2021 Tacoma - 6 Speed Manual - "Overland Light" MPG Build

[montypower]

Introducing a different style project... not the "cool guy" type build. Practical and functional with MPG being a primary focus.



I've built many off road and trail type rigs over the past couple decades. Our last 1998 Tacoma was on 37s, 230:1 crawl ratio, arb lockers and more. Tons of fun on hard core rock crawling trails like Fordyce, Rubicon, Dusy Ershim. Our current travel rig is a 2020 Super Duty on 37s, dual lockers, sliders, bumpers, winch... and a truck camper. We love traveling and off road trails! Our Super Duty is an awesome travel/off road rig with 550 mile range but at 10-12mpg it's not inexpensive especially with rising fuel prices. It's ideal for slower travel

We've been missing the old Tacoma... especially the manual transmission. We would go out for 3+ week long trips with moderate comfort (fridge, 17gal 2ho, 4" foam bed, solar) and got 18mpg. The new Tacoma isn't going to be an off road trail truck - realistically these modern Tacomas are too big, expensive and difficult to modify. It will be primarily used for recreational adventures. Hauling the MTB bikes and paddle boards. However, I want to use this truck for 2-3 week trips as well. Hence the "overland light" build. Goal is to maintain 20+ MPG average while loaded on trips with the ability to camp out of it comfortably.

1st Oil Change @ 1,500 miles. We are near 2,000 miles currently. Fuel mileage to date: 22.7, 22.6, 21.4, 19.5, 21.1 --- current tank is pushing 24mpg.

2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 Access Cab
6 Speed MANUAL - LOVE IT! Reason we purchased the truck
3.5L v6 - 278hp@6,000rpm - 265ftlbs@4600rpm
Auto Limited Slip (ABS braking)
130amp Alternator
17" Alloy Wheels
Cement Color
TRD Premium Sport Package (not something I wanted): Heated Seats, Auto Headlights, Premium Auto, Navigation)
All Weather Floor Liners (these are nice)
Mudguards

Goals:
Ability to camp comfortably with my wife (2-3 week trips)
Haul MTB Bikes & Paddle Boards
Capability to access any remote lake, trail head or scenic destination (overland style)
20+ MPG Loaded

 

[montypower]

Looking at high rise canopy for bed platform. Loved this setup for the last Tacoma! I've done several roof tents and it's way better sleeping inside.

Let's hear your suggestions!

 

[skyfree]

That's about what I get in MPG with Colorado ZR2 diesel rig fully kitted out with an OVRLND camper. My last trip included about 80 miles in low range and my average for the trip was 22. The camper lives on the truck full-time. It's very light and my internal furniture build is pretty minimal done with 8020 aluminum and very thin 1/4" baltic birch ply. No pics of the interior yet, but I plan to document it here when it's completely done. Just need to finish the water system.

It's so liberating getting good mileage and range. It was so painful filling up our F350 dually. With the camper on I was getting 10MPG. Now I have the range I need to not worry about heading out on a 300 mile off-road loop in Grand Parashant for example.

 

[montypower]

@skyfree - That's a slick setup! Getting better mpg gives more range w/o requiring additional fuel (more weight). Rather ideal. Would be fun to see your camper build out. Diesels seem to do very well with low fuel consumption at idle and low rpm. Our previous Mercedes Sprinter RV @ 12k lbs with 4.5" lift on 31" Duratracs would average 17mpg. The best was 19mpg. We had one tank that was 14mpg (all off road in the snow). I was a bit disappointed with the Colorado diesel. For the small displacement and light weight... it seems the fuel economy should be better. At least when compared to the 3.0L V6 Sprinter pulling a massive load and nearly 11ft tall.

That being said... it would be hard to resist buying a Colorado if it was offered with a manual + diesel.

We love our Super Duty truck camper setup. Really can't beat it for extended touring. It has the fuel range and ability to be off grid for 10+ days (in comfort) in snow or bad weather. Our objective is to enjoy areas rather than cover maximum distances. We will often be out for months at a time.

