well, i finally found base timing on my 93 hilux 4x4. after setting the idle at 850, and experimenting with the timing starting at base (e1/te1 jumped) 5 BTDC, it had significant pinging. then backed up to about 2 BTDC and still have a noticable ping, even after using a good quality gas (BP or EXXON). i checked the vac lines and they appear to be correct and also the rotor, cap and wires look good, btw they are only a year old.any ideas where to go next to stop this pinging condition?

 

Sounds like mine...if I put 87 octane(which it is supposed to accomodate) in it it pings like crazy. With 91 octane it pings variably at highway speeds. Dealer techs (including the supervisor, for what it's worth) said leave it, it's fine. Everything is stock, timing set correctly, and when installed, the rebuilt engine did it EXACTLY the same as the old, original 22RE. I'd love a solution, but "nothing's wrong" with the car!