I just picked up an 89 extra cab 2WD for my new toy. It has the stock 3.0 in it and i've noticed it is very sluggish in acceleration, and it is almost impossible to get it over 70mph on the freeway. I've had one of these previously and didn't have any problems with acceleration like I am now, however the last one I had was on stock rims and tires, and my new one is on 15" rims and 31" tires. Is this what is adversely effecting my acceleration?

 

For comparison, my truck is on 31" tires mounted to 15" wheels andI turn about 3,000rpm at 75mph. My recommendation is to do a thorough tuneup for starters. Make sure chassis is straight and wheel alignment is proper, brakes aren't dragging and tires inflated properly.

After that, I can't recommend the following enough:
1. Headers w/ 2 1/4" free flow exhaust system
2. Electric cooling fan
3. Cold Air Intake

Headers will significantly increase the temp under the hood and you will get a small performance gain by feeding cold air. I use a ARB snorkel just to ensure a clean, cold air supply to the intake. Those K&N straight intake systems just draw even more hot air then the factory setup.

The 3.0 is not a bad motor when it can breathe properly.

 

Are you Auto or 5spd? 31" tires on an auto without gearing will KILL your acceleration. What have you done to the truck tune up wise?

 

Its a 5spd. and so far i've done absolutely nothing to it, its bone stock. And I do have a bent upper A arm on the driver side do you think this could be a contributing factor? And what would you call a thorough tune up? What would I be doing to it? Also yesterday I took it out in the mud for the first time and afterwards I was sitting in front of my house and it just died. It started back up no problem and then died again. It only did it twice and it started right up just fine both times afterwards and I haven't had any problems with it dying like that since.

::EDIT:: And when it died those two times my check engine liight popped on for a second then turned off.

 

Any ideas why my truck was dying?

 

You need to start with:

OEM Cap, Rotor, Wires, Plugs (gapped correctly), Air Filter, Fuel Filter and PCV Valve. Then start troubleshooting from there. WHen I got my 4Runner I was at 12mpg after a few fixes I get 17-18 city and 19-20 Hwy. Thats with 5spd V-6 4.88's and 32" tires.

Kirk

 

Awesome thanks for the pointers.

 

Make SURE you get OEM parts not aftermarket parts. Toy's don't like aftermarket ignition parts.

 

Lol did you learn this the hard way? And also is the PCV valve the line that goes from the valve cover to the air intake?