I just bought a 91 4runner about 3 months ago and have been incredibly happy with it's rugged practicality and it's good looks, but this thing is so unbelievably slow that I'm beggining to think I should sell it before it blows up. When I first bought my Yota I noticed a loud ticking in the engine, (it sounds like someone rattling BB's around in a tin can) but I assumed it was just lifter tick. I changed the oil the first day I had it and put in some heavy weight 15w50 and some Lucas oil. The rattling sound is a little quieter since the oil change, but it's still loud enough to be really annoying. I'm good friends with a local mechanic and he assured me that all 4runners were underpowered, but this thing is rediculously slow. It will accellerate ok on flat terrain, but the moment you attempt to go uphill it bogs down and looses speed quickly. This weekend, on my way to see my girlfriend in springfield, I got passed by a freaking Geo Metro! I would begin accellerating uphill at about 75mph and by the time I reached the top of most of the hills my 4runner was straining to maintain 50mph! My fuel economy is really bad too. If I fill my tank with 16 gallons of 87 octane fuel, I only average about 180 miles before it's completely empty! Is this normal performance for a 2nd gen 3.0 v6?

 

Haha, I'm guessing you have the 3.0 v6? Do a search, there are a few things to help it out, but your pretty much stuck with that mind blowing performance...I had one, thats why I have a 3rd gen!

 

No dude, that's just about right. I take it you have an auto? The manuals are better, but not by much hehe. You should clean your throttle body, that helped me...get some headers maybe...there's not much else you can do and keep it cheap. Oh you could also do the ISR mod and new exhaust if you haven't done that yet.

 

I had a '90 with the same engine and I used it to tow a bass boat and a pop-up camper. Even without anything behind it, it was slow as poop.

I had the timing advanced about 4 degrees and I used 89 or 91 octane about 1-2 fill-ups before towing. That seemed to help me maintain or not lose as much speed when hill climbing.

I now have a 3rd gen and I feel for ya'.:pat:

 

got a few ideas suggestions for you ( in no paticular order)
#1 try a K&N fipk type air filter gets you more power and a cool wooshing sound. - not too pricey
#2 free flow cat and oversize 2.5" exhaust - moderate price
#3 stop flying so close to the sun - free
#4 flex a lite electric fan
#5 advance the timing til the engine pings then back off a quarter turn (do this after the K&N goes on...
Hope these ideas help Cheers Aviator

 

I have a '91 4-Runner 3.0l, 5spd, SR5.
I use at least 89 octane gas, and 91
if I am going wheeling. Also change the fuel filter. I noticed a big jump in power and mpg.
I also have a K&N filter and Borla exhaust.

Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/68605867ULiDoX

 

The ticking you describe sounds like the injectors. They are notoriously loud on the 3.0

Check your timing - I wouldn't advance too much.

Clean your throttle body out. That helped my power quite a bit.

Do the airbox mod that UKMyers posted recently.

Check your tire pressure. This is a heavy truck and you'd be surprised how much air the tires can hold before the ride becomes too stiff. 38 front 40 rear is a starting point. Adjust for ride comfort, performance, and gas mileage.

Stop mashing the gas pedal. You'll get much better mileage. With mostly city driving I get 280 miles to the 1/4 tank mark. I used to only average 220 till I gave up keeping up with traffic and just slowed down.

Lastly - what gears do you have in the differentials? If you are geared for the smaller tires and have 31's or bigger you will definately have major power issues as well as gas mileage.

 

Oh wow. I seriously get like 10 mpg city... And I don't even accelerate hard anymore cause it slips in first, so there's no point in taking off fast.

How is it done?

 

Thanks for all of the reply's. This message board is great. I think I'll change my fuel filter this weekend and try and advance the timing a little bit. I have already added an open air cone filter, but it did'nt really increase my horsepower at all. My yota does sound alot meaner when im at WOT with the new intake though. I'm planning on adding a full 3.25" custom exhaust and removing my cat as soon as I get my next pay check. I have 15x10 american racing wheels wrapped with 31" goodyear radials. What PSI should I run for best performance/gas mileage? Also, What the hell is the ISR mod?

 

You said your truck is slipping in first. Your tranny needs to be looked at. We're talking an auto tranny right? I'm not at all familiar with Toyota autos and therefore don't know if bands can be adjusted like on some I've worked on. Don't put money in the exhaust until you know your tranny is in good shape because it could fail on you later and that will cost $$$. If its a 5 speed and you feel slipping its time for a clutch which is about an 8 hr job.

15w50 is very thick and may be hurting your mileage. These engines were designed for 10w30 and unless you have low oil pressure I wouldn't go so thick.

 

Also change your plugs and wires along with the fuel filter and add a can of fuel system cleaner to your next tank of gas.

 

Today seemed like a great day to do some tweaking on the Yota so I went to Autozone and picked up a Timing light and a Fuel Filter and I started going to work on it in an attempt to squeeze a few extra ponies out of my limpwristed little 3 liter.

I just started a few minutes ago and I've already run into a little problem... I can't find the Filter. Where the hell is it?

Also, how high can I advance the timing without getting knock on 89 octane gas?

 

I have had mine as high as 12 degrees but I'm at close to 4000 feet altitude. Altitude helps a lot to avoid pinging.

The fuel filter is on the passenger framerail by torsion bar. Get a large container to collect fuel as I've heard it can really come out. I'd park uphill to keep fuel from coming out of the tank.

 

If I am underneath my yoya near the front passenger side wheel looking up should I be able to see it, or do I have to remove the tortion bar before I can see it at all?

 

It is further down the frame where the torsion bar is close to the transfer case. It can be done without removing anything to get to the filter but it is tight in there.

 

Yeah that fuel filter is a PITA. If you aren't going to order the K&N then you should go ahead and replace the air filter. Otherwise just follow everyone else's suggestions.

Good Luck

 

Heh heh, sorry a little late, but I saw your comment about the geo and had to tell my geo story. I have the 22R (4cyl) and I "cut off" some geo metro filled with punk teenagers, like 5 of 'em. They started following me, and when I got on the throttle, they still kept up with me.:cry: I have to get more ponies...:cry:

 

Well, After cramping my fingers into a few positions I didn't think were possible, and dumping about half a gallon of gas on face, Im proud to say that I finally got the fuel filter replaced.
I can't really tell any horsepower increase, but the annoying hesitation I used to get when I first hit the gas pedal has finally stopped since I put the new filter on. Im going to keep a close eye on my gas guage and see if my fuel economy gets any better. I guess I'll bump up my timing tomorrow and see If that helps at all. I also have an appointment with my muffler guy on Tuesday. He's going to remove my catalytic converter and install a custom 2.25" pipe and a turbo muffler for about $75 . If the new exhaust and timing increase still don't help, I think Im gonna have to sell my Toy and find something else to drive.