So i have a 1990 Toyota 4runner V6 4X4 I bought id say probably 4 months ago, and i just recently started to really take it off-roading and such.. but i was wondering what sort of things i can do to really bump up my power, even if its just a little. Going up hills for some reason or going through deep puddles feels like its putting a major strain on my 4runner, its like it doesnt even want to move, and sometimes it doesnt. Any ideas?

172k miles

automatic tranny

 

Well one thing I know that works decently well is advancing the timing to 12. I did that and I have a bit more power and a touch better fuel economy. Other than that the 3.0 is called the 3 slow for a reason.

 

I don't mind that it's slow, it's just the power, it barely can go up a hill.

 

Like I said advance the timing a bit.you could also check things like your air filter, sparks plugs, clean your throttle body, you know tune up stuff.

 

The 3.0 likes to blow headgaskets around 160k
Might wanna do a compression test.

This motor wasn't one of toyotas better ideas, hence why it was only used for 7 production years

 

I think it may be fuel related or tranny related.

 

I know some people don't like doing this but occasionally I run sea foam through my vacuum lines and put some in my gas tank to keep everything a little cleaner and I notice my engine does run better after. I have the 3.0 to.

 

What tire size you running?
What is the axle gear ratio you running?

 

something i have been doing a lot of reading on is the isr mod. It looks basic enough and it gives a chunk power but opens the possibility of hydrolocking a bit. just avoid deep water.

 

Don't use SeaFoam. Use Gumout

 

Cut out your catalytic converter. Your truck is going to be a little louder and will smell like white trash, but you'll free up a little more power because there's less restrictions.