How to get better throttle response FOR FREE!

[dgoll75]

Holy S..t what a difference! Seems so obvious but I overlooked this so many times. Cleaned the throttle body, put a new high flow air intake on, new breather lines, and new plugs, wires and coils. No major difference. This simple adjustment made my truck so much more responsive, quicker from a stop, and idle better. THANK YOU FOR THIS THREAD!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Maritimer]

Depends on whether a mechanic has helped himself to obvious things, I guess, since I found my cable to be tight enough as it was. When I tightened it up last summer I idled high, so I just undid it. I was hoping it was loose as **** and it would turn into a Porsche afterwards.

 

[4Running Daily]

This is amazing. Especially for us stick shift guys, it's way easier stop and go driving!

 

[ntopliffe]

oh im in love with cali first time being to the ocean!

San Diego is nice (grew up there) but you should come to San Francisco! We,ve got everything up here.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Depends on whether a mechanic has helped himself to obvious things, I guess, since I found my cable to be tight enough as it was. When I tightened it up last summer I idled high, so I just undid it. I was hoping it was loose as **** and it would turn into a Porsche afterwards.

Your 10+ y/o gas pedal might be bent and the cables just fine. That is what I was told.

 

[aeroneer1]

To clarify this picture a bit more: The red circle to the left is the cruise control cable. The red circle to the upper right is the transmission kickdown cable. The red circle to the lower right is the accelerator cable. Tighten just enough to remove the slack, but not too tight. Also, cleaning the area (like the spring) from dirt helps too. I spray silicone on the spring and in the cable housings to help with smooth movement and to repel dirt from sticking.

Sweet. On it.

 

[aeroneer1]

I adjusted mine, there wasn't much slack in the line already, but didn't hurt. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Axewhlder]

I just did mine no more than 10 minutes ago. I went a little conservative but I can tell the difference. I may play around with it more in the future but for right now I'm content. Idle is the same just better throttle response. Thanks for the write-up. :biggrin2:

 

[kman55]

Thank you, I will be doing this!

 

[SJC]

Very glad i found this, more people need to know.

 

[blonde1boarder]

Did anyone ever figure out if there is a way to increase tension more after you have maxed out the nuts on the bolts?

 

[hrt4me]

Ok I'm sorry for not posting pics or more instructions. Thank you drew for the pic. here are some instructions for you:

1. Throttle Cable
2. Transmission kickdown cable
3. Cruise control cable

Using two 14mm wrenches, loosen the nut on the left of the 2 nuts (1,2) and to the right of the 2 nuts (3) in the direction of the arrows. Then pull the cable tight and move over the other nut to hold the cable in place. It's better to do this with 2 people, have 1 person sit in the car and push on the gas pedal while the other person adjusts the cable. Doing this will allow the person adjusting the cable to see how much slack is still in the line. Adjusting the cable too tight will cause your throttle to be open a little bit; you will know if it's too tight if you turn on your car and it idles at higher rpm than normal. Adjusting the cable too loose will result in having to push the pedal all the way to the floor to get throttle response. Make sure to tighten all your cable nuts and ta da, throttle response.

thanks, I'll be doing it this afternoon

 

[URBAN ASSAULT]

Thank you! Worked great! I nearly ran over my fence when pulling out of the driveway. It's been a long time since the accelerator felt that good. This will be a one-time only adjustment for me though. Had to adjust the nuts all the way to the end of the bolt on 2 of the cables.
Thanks again!

 

[hrt4me]

Thank you! Worked great! I nearly ran over my fence when pulling out of the driveway. It's been a long time since the accelerator felt that good. This will be a one-time only adjustment for me though. Had to adjust the nuts all the way to the end of the bolt on 2 of the cables.

how much did you have to adjust the bolt (i.e. how many turns, or how many fractions of an inch of cable length)?

 

[URBAN ASSAULT]

how much did you have to adjust the bolt (i.e. how many turns, or how many fractions of an inch of cable length)?

Adjusted each cable until snug. Prob about 1/2" and prob at least 5 turns. But wasn't counting. Just take up all slack and retighten.
I was a little unclear when reading the posts but once I opened the hood and got my hands on it it was clear what needed to happen. You'll love it!

 

[Rattlecanpaint]

Did anyone ever figure out if there is a way to increase tension more after you have maxed out the nuts on the bolts?

Try bending the arm on the pedal a bit. (I believe you will want to pull the rod away from the firewall.) Seems that is the original issue here as opposed to stretched cables. Adjusting the cables is the easier fix though.

 

[BlackCat914]

how much did you have to adjust the bolt (i.e. how many turns, or how many fractions of an inch of cable length)?

I just did mine tonight and nearly maxed both the throttle body cable and the kick-down cable out, but man, it's such a huge difference. It took probably 3/4" of dead slack out of my gas pedal, and I can't believe how much better the trans shifts now. It's so nice and crisp vs. slow and lazy before tightening.

edit: my trans kick-down cable was the worst, I could pull the cable out of it's place holder because there was so much slack in the line.

 

[BaseRunner]

I just did this mod...Feels like I have a V6 now!! haha thanks OP!!

 

[blue dog]

Just did mine, took all of about 3 minutes. My adjustments were maxed on the cruise and throttle, no more room to go any farther. Cruise was just flopping in the wind basically.

 

[wanta4runner]

Got the cruise and the kickdown done but the left nut on the throttle is stuck and all it does is turn the bolt. Going to get some pliers from work and have a buddy help on monday. There's a lot of slack in the throttle cable but the kickdown and cruise wasn't that bad.