Archives

Thought I'd share some info my my Tacoma hypermiler..

I used to really complain about gas prices and decided to change my habbits, I started to see some notable results as my techniques have gotten more defined..

I found something about hypermiling by accident when researching hydroplaning..

I liked what I saw and thought I'd give it a shot, took my trucks ECU to relearn for my new driving habits and EF increased..

I'm an avid tinkerer and love DIY projects..

I mocked up some wheelskirts using coroplast to see if i could see any numbers from them..
So its temporary mockup status, I have no real #'s that show it makes a difference, but on paper it makes sense.. That and it attracts alot of attention..

my perposed look...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/aeromods/skirt2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/aeromods/P1030903.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/aeromods/P1030900.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/aeromods/P1030916.jpg
my concept for a flip up..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/aeromods/P1030930.jpg

all i had on hand was red, rolled for a week like this, no shame :D
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/aeromods/P1030980.jpg
different color duct tape (for now) till I make them out of glass.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/MEETS/LosPadresForrest032808/P1040459.jpg

Still a work in progress..

Now I'm making a low cost light weight tonneau cover..
I wanted to find a campershell to aero out, but nothing came up for under 150 bucks (my limit)
in a design I liked

So then began the tonneau..

heres how it'll function..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/FunctionMockup.jpg

here it begins..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040023.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040046.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040044.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040057.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040068.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040095.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040108.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040105.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040102.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040127.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040129.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040130.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040131.jpg

then I set it on the truck to dry and so it would hold its shape..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040133.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040134.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/tonneauDIY/P1040135.jpg

still a work in progress..

Now I like instrumentation and so far my first one was a vac guage.. (just jumped on a sgII gb)
So I ordered one from a company called Lotek, and their fitment and guage angle was horrible..
attachment with drywall screws? I dont think so..

returned it and desided to take things into my own hands..
bought a dual overlay pod ment for a Mustang and went to work on it, most of it was last night so this too is a work in progress..

I like to bounce around from project to project if I hit a mental block to stay productive..
I cut the pod apart so I can shave and heat to form my own personal angles and heights..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040506.jpg
after I cut them apart I taped round mirrrors over the guage openings..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040520.jpg
Yeah boy!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040521.jpg

trimming and test fitting..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040522.jpg

mirrors are for aim towards myself, if I can see any bit of myself in the mirror, its money!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040523.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040524.jpg

I want this a pillar pod to not obstruct as much as possible to i decided to make them hug the stock trim..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040526.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040527.jpg

cut the stock trim for guage backside clearence..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040537.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040539.jpg
clearence from outter edge of guage bezel
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/apillar/P1040543.jpg

I'm adding another one, this is as far as I've gotten so far..

so far to date, I've pulled 33.4mpg.. before I started driving like this, my best was 22mpg..

I've also gone with Rota slipstreams in a 16x7 (13.9lbs each) and that helped a bit as well..
If they had em in a 16x5.5 I would have one for it..

Tires are at 60psi fronts and 55psi rears

lowered 2/3

belltech 2" springs up front and 4x4 leaf spring pack out back
with one leaf removed good for a 3" drop and stiff ride..

I did my own alighment with my body weight added to the drivers side and a 1/2 tank of gas when I did it..

Thats all I have for ya at the moment, now get out! ;)

Welcome.

Seems like Basjoos might have competition one day.

Have you read Beating the EPA - The Why’s and how to Hypermile (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510) yet?

Look around, try a few things, ask some questions. Your FE will thank you.

I think that Taco looks familiar. ;) Welcome to cleanmpg Chris.

Welcome.

Seems like Basjoos might have competition one day.

Have you read Beating the EPA - The Why’s and how to Hypermile (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510) yet?

Look around, try a few things, ask some questions. Your FE will thank you.

I highly think I'll come anywhere near basjoos Civic in terms of FE ;)
my 4 is almost twice the size of his and I have a vehicle with a frame

I think that Taco looks familiar. ;) Welcome to cleanmpg Chris.

Thanks!

but what did ya think of the truck? :eek:

Hi Chris:

___Is your Tacoma an I4 w/ a stick by chance :)

___As for the mods, it looks like you are well on your way! Once you complete her, “Ride of the week” would be a nice addition as well!

