Looking at an '88, & have some noob questions

[seely]

I found a pretty clean '88 SR5 with a newer rebuilt engine at a decent price locally and went to check it out. It all seems mechanically solid, the engine pulls very strong, but the auto trans seemed to "hunt" a bit. I'm not familiar with 4runners (previously owned 1st gen Monteros), but they do share a trans, more or less, in theory.

I got the truck up to highway speeds no problem, but it seemed when I hit 4th that there was almost another shift afterward. I'm assuming this is O/D, but I've never noticed such a pronounced O/D shift before.

Also, at lower speeds, the trans seemed to "hunt" up and down a bit even with my foot steady on the gas, on slight to moderate inclines. It didn't seem to slip, and it shifted smoothly. Just seemed to shift more than I expected.

I'm used to something with a bit more displacement, so I am willing to concede it could be due to the smaller power plant, but just want to be sure this is relatively normal for a 4runner auto trans.

Appreciate a heads up on any other advice you'd have to someone looking at a 1st gen 22RE with an auto. Thanks!

 

[DC runner]

The engine is reliable, but it is a 80's 4 cyl that would be considered under powered in today's vehicles.

I would imagine it was the transmission was working harder to keep the rpm's at a good band. To give you an idea, just how under powered it is, compared to today:

According to the specs: the 22re came in 2 versions, that either put out 78 or 84 HP at 4600-4800 rpm.


That is why a manual would be preferable in it; as you have much more control. Just to compare, my 1988 Subaru station wagon put out about that much and it struggled on the freeway!

EDIT: Do not kill me for this, it is a great engine; I was simply trying to explain WHY at high speeds his transmission might be hunting up and down hills!

 

[seely]

I figured as much, it was just odd as it didn't seem like the truck was bogging or struggling at any point; it was almost like the trans was shifting early or a little too eagerly. Regardless, it was smooth and performance was pretty good up to about 70-75 mph.

 

[KidVermicious]

I have the same underpowered 22RE the OP does, and it doesn't hunt like that. It does downshift right away when I'm flat out and hit a hill or a headwind... the 22RE doesn't mind WOT at all, but even with my aftermarket cam there's not a lot of torque up there for it to play with either.

By the way, DC, spec on a late 22re is 112 HP. Not a huge difference, but we'll take all we can get.

 

[DC runner]

That was my bad, I transposed the KW to HP ratio. I do in fact see that it is 112....

 

[SV_Dude]

By the way, DC, spec on a late 22re is 112 HP. Not a huge difference, but we'll take all we can get.

Maybe I'm just being hopeful, but I think I'm getting about 150 hp out of mine

 

[seely]

The guy selling this figures about 140hp. He got a header for it, and did an oversized pipe, no catalytic converter, with a freshly rebuilt head and a remanufactured lower. I was surprised how well it moved with the automatic (especially once past 1st gear), so maybe he isn't too far off.

 

[KidVermicious]

Maybe I'm just being hopeful, but I think I'm getting about 150 hp out of mine

So dyno it. If you're making over 140 I'll go back and read your build thread again.

What does a dyno run normally cost, anyway?

 

[SV_Dude]

So dyno it. If you're making over 140 I'll go back and read your build thread again.

What does a dyno run normally cost, anyway?

I'm not sure what a dyno costs, but I'm not really interested in doing it. If I built a race car I would. All I wanted was enough power for my 4runner to get out of its own way.

All I can tell you is that I'm running 35's on steel wheels, 5in lift and stock 4.10 gears and my 4runner does pretty well.

FWIW: For what I spent building my motor, I could have done a 3.4 swap and had a lot more power.

 

[WoodsRunner88]

I drive a 84 Xtra Cab 2WD that has a 22R and the automatic, I noticed it does want it's revs to be higher when around any type of hills. The truck only has 120,000 miles on it so I am confident it is working correctly. And when it hits O/D you can definetly feel it, it kicks in at no slower the 52 mph, and drives great so I wouldn't be too concerned, and when the trans is cold, it shifts harder also.