I'm givin her all she's got Captin!!!

[BobsTrail]

Use select shift instead of Drive, that helps the shift points a little and push the skinny pedal more. As another member said "push it and it will go".

 

[Engineer]

Just got back from the Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons national park. At high elevation and climbing the mountains the power definitely leaves something to be desired. My wife who does not care about cars at all commented several times when she was driving that it would not accelerate and it was scaring her. She never complained about any other vehicle we have owned in the same conditions. Another time on relatively level roads she commented that the 4runner sounded like it was straining while she was driving. When climbing hills on the interstate she hates taking the cruise off when the speed limit is 80. It will kick down into 3rd gear and turn 4600 rpm going 80. She would like to let it go like this for miles on long steep grades. I finally told her to turn off the cruise control and let the other cars pass us. Once at more normal altitude and normal hills it seemed fine until I got back to Lake Havasu in Arizona where it was 110 degrees. Then the power goes away again.

I will second this, we just got back from the same trip plus canyon lands. In the mountains it wasn't so bad because I would just drop it into 3rd and go but in the minor hills of WY/SD the truck did not like to go 80mph. Understand the mods I have done don't help a lick and it is basically a brick so this was not un expected but it did make me wish I had 4.56 gears.

 

[Engineer]

Use select shift instead of Drive, that helps the shift points a little and push the skinny pedal more. As another member said "push it and it will go".

Maybe I should RTFM but I didn't think that shift select actually did anything to shift points.

 

[3wbdriver]

You guys all sound like you're 17 years old and drive too fast.

I don't think I've ever been over 70mph (rural speed limit here is 75).
I don't think I've ever pushed the throttle to 75% (rarely to 50%).
I only use the cruise control on level stretches and when nearly empty roads.
When climbing steep grades it's OK to let the speed drop to 65.
:ranger:

I 've nothing planned today that's exciting - that's why I bothered to reply....

I bet you drive in the left lane with your right blinker on too. :hiding:

 

[WTERUNNER]

your speed almost matches your age!:lmao: ..... I kid, I kid, I agree 100%. I have never heard of a 4runner that couldn't get to its destination because it didn't have 300hp.........

It's close, it has 270 hp :lmao:

 

[Engineer]

It's close, it has 270 hp :lmao:

I hope the ATM gives you $270 the next time you ask for $300, then lets talk about it being close eace:

 

[WTERUNNER]

I realize the 4Runner isn't a race car and neither was my FJ. All I'm saying is the FJ felt much more responsive, press on the throttle and it would downshift and go. The 4Runner feels more lazy and less responsive. If I could get it to respond like my FJ that would be enough.

 

[manofsteele2003]

I also noticed this also coming from an FJ but quickly realized that this weighs quite a bit more especially since I have the third row. I added a K&N intake and Magnaflow exhaust which helped but it is an SUV and if I want to drive something faster I ride my Harley.

 

[WTERUNNER]

I also noticed this also coming from an FJ but quickly realized that this weighs quite a bit more especially since I have the third row. I added a K&N intake and Magnaflow exhaust which helped but it is an SUV and if I want to drive something faster I ride my Harley.

I was considering the TRD intake and Magnaflow or Borla exhaust. I don't think TRD makes an exhaust for the 15 4Runner.

 

[DesertCanyons]

T4R power in Utah

The 4Runner has lots of power. And there's not much you can do to improve that. It's designed for fuel efficiency, not racing up grades trying to outrun sedans that weigh half as much or full size pickups with 350 hp V8s.

Yesterday I was returning from Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. I was climbing a long steady grade from about 6000 feet to 7500 feet on highway 89 south of Bryce. Driving my 1995 Jeep GC with the classic 5.2L V8 and plenty of power at around 65 or 70 mph I was loaded with a weeks worth of hiking and camera gear, being closely followed by a white Toyota pulling a trailer of toys (2 jet skis as I recall). I did not want a Toyota Tacoma or whatever passing me on level ground and then following him as he climbed grades so I kept the petal to the metal, while trying to keep within the speed limit. Finally, at Long Valley Junction I turned off at highway 14 to go over Cedar Breaks into Cedar City. It was then that I realized I was being followed closely by a Toyota 4Runner pulling a small cargo trailer.

The T4R has plenty of power. I was glad to see this for myself. I get my 4Runner in a few weeks.

