4runner lurching forward at speed uphill

[02adventurer]

So I was driving home from class the other night coming up a pretty long strenuous hill when. I was going probably about 60 when my car started lurching forward and really was having a hard time getting up the hill, I put it in OD and brought it back down to about 45-50 and got in the 3rd lane...

The car has 175k on it and I've never had this problem before and i haven't seen anybody else having this problem.

Im thinking its possibly the fuel filter? I have some ignition cleaner that I'm going to throw in with a full tank today and then will update.. my second guess is that it could be the spark plugs. they have about 75k on them..

Any help is welcome and thanked...

 

[max magraw]

I am a total rookie who knows very little about mechanics. I know when I cleaned the throttle body, step by step from the forum, used CRC Carb Cleaner I think, it made a HUGE difference.

 

[42s on u]

Fuel filter was big for mine. After it took it out I cut it open, it looked like mud inside... 5 min well spent