I need more pulling pwr from a 91 4x4 pickup V6

Arfball · 06-15-2003, 03:56 PM

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!

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Los Gatos? · 06-15-2003, 07:22 PM

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 · 06-15-2003, 10:06 PM

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 · 06-15-2003, 10:22 PM

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 · 06-15-2003, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vmaxjohn
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!

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

vmaxjohn · 06-16-2003, 08:15 AM

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 · 06-16-2003, 06:47 PM

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 · 06-16-2003, 08:00 PM

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 · 06-16-2003, 08:11 PM

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.

06-15-2003, 07:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Los Gatos? Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: b Posts: 1,031	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. __________________ New York City, NYC, pretty mean when it wants to be, black leather, knee hole pants, can't play no highschool dance, fuzz tone, hear 'em go, hear 'em on the radio - R A M O N E S, Ramones OLD: '90 4Runner SR5 auto v6 150k NEW: '85 long bed xtra cab 5spd 22R 200k NEW NEW: '89 Ford Taurus SHO, 137k Miles, 650 miles after I got it : water pump takes a shizzle, now I'm knee deep in a front maintainence from hell. Even broken it's faster than the 4Runner

06-15-2003, 10:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
vmaxjohn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 88	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. __________________ If guns kill people, then my guitar can teach without me!

06-16-2003, 08:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
vmaxjohn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 88	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! __________________ If guns kill people, then my guitar can teach without me!

06-16-2003, 06:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
Arfball Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Idaho Falls, ID Posts: 4	My engine is a V6 EFI 3.0L 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!!!!

06-16-2003, 08:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Firefyter-Emt Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Connecticut Posts: 972	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. __________________ Lee's Toyota 4Runner Yankee Toys - TLCA Delegate 2nd Gen. Sway Bar disconnects for sale..

06-15-2003, 10:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
its2slo Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: portland oregon Posts: 704	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.

06-16-2003, 08:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
bryontro Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: LA Posts: 54	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. __________________ 1992 Toyota SR5 V-6 31X10.50 Scorpions Rancho adjustable 9000 shocks WAAG Brush Guard and now... 2003 Sport V-8 4X4 Galactic Gray Mica Leather, Sun Roof no mods for a while...

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