Advice on Commuter 4x4 pickups, suvs?

ecsong187 · Apr 3, 2007

im saving up for a commuter rig that get pretty good fuel economy. i dont want a car. i want a pickup or jeep or 4runner something along those lines that is 4x4. anyone have any advice on which rigs have the best fuel economy i will probably put a small lift and bigger tires but it will mainly be used for commuting.
thanks
edwin song

KarlVP · Apr 3, 2007

1978 Cadillac El Dorado

Tankota · Apr 3, 2007

So you want fuel economy but also a 4x4 with a lift and tires...hmmmm those usually work against each other.

Toyota diesel pickup...if ya can get one across the border. Friend of mine has one and gets 35mpg.
Hybrid suv...if ya can afford one you probably don't need to worry about fuel costs.

Dodge diesel pickup, stick, keep the skinny tires on it and don't lift it. You may be able to get around 20mpg avg.

Basically if you are gonna be a commuter, get a fuel efficient econobox and quit using up the fuel and driving up prices for the rest of us.

NotMatt · Apr 3, 2007

4 cyl. Toyota pickup, leave it stock and drive it like a granny... I got 19mpg with mine going over Stevens and back, so for commuting without pulling a mountain pass you should be able to get 20.

ecsong187 · Apr 3, 2007

yea ive been looking at stock older toyota pickups or even the 1990's s10 blazers because i think they get about 17mpg
thanks
edwin song

istone100 · Apr 3, 2007

trackick like mine

but bigger tires is subjective

plus its a convertable

Glenn · Apr 3, 2007

NotMatt said:
4 cyl. Toyota pickup, leave it stock and drive it like a granny... I got 19mpg with mine going over Stevens and back, so for commuting without pulling a mountain pass you should be able to get 20.

I got 26 mpg once in my Toyota 4x4 between Spokane and Ellensburg. Or maybe it was Missoula and Spokane...can't remember offhand.

Glenn · Apr 3, 2007

ecsong187 said:
im saving up for a commuter rig that get pretty good fuel economy. i dont want a car. i want a pickup or jeep or 4runner something along those lines that is 4x4. anyone have any advice on which rigs have the best fuel economy i will probably put a small lift and bigger tires but it will mainly be used for commuting.
thanks
edwin song

A small lift does nothing for a commuter vehicle.

What do you consider "good" gas mileage? That would help us make a recommendation.

Cascade_Crawler · Apr 3, 2007

If you already have an off road rig why put a lift and bigger tires on the commuter? That totally defeats the purpose of a commuter vehicle.

My buddies stock cherokee gets like 18 - 20 mpg.

Boonie Buster · Apr 3, 2007

my dads yota gets 19mpg with 35s and can bake 'em for days with the 4 cyl.:awesomework:

Alpine4x4 · Apr 3, 2007

If ya get a toy get the 22-re and not the 3.0l V6...shitay gas mileage

Tankota · Apr 3, 2007

Alpine4x4 said:
If ya get a toy get the 22-re and not the 3.0l V6...shitay gas mileage

I've got a freak then cause consistently over the last 6 years and 105,000 miles I get 280-300 miles on a fillup of 14 gallons with my STOCK height, STOCK tires (235s), k&n, 5spd, 3.0 v-6.

Most people, especially those with autos or lifted or bigger tires, get mid teens with these motors. I wouldn't recommend one cause chances are you'll end up with a gas hog one.

btw, the '82 toyota pickup I have with 31s got 24mpg on one trip between puyallup and bellingham. Never went over 60 and never opened up the throttle on hills so it slowed to 45 in spots. However, driving it with the normal flow of traffic yields 17.5mpg. That blows cause you could drive a cummins in a 8000lb pickup and get better mileage!

ecsong187 · Apr 3, 2007

im lookin for something that gets close to 20mpg or more. so it sounds liek the older toyotas are the way to go? with the 4litre?
thanks
edwin song

Alpine4x4 · Apr 3, 2007

Tankota said:
I've got a freak then cause consistently over the last 6 years and 105,000 miles I get 280-300 miles on a fillup of 14 gallons with my STOCK height, STOCK tires (235s), k&n, 5spd, 3.0 v-6.

Most people, especially those with autos or lifted or bigger tires, get mid teens with these motors. I wouldn't recommend one cause chances are you'll end up with a gas hog one.

btw, the '82 toyota pickup I have with 31s got 24mpg on one trip between puyallup and bellingham. Never went over 60 and never opened up the throttle on hills so it slowed to 45 in spots. However, driving it with the normal flow of traffic yields 17.5mpg. That blows cause you could drive a cummins in a 8000lb pickup and get better mileage!

On 33's i got 16-17, on 31's im getting 15. Shes a gas hog but its got 260k miles. New K&N filter, plugs, rotor, wires, clutch and 4.56 gears.

ecsong187 said:
im lookin for something that gets close to 20mpg or more. so it sounds liek the older toyotas are the way to go? with the 4litre?
thanks
edwin song

Go for a fuel injected one. I beleive in 1989 they revised the engine and it got a higher mpg rating, and youll notice the newer 22-re's get better mpg than the old ones.

GaryTJ · Apr 3, 2007

I was looking for something like that too.

I ended up getting a 2002 ford Explorer sport trac (4 door explorer body with a 4' bed on back.)

4.0 v-6, 5 speed manual, average 20 mpg.
Paid 10,400.00 for mine

Mine is a dark blue, but otherwise like this.

View attachment 9250

archer1965 · Apr 3, 2007

a commuter is for just that, commuting.
I just bought a mint condition 84 corolla for $1000 and it gets 30 in the city and 36 on the highway. a 2 wheel drive toy pickup might get similar gas mileage

Totalled · Apr 3, 2007

Stock FI Bronco II gets 20ish average with a 5 speed.

hwcurtice · Apr 4, 2007

ecsong187 said:
im saving up for a commuter rig that get pretty good fuel economy. i dont want a car. i want a pickup or jeep or 4runner something along those lines that is 4x4. anyone have any advice on which rigs have the best fuel economy i will probably put a small lift and bigger tires but it will mainly be used for commuting.
thanks
edwin song

My 86 Yota, mostly stock, automatic, and 4x4 goes from Sultan to Seattle, and back, and gets about 21-22 mpg per tank. Of course, I blow that by going to Reiter and running a few easier trails.

It does have larger, height, tires now. 31's, but still get about the same.

crapyota · Apr 4, 2007

ed you want to get a mid to late 80 toyota(4runner ot extra cab for room.)
you can easily put a body lift on it and clear 33's,or do an ifs lift. you will get right around 20 mpg. this is will give you a good looking commuter rig, a little lift you feel good,and still have gas.
if you get older then 85 you will have a carb(not as effecient as e.f.i),and solid axle wich you would want to wheel(better then your k5 :redneck: ).
you should be able to find a good deal if you look around. good luck man.hope this helps some.

p.s my runner with 35's, gears ,locker,and no areodynamics anymore still gets right around 18-20 m.p.g. :fawkdancesmiley: