I have a 85 xtra cab pickup with the 22r and it loses speed on the steep hills on the highway, going from 55-45 and can't tow a snowmobile trailer with one snowmobile on it very well. It really is extremely gutless. Is there anything I can do to this thing short of going to a fullsize pickup with a bigger engine?

 

gears...

 

How would gears affect my mileage? Would they still allow me to get up to 65 MPH?

 

Depends on the tire size. You didn't say what size tires you have. I'm going to go to 4.88s in my 4runner w/ 31's. I could probably do 4.56s but I'd like to have some extra power and the option of running 33x10.50s if I ever decide to.

I assume you have a 5 speed...I don't forsee a problem in going 65. The RPM's will be a little higher, but between 3 and 4 is where you should be on the interstate. Anything below 3K and my motor feels like it's lugging. If you're expecting a 22R to tow uphill without downshifting to keep the RPM's up....I can only tell you to downshift.

As far as getting more power out of the motor....Outside of expensive modifications. A camshaft will give you good bit more tourqe and power. I hear that the LCE header does a bit of good. And as always, an upgraded exaust with a good muffler and if you want, a free flow cat can be alot of help. I noticed a big jump in power after I got a new exaust.

I don't suggest K&N filters...I don't know if they make any other performance filters for 22r...I'd like something, but the K&N didn't do a damn thing, except not filter properly.

 

From my experiences, a Weber carb and a good header and exhaust are going to be your best bang for the buck. If you have bigger than stock tires, gearing will make a world of difference. Ive got 31's and stock 4.10 gearing and my truck pulls pretty decent, granted my engine isnt exactly stock.

 

I'am running 235's, so are gears what I should go for or should I start with an exhaust system? I want to try one thing at a time to see where each piece puts me. Oh yeah and it is a 5-speed.

 

I think the stock 4.10s (if that's what you have) should be sufficient gearing for 235s. Get an exaust system and see what you think. It shouldn't be too expensive. If that's not enough, try a different carb like mentioned above. A cam will help too.

If it's still not enough you could jump up to 4.56 gears......it will limit your top speed, but I don't think it will keep you from going highway speeds.

 

Stock, I was able to lug around a large four wheeler with no problems. I would look into a Weber carb, cam, and header. That would be the greatest low to mid range improvement. An exhaust is not really going to help until you do the header. Also you may want to check your cat, if it gets clogged, it will rob power.

 

Yeah it seems a little bit too doggy. I think the truck should be abe to maintain a speed of 55mph on the highway. It drops to 45 on some of the steeper hills and I really don't like that. You say I should check the catalytic converter for obstruction? I have a manual would this procedure be in it? And the truck seems to run rough at idle and smoke a fair bit while leaving the ground pretty black and dirty. Ive run two tanks of gas with seafoam through it and still it does this when its started after sitting for awhile. Could my lack of power be from a engine thats not running correctly?

 

Complete exhaust with a new header plus a new carb.
Gears if you need them but your shouldn't with small tires.

 

a weber 32/36 DGV from a early to mid jag 2.8, is basically spot on for my truck with a handmade header.

yeah, first post, but long time reader. finally got around to registering









header in first pics, weber and ricer intake in the last. hey, it's quieter than the pizza pan air cleaners...


to fit the weber, you enlarge the mounting holes on the phenolic spacer, and the carb base. the intake studs can be left alone, but the bolts, i replaced with 1/4" stainless bolts, 2 1/4" washers on each end. dremeled the phenolic to match the weber port spreading down to 22r intake, and basically, you need to rig up a throttle linkage. and, a choke cable unless you convert the choke.

tuning is a carb, you can figure it out. brass button screws leave alone, they'll flood you faster than white on rice.

needle thats pointing towards the door hinge is idle mix. somewhere around 3 turns out works good for me, but im a little rich (healthy backfires when letting off)

 

get a better carb ? throw in a cam add a Lce header full 2.25'' exhaust of your choice should be way better

 

I noticed considerable improvement after replacing the stock carb with the Weber38 on my 84. I was able to drive the steep and not so steep hills in the Texas hill country on the highway without a problem after replacing the carb with 31s and stock gears. I have plans to replace the header and exhaust system soon

 

Im running a webber downdraft and rocking 36's daily. Its not fast but it will do 75 on the highway if i rip on it. I have a downey header and a LCE charger im going to throw on pretty soon. I have thought about not doing the charger and selling the kit because i like my truck as is. If i sell the charger i will be getting gears and should be fine. My tcase is redone so with the lower gearing inthat trails are fine its just getting there. Up the moutains to get there im holding with traffic(45-50) but its not fun.I have a new stock cat back that will be replaced soon with a bigger pipr system once i find a muffler that wont be loud.