___I see some underbody stuff that needs to be worked and aero damming just in front of the tires should drop you another .01. Smoothing off the entire underbody is probably in your future plans unless you have already attacked that? I see the front bug/debris deflector above the grille in some pics and not in others. Probably best if it was removed altogether. VAC gauge vs. an SG-II? An SG-II will pay for itself in real world feedback and ever increasing FE faster than you may think?

___Just don’t forget that all the aero-mods in the world cannot make up for the driver behind the wind screen. I suspect you will be increasing the capability of both at the same time :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I-4 stick is correct 2.4 dohc (2RZ) with manual (W59) transmission :)
It started its life as a plain SR5 package that I had
a few things color keyed to bring the status up a bit..

I had a billet grill and got sick of the day to day bs with it..
so I got an OEM style that was factory painted to match..

a full belly pan is definatly in its future, I just need to contend with
things like a rear solid drive axel and leaf springs to work around..

front should be easy tho..

But I could use all the advise possible, thats why I'm here ;)

Thanks for the words Wayne..

Slipstreams??? Ha, someone's been spending too much time on Honda-Tech.

Just kidding, looks like a great start! How are your cruising RPMs? Might look for a taller rear end if one is available on the cheaps.

cruising rpm's sit at 2k

the slipstreams are the lightest most inexpensive wheels around..

can't beat em :)

Very nice looking truck Chris D! Gives me inspiration to do something a bit prettier for TorqueNada ;)

Nice work!

Hmm, like Dr. Pepper, huh?
.
Very cool, and I especially enjoy the "no modesty" labeling
you've added -- so called after a friend was seeing the mods-
list signs stuck in my Prius windows and all the "safety bling"
and other labeling all over it. Nice to send a message to
people that see you on the road, that you're trying to do the
right thing [even if most of the knuckleheads disagree that it's
the right thing].
.
_H*

Nice taco. Wish my looked as good, but mine is a 96 with a well rotted frame. I got the letter from Toyota so I am looking for 04 xcab 4X2 4I to replace it. On the highway I am at 33 mgp. One thing I did was fold in the side view mirror and bought a 280 review mirror that alone gain a solid 1 mpg. Still looking for a wiper cowl but no one makes one for a taco. And want to do a bellie pan and aero bed cover. Like your self I go the low budget route first the build something more permanent if it works. Scangag II was the best $ spent so far also max side wall psi in tires, although have to run snow tires where I live. http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/images/smilies/Banane49.gif
:Banane49:

You'll do good on the by back, as long as you have at least a good 1" dia rust hole in it some place, you'll be set..

1.5X at excellent bluebook reguardless of miles and you should do alright to be able to get a nice 01-04 4x2..

where do you live for snow tire requirments?

Love the truck dude! I'd defintaely buy 'er. Make sure to use light wood for the top...and maybe ya can take off the tailgate and just stick a piece of wood up there...and nail it on to the top. Less weight I'm thinking? Just some ideas.

Keep the good work! Keep showing us the progress and sharing the numbers.
Justin

I wonder what the effect would be if you created a smooth and rounded transition from the top of the roof down to the bedcover (ending about where the hingepoint is).
This would hopefully keep the air attached to the car and give it more sedan-like aerodynamics.

And I don't think it would look strange either.

Ahhh I see what your saying, a somewhat sedan with a trunk setup..

sounds interesting.. I like it..

I had an idea to copy Bondo's areo shell design over at Ecomodder by modding a camper shell..

but I couldnt find a used one within my 150 dollar spending limit..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/PentastarTurbo/tacoma/AeroTopper/DSCN0169Aero.jpg

It is easy to make such things with the 'lost foam' method. Just find those construction-size foam boards and create a plug that you cover with polyester and glass-fibre. Use some gas to dissolve the foam. Should fit in the budget.

"31.8 MPG"

Would that by chance be the same car in the YouTube videos? (I remember seeing that number somewhere.)

It is easy to make such things with the 'lost foam' method. Just find those construction-size foam boards and create a plug that you cover with polyester and glass-fibre. Use some gas to dissolve the foam. Should fit in the budget.

yup, my days of being mischevious taught me about foam and gas.. :D

"31.8 MPG"

Would that by chance be the same car in the YouTube videos? (I remember seeing that number somewhere.)


yup, thats me, user name on youtube is DdgeShelby

I like all the modding you're doing Chris D., it's kind of inspiring me to do some stuff as well. Maybe I'll post some of my progress after I get some of the parts I ordered.