It is a documented fact that the K&N system in a 4Runner or Tocoma will actually make things worse and the stock air box allows more air. Do some research and you will find the data. For a little better mileage, remove the snorkel coming out of the side of the air box, going into the wheel well. Unless you plan to drive in water up to your hood, you don't need this device which makes two 90? turns and restrict the air flow. Run synthetic oil. I use the Mobile 1 in the crank case but I am not brave enough to use synthetic in the drive train. Then buy a K&N or Amsoil air filter. These are the permanent kind that you wash out and re-oil. They cost $40-60 but you save versus replacing a $12 air filter each time and they do a better job of filtering while improving air flow. You should get about a 2-4 mpg improvement and 7+ increase in horsepower and it sounds a lot cooler when you do step on it. As for me, I am back to driving my 93 Camry to work and back, starting Monday, and I am really bummed out about it. I just filled the 4Runner last night at the "bargain" price of $2.99 / gallon and it cost me $54.00 for all 18 gallons. The best mileage I have seen on the highway is 24, although I usually get 22 if I have a long highway drive. To work and back I average 18. The 4-cyl Camry gets 25-28.

Oh great, I just installed the K&N today. Well, hopefully my K&N will improve the mileage. It did increase the power and sounds great. In addition, I just changed my Amsoil oil filter after 7,000 miles. The oil looks like new. I'm convinced that it will do well over a 30k mile lifespan. I'll post the mpg data once I get enough compiled. e.

Amsoil wil probably do as well, but no better than most other synthetics although the it does have it's fans. Synthetics will go longer without breaking down but that is only one factor. Why push it to 30,000? Synthetics are not that much more expensive that yoiu need to do that. Remember, oil holds dirt in suspension. Not all of it gets trapped in the filter. How do you know you have more power? Does it just sound like it or did you have it tested, before and after, on a dynamometer?

As far as my 'Runner having more power, I did a few 0-60 tests before and after installing the K&N system. I'm running about 1 second quicker now and merging seems quicker as well. No dynos or electronic eye tests - just a homespun observation. I probably will end up changing my oil at 20K instead of 30K. Even though some dirt can remain trapped in suspension, the new Amsoil filter should remove those impurities. Time will tell me if I'm doing the right thing. e.

I'm gonna have to wave a BS flag on this. 1 sec quicker to 60 just by adding a K&N filter? Really? Does K&N sponsor you? K&N allows more dust particles thru their filter than others which isn't very good for your engine. Does it damage the engine in the long run? Maybe, maybe not. But there are other air filters on the market that flow just as good, if not better than the K&N and allow LESS particles of dust thru. I'm glad you're happy with the filter but please don't post misleading information to make others think it's better than sliced bread. It's not. As for the oil, send a sample out to testing. It's only $20 to find out if your oil is good to go another 10k miles or not. No guessing involved. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ I use Castrol Syntec 5w30 and change every 7500 miles or so. YMMV. -Bobby >

I added a complete K&N cold air induction system, not just a filter. And yes, the 'Runner is almost 1 second quicker on 0-60mph runs. I don't really care about the power gains, I'm just going for economy. If your vehicle has more power, theoretically, it takes less pedal travel to get to your desired speed, thus using less fuel. I take offense at the comment that K&N sponsors me. I bought the induction system because K&N systems are generally well received and install easily (2 hours). In addition, their housings fit sensors and vacuum hoses just like OEM. I investigated other cold air induction systems, but they didn't make them for 4runners older than '03. I'm not trying to sell anything or promote a particular product brand. I'm just merely experimenting with different ways of achieving economy without sacrificing the integrity of the vehicle. As far as the Amsoil is concerned, I chose it due to it's properties and guarantee. I have my mechanics periodically check the inside of my engine for any signs of oil breakdown. So far, absolutely no wear has been detected. Quite the contrary. The engine is as clean as a new engine (we have a camera scope that can reach into the engine). Again, I'm here to impart information and receive valuable tips. I'm not a sponsored billboard sent to this group to hock my goods.

Yeah, I have to agree with Robert on this one. It is impossible to gain that much power just with a simple air intake system. On a vehicle as big as the 4Runner, we're talking at least 100HP to get an extra second in 0-60 time. I don't want to get anybody mad and call you a liar, but I just want people to think they'll be that much faster. Even if the whole system flows air better, you're still limited by the airflow in the intake manifold, heads, exhaust, etc. I do a lot of racing with my '86 Monte Carlo SS. I have been to the track many times and also have a friend with a G-Tech (little thing that measures acceleration very nicely). I have seen what it takes to make that car even a few tenths of a second faster...it ain't easy. Granted, I usually look at 1/4 mile times because they are more useful and can be corrected for weather, weight, etc. But I see plenty of 0-60 times and how they are affected by modifications I do. I'd say if you're lucky, the K&N system give you an extra 5, maybe 10HP. There is no way you can even feel that difference without some form of instrument recording your acceleration. Seat-of-pants meter is not very accurate. I'm not saying the K&N system is useless or anything, just don't want to get anybody's hopes up too high. I plan to run my 4Runner soon so I have a good base speed/power to start from. Chad '86 MCSS pushing about 275HP SAE with a lot of room to grow '05 4Runner pushing 270 HP according to Toyota (haven't tested it yet)