Drove an 02 and it made my 00 feel like a station wagon :(

[move120]

Okay so today at work I drove an 02 Sr5 and it looked bone stock and it was clean as it could be both inside and out.

So I did my thing and got in and turned it on ready to move it. And I barely touched the gas and the thing roared forward.

Driving it around the lot, the truck was a LOT quicker and more responsive on the gas than my 00 limited.

How could this be? the 02 had about 80-90k on it and was stock. I was actually very tempted to check under the hood but it wasn't my business to do so hahah darn. The service light was on and there were two orange indicators on as well in the bottom left of the gauge cluster. I think it was like vcs off or something like that idkk.

but can anyone tell me why my 4runner is so slow to get up and accelerate and why that stock sr5 was so quick?

I am planning on changing my transmission fluid and oil soon, and my tires will be rotated and balanced soon as well. I just cleaned my k and n air filter yesterday and cleaned the engine bay too. I am also planning on doing the deckplate mod. Pleaseeee someone answer my question.

 

[redfusion]

When did you last change your spark plugs/fuel filter? I would also try a carbon treatment (lucas/seafoam).

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Was the '02 SC'd?

 

[move120]

i was really tempted to pop the hood but i really doubt it. no SC tags or anything, and seemed to be a bone stock sr5 but it's get up and go power was strangely strong.

it was very clean, but i have been well maintained too

:/

 

[p nut]

Doesn't matter if it was S/C'ed or not. I didn't even feel my S/C kick in until 2-3k RPM in my 98 4Runner, and you can definitely hear the whine of the S/C. I did feel that my 02 I had was a bit more responsive than my 98, though. However, the overall power delivery was the same. Actually take that back, the 98 was supercharged. It's the same as my 01 Tacoma.

The touchy gas pedal might have given you the feeling of "more power", but in reality, if your engine is running good, then they're the exact same in terms of power.

BTW, the lights you saw were the CEL light and VSC/TRAC.

 

[Rock Slide]

i was really tempted to pop the hood but i really doubt it. no SC tags or anything, and seemed to be a bone stock sr5 but it's get up and go power was strangely strong.

See below

The touchy gas pedal might have given you the feeling of "more power", but in reality, if your engine is running good, then they're the exact same in terms of power.

My '02 Sport does the same thing. You can barely touch the gas pedal and the truck will take off in such a way, it feels like it's about to jerk your neck loose. My wife's '00 4Runner is the complete opposite. The pedal feel on her 4Runner provides a much smoother acceleration. Granted I'm use to the '02's pedal feel now, but I still remember that first day I test drove it...the pedal feel made me think the truck was somehow faster than all the other 4Runners I had ever owned.

Like P nut said, it's just a more sensative pedal that's causing you to believe the '02 4Runner is somehow stronger than your '00.

 

[move120]

haha wow I liked the touchy pedal. it just felt like a totally different ride as to how gradual my acceleration is.

I went and bought a STP Fuel System Cleaner, but i'm skeptical to use it because i heard that it builds up wax

anywaysss maybe a SC runner will come in my path at work haha

 

[twitchee2]

I used to drive a 96 2wd with 235k on the clock. When i drive it, its much more torquey then mine is and its quicker. The 96 is quicker off the line then my frineds 6.0l chevy 2500 and my 02 is quite a bit slower then that same truck now. I feel slightly different about the 02 being touchier. the 4.7 in my moms 4runner....talk about touchy

The only difference between the 96 and 02 is 4wd and 225 vs 265 tires. the 96 has 3.73 or 3.91 i forget, and ive still yet to figure out what gears are in the 02.