 

[3wbdriver]

I realize the 4Runner isn't a race car and neither was my FJ. All I'm saying is the FJ felt much more responsive, press on the throttle and it would downshift and go. The 4Runner feels more lazy and less responsive. If I could get it to respond like my FJ that would be enough.

How long did you own the FJ? Is it possible it started life the same way and adapted to your driving style? By your own admission you only have 100 miles on the 4R. Give it at least 1 full tank of gas to "adapt" to you.

 

[Jhalko]

I drive this puppy up and down the mtns here about every other weekend. I really don't know what you people at sea level are complaining about.

 

[ILIR]

I'm coming from a 400 rwhp Camaro SS, my 2012 4Runner surprised me with its power, definitely more than I expected.

 

[thebwlife]

I also noticed this also coming from an FJ but quickly realized that this weighs quite a bit more especially since I have the third row. I added a K&N intake and Magnaflow exhaust which helped but it is an SUV and if I want to drive something faster I ride my Harley.

I'm razzing you, I'm a big Harley fan also.

 

[WTERUNNER]

How long did you own the FJ? Is it possible it started life the same way and adapted to your driving style? By your own admission you only have 100 miles on the 4R. Give it at least 1 full tank of gas to "adapt" to you.

Had the FJ for 7 years, put 60,000 miles on it. The 4Runner needs to break in. Plus who knows what kind of crap gas the dealer put in it.

 

[flyboysgt]

Just got back from the Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons national park. At high elevation and climbing the mountains the power definitely leaves something to be desired. My wife who does not care about cars at all commented several times when she was driving that it would not accelerate and it was scaring her. She never complained about any other vehicle we have owned in the same conditions. Another time on relatively level roads she commented that the 4runner sounded like it was straining while she was driving. When climbing hills on the interstate she hates taking the cruise off when the speed limit is 80. It will kick down into 3rd gear and turn 4600 rpm going 80. She would like to let it go like this for miles on long steep grades. I finally told her to turn off the cruise control and let the other cars pass us. Once at more normal altitude and normal hills it seemed fine until I got back to Lake Havasu in Arizona where it was 110 degrees. Then the power goes away again.

Pretty much exactly what I experienced last week. I took the 8 hour trip from Wichita, Ks to Colorado Springs. On I-70 where it was mostly flat it was fine. Cruise control did drop gear A LOT! Driving around C Springs it felt like a turd unless I shifted it myself, held the gears, and mashed the skinny pedal. This was with a couple hundred pounds of tools and another person in the vehicle, but still very little to be desired. I think the engine has plenty of power (although I'd be one of the first in line for that supercharger that's never coming), but the transmission really needs some work.

 

[flyboysgt]

Try this: Put a few business cards and some receipts in the tray next to the USB plug, leave the flip door open. Nail the throttle all the way from a stop and all the crap will come flying out toward you and the shifter.

Not bad for an overweight suv, you just have to push it. But don't try to race the Mustang GTs.

When I want to drive for fun I use my son's Cadillac CTS, when the pavement ends it's 4Runner time.

Shouldn't have to floor it everywhere you go or at every stop light. Plus, your argument is invalid. A geo metro could do that...hell a golf cart can make a business card move.....

 

[KostyaK]

Ok I realize this is a big SUV but man this thing feels slow compared to my FJ. I'm hoping it gains more pep as I get more miles on it, only have 100 miles so far. Definitely going to have to look at some power mods like the TRD intake and an exhaust. What mods have forum members done to increase the performance?

I understand the frustration but it is just a matter of getting used to it. I am coming from a high revving honda and I am fine with this thing now. When you get used to this thing it performs just fine.

I suggest someone who has access to your new toy moves the seat forward on you a couple of inches. You will be impressed with throttle response next morning ... until you realize what's wrong. I had that happen to me - dealer moved the seat and never set it back. The point is you will get used to your truck and will enjoy it much more - give it some time. It worked for me.

 

[Formidable]

The 4Runner is slow as shit. Always has been. Always will be. 10 sec 0-60 on YouTube by several sources. Now that TRD is out of the picture, all hopes rest on URD to get us a supercharger... Just to make this thing normal.

Check out urdusa.com... They have headers, and a pretty sweet spec u exhaust system for our application. Won't be making big dents in that 0-60, but They have some products worth taking a look at.

 

[manofsteele2003]

I'm razzing you, I'm a big Harley fan also.

Ha nice, I did have a crotch rocket prior to though.