New member with some questions - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

jediprincess · #1 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 12:38 AM

Hi, guys! I've been checking out this forum, and I am really impressed. There is lots of great information. I have an FJ, and my husband has been wanting me to "let him at it." I have been against it, but am now thinking otherwise. Would a suspension lift alone alter the gas mileage? How much would a suspension lift with a set of "ballsy" offroad tires alter it? I would appreciate any input. Thanks!

TRDSteve · #2 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 06:58 AM

A lift = higher profile vehicle. More aggressive tires, generally, = more weight. Either or both will probably decrease your gas mileage.

That said, most people are reporting a better "feel" on and off road with a lift for the FJC.

Personally, I already changed the tires, and I intend to do "mild" lift.

Good luck.

jediprincess · #3 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 08:52 AM

Thanks for the info, Steve. I noticed a TRD exhaust on your FJ specs. What has that done for/to performance, gas mileage, etc.?

Michael2000 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-19-2006, 01:25 AM

A lift and more agressive tires are not bad ideas if you plan on doing some heavy duty offroading. Yes, both will reduce gas mileage.

To my knowledge, no one has reported any quatifiable gas mileage or performance improvements with the TRD exhaust. Listen before buying, because some like the lower tone of the TRD system compared to the stock system, and others don't. Some have also reported resonance problems with the TRD system, while others have not had a problem. Go to the dealer, and use your own ears with a test drive.

Michael

jediprincess · #5 (**permalink**) 09-21-2006, 12:33 AM

Thanks, Michael. I appreciate it : )

TRDSteve · #6 (**permalink**) 09-23-2006, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jediprincess

Thanks for the info, Steve. I noticed a TRD exhaust on your FJ specs. What has that done for/to performance, gas mileage, etc.?

I have the TRD exhaust. Here's my $.02: know what you're getting. I knew I would not get an American 8-cylinder sound. The TRD makes the Toyota 6 sound decent; "understated" is what I call it. The tip is one of the best. The performance gains, if any, are up for subjective debate. It's a factory option. Good luck.

** I cut & paste them from another thread on exhausts **

Over time, I think the sounds becomes more mellow, not necessarily quieter or louder, just different. You dig?

mustang67408 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-23-2006, 10:02 AM

DONAHOE makes a Great lift for the FJ.
Well thought out and easy to install.
The TRD EXH is great too.

DevinSixtySeven · #8 (**permalink**) 09-23-2006, 06:46 PM

jp, take a look at the two links posted in my thread in this forum inviting fj owners off the pavement. there are quite a few pics of fjs with various trail mods, all are very, very well done--clean, with minimal impact to daily driveability. i say let 'im at it

.

take a look in the engine & drivetrain technical forum, there have been several threads addressing improving mileage. the short answer is drive gently, and if you want to put money to engine performance, get a unichip before all else. toyota builds their engines so efficiently that swapping the exhaust does little to nothing, and in some cases (pipe too large, exhaust too open, etc) aftermarket kits will rob your engine of low-end torque. the best you can hope for with the toyota tuner stuff is no change in power, but better looks and sound.

tell your man to git it awn in the handling/suspension/axle and offroad forums before he dials the fj...tons of tech, and because toyota builds all of their trucks in extremely similar style through the years, the modifications we discuss for tundras are also applicable to the fj cruiser...both use double wishbone, coil sprung front suspension...i think the control arms are even the same length, since the stock flex is the same 8".

adding a suspension lift will change the way the fj rides, if it's not done right. if you only add a spacer, youll either make the ride harsh by losing shock extension, or risk the upper ball joint by allowing the shock to extend too much (details on the thread in my sig line). also, when the control arm angle changes with the lift, the tires need to move out in order to move up, so it will feel stiffer on the road. for what looks to be a very high quality, low maintenance, inexpensive, travel enhancing setup, check out the bilstein 5100 lift/leveling kit that's currently in development...thread located in handling/suspension/axle, and sold through offroad warehouse. if you want to spend more money, the donahoe kit mustang mentioned and a set of uniball upper control arms will make your fj an offroad monster, and you still dont need to mess with the tires.

if you do add larger tires, remember to account for the greater circumference or it will look like your gas mileage just tanked. also, it will take more grunt to get the tires rolling, so your in-town mileage will suffer a little, in addition the engine lugs more the larger the tires get without regearing the axles. a suspension kit on its own shouldnt change anything but the amount of travel available from the front end...it's the larger lugs of offroad-oriented tires that hurt gas mileage.

there are a number of very high quality road tires that can handle offroad driving. my best advice, particularly if it's a daily driver that sees (or might see) some dirt action, would be to keep the stock tire size (or go with the largest size that will fit, probably 265/75/16 or 265/70/17) and run something like the bfg a/t, and youll have a very capable offroad and rec vehicle with very refined on-road handling and manners, with no noticeable change in gas mileage. i and many others run similar setups on our tundras with very good results; keeping it mild will also minimize potential impact to warranted components.

-sean