The Tacoma will be more for zipping to destinations and covering further distances. Will keep modifications light to retain the fuel economy. It will be able to travel twice the distance for the same cost as the Super Duty. Perfect for getting remote lakes to paddle or mt bike. With some camping mixed it. Will only camp in mild type weather - when being outdoors is enjoyable.

 

[rruff]

Looking at high rise canopy for bed platform. Loved this setup for the last Tacoma! I've done several roof tents and it's way better sleeping inside.

Any ideas? How high?

Also, where will the bikes go?

 

[montypower]

@rruff Looking at the Leer 122. Approx 8" rise. It was fairly recently redesigned for the 3rd Gen Tacoma (more modern looking). May put a flexible solar panel on the roof. Otherwise, there won't be anything on the exterior to increase drag and decrease fuel mileage. Should allow for the bikes to be strapped to the canopy sides with bed platform in the center. This Tacoma is 4" wider than my old 1998 Tacoma. Fairly tight space but should work for shorter trips and exploring.

Has anyone heard of other "high rise" canopy options?

 

[Smileyshaun]

It always boggles my mind a little with midsized trucks their mpgs . My 06 GMC Sierra with a 5.3 would regularly get 20mpg when it was stock . I really do believe if they just put a small V8 in midsize trucks they would get way better mileage and be a lot more fun .

 

[montypower]

@Smileyshaun - I totally agree! My 2016 Tundra 5.7L V8 could get 20mpg stock (hwy - keeping speed down). Of course, it easily got less if not careful. Toyota offers an even smaller engine option the 2.7L 4 Cylinder which is nearly the same as the 3.5L V6.

I will say... this 3.5L seems to be much more efficient around town. Our mixed driving has been 20mpg. That's tough to do with a V8. But I'd take a V8 manual mid-size truck any day!

 

[rruff]

Looking at the Leer 122. Approx 8" rise.

You probably don't want another project... ... but I'd build one. Curved 1/4 ply kinda like an upside down boat. Fiberglass the exterior. Make a nice aero cabover nose for extra storage.

Factory caps have too many windows, not enough space, not really aero, etc...

 

[montypower]

Interesting idea. Definitely don't have the interest or time to build something custom. We have much too many projects. Including building out an off grid shop.

Here is the updated Leer 122 design:

 

[rruff]

That is better looking than the old model, and gives you more high room inside.

Curious how you are planning to mount your bikes. Guess the rear tires will fit in slots in the platform, and you will take the bikes out when sleeping?

 

[montypower]

Bike storage... remove front tire. Turn handles (parallel to frame) and mount bike to canopy wall (rear tire towards front of the truck). May put the rear tire on a slide to assist with loading/unloading (keep peddles from turning). Ideally we could sleep inside with the bikes. Mock up layout gave about 38" space in the center with bikes on the outside (one on each side).

We had to remove the bikes with the 1998 Tacoma which was a bit less ideal. But totally worked.

Carrying recreational gear can be challenging. However, it's really what we enjoy. Watching most "overlander" people drive and drive only to park in the dark and repeat doesn't make any sense. What is the point? Maximum mileage record? Experiencing locations and enjoying destinations is what makes travel worth while.

 

[rruff]

Bike storage... remove front tire. Turn handles (parallel to frame) and mount bike to canopy wall (rear tire towards front of the truck).

At first I thought it would be too long if stored that way, but that should work!

 

[montypower]

Yep! Works with the 6ft bed. Can't do it with the 5ft bed.

 

[tacollie]

Carrying recreational gear can be challenging. However, it's really what we enjoy. Watching most "overlander" people drive and drive only to park in the dark and repeat doesn't make any sense. What is the point? Maximum mileage record? Experiencing locations and enjoying destinations is what makes travel worth while.

Right?! I feel like some people just want to drive. While I like driving the real joy comes from being outside for us.

Sleeping two with the bikes inside sounds ambitious. If you turn the bars 90* you are going to be close on length. My medium Bronson is 71". If does work that will be a slick setup!

I do miss a manual transmission! That's the biggest perk to the current Tacomas imo. The cement grey is my favorite color for tacos.