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[LGraubner]

I have an AT 4WD FJ and after 24,000 miles and running bone stock, I averaged from 18.5 - 20.5 MPG around town. I drive 20 miles each way to work and sit in stop-and-go traffic for 30 minute each way. When I bought my FJ, I had the OEM rock rails and factory luggage rack, but no other options.

I recently did a few mods and saw my mileage drop. The first two tanks post mods were 15.9 and 15.6 mpg, then my next three tanks were 17, 17.7 and 17.6 mpg. Not too bad considering the window sticker claims 17 / 21 mpg, but with premium fuel at almost $4.00 a gallon, I wanted to see if I could get higher mileage again. For purposes of comparison, I have always run premium fuel.

My mods included All Pro front and rear bumpers, tow hitch, Warn M8000 winch, Garvin Adventure rack, OME 885/895 lift, high clearance exhaust pipe and a full set of All Pro skids including new lower control arms. Total weight added to my FJ for these mods was about 350 lbs.

I also added off-road tires and went with a 265/70R17 stock height tire (32") so I could still park in my parking garage at work. The tires I chose were Pro Comp Xtreme Mud Terrains and I mounted them on my stock alloy rims.

After selling an unused power tool on Craigslist, I used the money to buy a set of 5 alloy rims with Bridgestone tires with only 1,200 miles on them for $475, shipped to my door from a fellow forum member in Boston. I just filled up tonight and my mpg was back up to 20.6. I could tell immediately from the gas gauge I was getting much better mileage, but I didn't expect this much of an improvement considering I added 350 lbs.

To track my mileage as accurately as possible, I go to the same gas station, the same pump and always let it fill to the top and shut itself off. I feel reasonably sure I fill up to the same level each time, so my MPG calculations should be fairly consistent. Both sets of tires are also the same size and any incremental difference in height should be insignificant as it registers on my odometer.

The FJ doesn't look as good with stock tires, but I am in my 40's and am past the point where I really care what people think. Using my impact wrench, floor jack and teenage sons, I can easily switch the tires and go hit the trails.

The noise wasn't that much higher with the Pro Comp Xtreme MT's, but the stock tires are definitely quieter and I like that for my daily commute. My new All Pro exhaust is a bit noisier, but not bad.

I certainly didn't buy my FJ with the idea of buying a Prius and I would pay the price for fuel, regardless of how bad my mpg was as this is simply my favorite vehicle I've ever owned. But for anyone who is hesitating about adding mods because you fear really poor mpg, you can have your cake and eat it too. Now if you add an Inchworm gearbox or huge tires, that is probably a different story.