I have a stock 05 DC 4x4 6sp. Stock BFGs. No major mods. Only added a roll-up tonneau. No K&N. I use Toyota 5W-30 oil and filter. I've long switched to 87 gas (buying only BP/Amoco, Exxon, Mobil, Sunoco gas and in a few instances, Shell).
In warmer weather I get 16 city and 20 hi-way (sticker)@ speeds lesser than 65 mph keeping RPMs around 2300. In winter, mpg sometimes goes as low as 14-17 but I usually get 15-18. I have GPS. For every 25 miles traveled, only 24 shows on the odometer (about 4% difference). I don't even use that 4% difference when computing the gas mileage (as an offset to fill-up level). I keep the tire pressure at 34 psi. I use cruise control most of the time.
I had the truck since Nov 04 and my share of grumbling about gas mileage in the first 5K miles. 35K miles later, it's doing just fine.
TRUE. Shift on low rev (or gas pedal slightly off) and it gets that dreaded clunk especially from 1st to 2nd. (and there goes the MPG...)
c. heel and toe just is not possible -- the tacoma requires a full removal of accelerator and clutch pedal, respectively
LOL. I tried wearing heavy boots but it got worse. Some people have modified the pedal throw. Not sure how it went though as I wasn't too interested doing it.
Would be curious to know what the extra 3 switches you have are for on the left side of the dash...
Check my CarDomain for pics and info. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/832238
I got the switches here http://www.4x4mods.com/
And here's an extra pic just to show off my new battery and wiring. I'm in the process of adding a monster sound system, so I've beefed up the electrical system. Bigger charging and grounding cables.
kcram - Pickups Host
I plan on replacing the Head with an Alpine(cda-9857) unit, but haven't purchased that as of yet. I wasn't planning on an Amp nor subwoofers.
The speakers are out and the new ones are ready to be installed, but....I'm not sure has to how the wiring takes place?
The 693.7i, have an "in-line crossover". Do you use the existing speaker wire coming through the door and connecting it to the "crossover" or do you run new speaker wire?
Where does the "crossover" get installed? In the door? And if so, should you be concerned with moisture getting into the crossover?
If you use the existing speaker wire, do you disconnect and remove the factory tweeter?
Sure could use the help...Thanks, Ed
If you're installing a new tweeter off of your crossover then you will need to run wires from your crossover directly to the tweeter. The factory just has the tweeter wired in paralled with the woofer. Behind the door panel they have the joint all taped up. Just cut the tape off and you'll see which wires go where.
Here's the wire colors.
Front left + is a pink wire
Front left - is purple
Front right + is light
front right - is blue
Rear left + is black
Rear left - is yellow
Right rear + is red
Right rear - is white
Mine is home to a lot of miscellaneous but important extras, tucked in the back. Also have to have room for 110 pounds of Bernese Mountain Dog, who tends to leave a cloud of mostly black hair in his wake.
I'm envious of yours. Not even sure mine looked that good the day I picked it up.
Keeping the interior clean is easy if you don't let it get too messy. To keep it clean I mostly use a dry towel for dusting and boars hair brush for getting dust out of the little nooks and crannies. I use 303 Aerospace protectant on the vinyl, plastic, and leather surfaces. It's a light protectant that adds a lot of protection and just a tiny bit of shine, which is how I like it.
Here's a good thread on how to care for your truck.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t126955.html
Oh, how did you pull the TRD stickers off the sides of the bed? I'm thinking about doing it, but haven't decided yet. I'm also hoping that after a year and 4 months, I won't have paint fading...
I used a heat gun to take off the decals. Just warm it up and then pick at the corner and just pull it off. It left some sticky stuff behind, so I used Goo Gone to clean it up, and then polished and waxed. Be sure to use Goo Gone, not Goof Off. Goof Off is too strong of a chemical to use on your paint. To remove the emblems use a fishing line behind the emblem and saw it back and forth to cut through the foam adhesive.
You won't have any fading. I just took the last remaining emblems off of my tailgate. My truck is over a year old. There wasn't any fading on the tailgate behind the emblems. My truck is completely shaved now. ha ha
Here she is from the front. I'll post some more pics after the lift and tires go on in a week or so.
As the world's worst photographer, I tip my hat! :shades:
What lift are you getting? Are you using the stock wheels, or changing those out?
