cap85

my truck doesn't have much pep, especially on any sort of incline. COuld it be something with the fuel injectors? thanks

combatcarl

What tire size, what engine, what transmission? My little 22RE pushes a 5spd and 30x9.5s uphill just fine. Fine like a classy, multicolored 4 cylinder 4x4 pickup fine.

'89 22RE 4x4 longbed DLX
Sent from my LG-P505 using YotaTech

cap85

its a 3VZ-E engine, 3.0L v6...manual tranny. i know this truck isnt built for much power but it struggles with inclines. I was going over a mountain pass over the weekend (no snow...) and it was quite an incline but it wouldnt go over 45mph, stayed in 4th gear. i just wonder what else i could look for...

combatcarl

Try the simple stuff, since its been awhile, I'm guessing. Plug wires, plugs, distributor cap/rotor, check/adjust timing (correctly), check and adjust TPS, and if your truck has over 80k miles, change the O2 sensor(s). Change air filter, possibly run some engine cleaner, like seafoam thru it. Oil change, etc. She's probably just begging for a little love.

'89 22RE 4x4 longbed DLX
Sent from my LG-P505 using YotaTech

rworegon

When did it last have pep? No CEL? The CEL does light for a moment when you start it i.e. the bulb is not burned out.

cap85

it never really had much pep to it. ive had alot of work done to it since i bought it back in march, here is a list (some i did myself, some at a shop)

-new radiator
-new exhaust, muffler
-new steering gear box, pitman arm
-new idler arm
-adjusted alignment
-new tires, 31 gdyr wrangler duratrac (badass tires)
-replaced ring and pinion gear in rear differential
-replaced valve cover gasket
-motor vac test and service: fuel rail cleaning, cleaned throttle body, cleaned intake plenum
-shop i took it to ran vac machine and cleaned injectors
-i change the oil every three months
-always check coolant and other fluids
-replaced rear brake lines

I keep on eye on everything like a hawk and try and research what i need to in order to keep it maintained and running like it should. it is kind of a lemon but i don't wanna give up on it yet....too much sweat, blood and tears and money have gone into it.

combatcarl

Ok, but I didn't see
-valve adjust
-O2 sensor
-TPS adjust
-plugs (gapped correctly), cap and rotor, and plug wires
-and if you're geared with 4.10s, it'll feel like a dog on 31s.

Not saying you haven't done those things, just that I didn't see them. Those little things can make a huge difference.

'89 22RE 4x4 longbed DLX
Sent from my LG-P505 using YotaTech

cap85

i havent checked the 02 sensor or tps...i forgot to mention the plugs were changed and gapped properly. im not sure what im geared for, i will look into that.
thanks for your help i will report what i find

Gamefreakgc

x2 on the TPS and O2 sensor. I had the same exact issues you had, I live near the Sierra Nevadas and there's some steep mountain passes my truck couldn't handle. The TPS fix helps a lot if you've got sporadic idle (mine would fluctuate between 500 and 1000, adjustment screw did no good). Ended up needing a new one but sometimes adjusting it does the trick.

What kind of exhaust/muffler job did you do? If you have a 91 with the 3vz-e engine like I do, it's starved for air. I had one done three months ago with 2 1/4 in piping and a Magnaflow straight-through style exhaust. Also dropped a K & N air filter in so it can take in more air. If you're feeling like you want to tweak it a bit more, I took the spoiler off that goes from the airbox to driver's side headlight for even more airflow (there's a thread out there somewhere about it, can't find it). It's very easy and nothing to buy. If you're worried about rainwater getting in you can put it back in easily. Don't bother with cold air mods, they all are inside the hood anyway so it's still drawing in the same old hot air. Removing the spoiler makes it just like a "mod" but without the price tag.

Also, I just switched out my cold start injector switch and engine coolant sensor (not the sender). This made a noticeable difference when the engine is warm since both went bad on me and I didn't know (doesn't throw a CEL). Used to have lots of pep when cold but once I ran it for 15 min it turned back into a slug. These are located behind the engine below some hoses, a pain to get to but if they are bad, it's worth fixing. Mine literally fell in half once I touched them. You can get a cold start injector switch (looks like a slightly larger ECT sensor) from a junkyard, I couldn't find one new except from the stealer to the tune of $200. Got it off a 4Runner for $7.50. If it helps, from right to left the order is ECT sender (sends info to your temp gauge on the dash, has odd connector), ECT sensor (has offset grooves on connector) and Cold Start Injector Switch (larger sensor with grooves that line up).

Hope this helps ya.

Snortin Nortin

I don't know lol my 22RE seems to have more balls than my old 3vz engines but it is stick and my 3vzs were autos so that could be it!?? I think that the 3vz could really wake up from a less restrictive exaust manifold!!?? I don't like the design of them ! I have never done that to any of my trucks so I can't say for sure?? but I will say that my 2nd 3vz truck had a way more solid feeling with better oil press then my 22re truck just not as much low end snap!!

cap85

it started acting a little more sluggish after i swapped out the aftermarke cold air intake for the oem air filter set up. everything is hooked up correctly, no visible leaks...im wondering if something happened with that. I need to look into the tps still

cap85

my check engine light never pops up so i dont think its the 02 sensor but maybe getting a new one wouldnt hurt.

Gamefreakgc

Yeah, I'm putting a new one in myself after running some seafoam and water injection to clean out the engine. Mine has 279k miles though.