Quote Originally Posted by SPAZZ
The Monteros have less horsepower and torque than the VX, weigh more, and they perform just as good on road(offroad the VX blows it away) how do you figure???
I agree with the VX needing a more powerful motor, but with more and more research I'm starting to accept that more CCs is not the way to go.
I'm assuming that you're referring to the body-on-frame Monteros, which have a very similar construction to the VX, and also displace 3.5L. They also get 17mpg, regardless of city/highway -I've worked on quite a few and if I could find a '99 SR, I wouldn't be driving a VX.
It really boils down to a weak engine in a heavy truck = poor mpg.

With appropriate gearing, tires and a diet, the VX could be a competitor in the milage events, with very little work done to the engine (just basic performance mods).
The fact is, most of us add things (like big tires, big stereos, racks, etc.) that KILL our gas mileage. Someone's sig says it best:
[I]The price you pay to be different[I]

It is my personal opinion that the single worst feature of the truck is the transmission. I can just feel this thing sucking up horsepower.
I think that if someone manages the 5 speed swap, we can expect 20+ mpg all day long.