My previous toyota's haven't had the 3.0 V6 so maybe this is normal, but my truck sure seems to lug a bit under 3000 rpm. There's definately a noticeable improvement once I hit around 3k, feels like it's being suffocated before that and isn't overly smooth. Normal?

 

My vehicle had a similar problem. Getting the fuel injectors cleaned fixed it. There's no guarantee that this is your problem though.

 

Mines the same way. The 3vze likes to rev 2nd gear at 3,000rpm... my truck takes off..

 

exactly what mine is doing,I have a thread about postabout finishing the rebuilt 3.0,still trouble shooting

 

Same here. At low rpms the 3vze is slow. At 3000-3500, even 4k it's fantastic- although I worry when pushing up hills at 4k. The engine runs great w/headers+weasy cams but I don't want to blow a head gasket by too much forcing. Some guys say that the 3vze loves revving and that it doesn't harm anything, I want to believe it. Definitely mine is happiest at 3500.