I like the Donahoe Racing kits (although slightly expensive), mainly, because they use all stock mounting points. I'd also like to use the original 17" wheels, but finding tires in stock is somewhat difficult, but nothing that Discount Tire cannot order. I just wonder if I would have to use wheel spacers so that I would not get rubbing...
I like your front grill too, I went with the Lund Screenfront, with the black plastic. I think it looks pretty good.
I am considering purchasing the Tacoma 4x4 TDR Sport w/ long bed and 4.0L V-6... and i'm curious about it's real "truck" abilities.
I presently own a Dodge RAM 1500 short box w/ the V-8 318.
I realize the two trucks can't be compared in the same class, but I drove the Tacoma and really like it. My only concern is that 10% of the time that I may miss the "big truck" abilities.
I have a boat (cabin cruiser, 23 foot SeaRay w/ 350 v-8) weighing approx. 7000 pounds, but i only drive 10-15 miles with it four times per year (out of storage, into the lake, out of the lake, and back into storage). If I traveled more with the boat i definitely would be looking for something larger than the Tacoma.
The max. tow rating on the tacoma is 6500 lb... think it can handle the above mentioned?????Thanks
I tow with mine all the time and I probably wouldn't do that.
I'd probably rent something (an empty Ryder or U-Haul 14-16 footer would do well) or pay a boat yard to move it, if that's the only time I needed the bigger truck. Otherwise, I'd just keep the Dodge.
For wheels I ordered a pair of 17" Boze Forged wheels. Model: Stinger 6 with charcoal powdercoated spokes, and polished lip. http://www.bozeforged.com/
For tires I got GoodYear Wrangler Silent Armor 275/70/17
The wheels should be here in about a week. I'm ordering the suspension tomorrow (Friday) morning.
The hood scoop is simply appearance....
Cars with carb's and air breathers that can't fit under the hood have real scoops. Cooling is accomplished through the front grill/radiator.
If you really wanted to, the hood could probably be removed and the front of the air scoop cut out leaving just a grill to cover the opening.... but then when it rains you need to realize that water will get into the engine compartment!
When the companies rate their trucks for towing, they go out on the road, up and down hills, across hot lakebeds, stuff like that. They see how much weight they can carry without overheating or other problems. I don't think you will have any problem driving a short distance as long as you are not going up steep hills and as long as you have good trailer brakes (not surge brakes, cause they do you no good backing down the ramp).
The tires should be pretty good, not too knobby, not to streetish, good for off-road, and quiet for highway driving.
Are you doing the installation yourself, or having a shop do it? If you are having a shop do it, how did you pick one?
Please put some pictures up when you get it finished. That thing is going to be like the Stealth B2!
Sure it does probably add a nice sound, but is there much of a horse power gain (if so any idea how much)? :confuse:
I was thinking to add that and replace the air breather with a K&N (two of the simplest things to increase horsepower - increase air intake and exhaust).
Hoping that with increased horsepower the peak torque may also increase a little for towing purposes. :mad:
Anyone know why?? it seems as though this would be a desirable option especially if close to (or over) the max. tow rating... Possibly not recommended because it may result in the owner deciding to tow even more weight...?
does anyone know why the owners book says they (TOY) recommend NOT using a weight distribution hitch set up with the this truck. The dealer stumbled on this question?
I have been noticing a very high pitched, almost beeping, noise inside the cab when doing about 80MPH, and having a heavy head wind, or slight cross wind. I added the Lund Screen front, thinking it was probably something in front of the radiator. That did not fix the problem, nor change the behavior of the sound. Now I noticed today, that the engine skid plate has some little side scoops that hang down below the engine, where air could possibly catch them, and make them vibrate. The drivers side seemed like it hung down more, so I bent it up to match the passenger side. I was wondering if the front skid plate covers this part up, on the engine skid plate, and secondly, does the front skid plate replace or over lap, the engine skid plate?
I used a hair dryer to remove my TuRD stickers this afternoon, then Goof Gone to get the sticky stuff off. Worked great. I also removed the Toyota badge above the Tacoma badge on the tailgate.
Add to that, I also added the DynoLock electric tailgate lock. Well, almost. I've got the tailgate part done, just got to run the wires up from the gate to the cab, and I'll be done.
I'm getting ready to wash her now, once things cool down a bit...
Will have to order one when I get back from being out of town.
Thanks for the tips.