Arfball

I have been very disappointed in my Toyota's towing
performance. I have heard the following comments when asked:
1. your engine is junk, buy a new truck
2. Toyota makes weak engines
3. I can't get toyota performance parts for that year.
4. Your engine can't handle many upgrades.

I have a magnaflow muffler and 2 1/4 cat back piping, but I don't feel like that improved my towing at all. I lack knowledge with engine work and get very nervous to do anything. I like my truck other than that. I also can't afford a new one. I would rather modify it and save myself the money if I could. I have also considered a new 3.4 liter engine. What are my options without spending a whole lot of money.

Thank you!

Los Gatos?

1) You don't WANT to buy a new one. It's not weak because it's old, it's weak because they were weak when they were NEW

2) If you want to do a swap, do a Supra turbo swap with the 7MGTE engine. The entire swap is cheaper than a new 3.4L.

3) Get headers. Do the ISR mod. Do the air box mod. All of these mods can be found in the tech section of this website.

vmaxjohn

You didn't give the details of your truck!

What changes have you made to it?
What year/model/engine/trans do you have?

Did you go with larger tires without regearing?

I tow a 2 place covered snowmobile trailer that is like a moving wall, very unaerodynamic. I have towed with a '91 Xcab 22re powered 4x4 truck with a 5speed, and 4th gear was the only option on the highway. Sometimes 3rd would be used for steeper hills. I would maintane 65mph usually.

Now I use a '92 4runner with a 3.0V6 auto. While it's got more power than the 22re, the gearing and auto trans sucks some of that power away. I do not use overdrive when towing, no one should really, and can usually do 75-80mph on the highway with the same trailer and load. I get about 10mpg when going that fast though!

Give some details of what you have and what you're trying to do.

its2slo

change your gears, it will make a huge difference!!(even if you run stock size tires). also mod your air box/intake to compliment your exhaust system, check out the tech section for that.

AgRunner06

Dang. How many rpms are you running at that speed?

vmaxjohn

At 80mph, I think it's around 4000rpm. That's alot under a load, but that's where the power seems to be. I noticed some oil burning at this rpm for the miles I'd tow, like 100 miles at a stretch minimum.

If you ask my tranny guy, he'll tell you no automatic built today should be used to tow in overdrive. So, I burn a little more gas and save the tranny!

Arfball

How can I modify my air box and what and were do I get this stuff from. I would also like to know more about the supra engine and gearing. Approx. cost and where to take it. What kind of out put will it give me?

Also, I have a magnaflow exaust with 2 1/4 inch piping to the converter. Is there a big difference in the performance from other manufacturers? I need to fix this thing up. I do tow in 4th gear as well and have a very hard time when I hit little bitty hills.

Thanks for the help!!!!

Firefyter-Emt

The only way to get any "pulling power" out or her is to add a winch.. Sorry buddy, even with all the mods you are going to get poor towing performance and the mileage of a Ford V-10. I tow a 2k + pop-up and it pretty much sucks if you tow for a long time.. (I will be doing 2k in towing miles this mont for the rally and a trip to VA near the TN boarder..) I will suck and I have to live with it. If you want to tow with the 4Runner, you made a wrong choice in tow rigs.

bryontro

Sorry buddy, these guys are right. My 92 which I love is a lot of things but a tow vehicle it is not. My 95 grand voyager could (traded lately) tow circles around my toy. I could't belive it either but it is true. I have 170,000 on my 92 with a 3.0. To say it is junk would not be my opinion. Weak yes, junk no. Good luck.