Alright to start I have a '95 SR5 3.0, the power sucks, the MPGs suck [>:]. If the truck was lowered with different (lighter weight) rims and smaller tires, would the mpg go up? Or will it still be crap because the 4wd?

I have no need for 4wd, we don't go off roading, I know shouldn't of gotten the 4wd, but it was a straight trade for a Kia Rio.

Also another thought, would more hp/tq help gas mileage? I know normally it decreases, but it would make it easier to pull all the weight of this 4runner easier.

My wife drives the 4runner as her vechicle, I'm just wanting some input on anything that may help so I can tinker around a bit.

 

Lets start with what type of mileage you getting. Could be low compression or you traded for a POS it all depends. There are a few things that help with gas mileage in the 3.0 It all just costs money.

 

For handlingpurposes, its been said that removing a pound of non suspended rotating mass is equivalent to removing 20 pounds of suspended stationary mass. I don't think it makes much difference for overall MPG, probably straight one-to-one ratio.

Yeah, less weight is better, but it would be a lot cheaper to just clean all the unnecessary junk out of the back than to buy wheels/tires. Also check tire air pressure more frequently.