Power?

[econhonda]

So, I recently threw a 2" lift and 265/75/16 tires on my '99 4runner (automatic) 4X4. I expected to take a small hit on mpg's, but was surprised at how it affected the power of my 4runner. I feel like any small hill at all will require the tranny to downshift to maintain 65-70mph. This isn't horrible, but I just want to see if everybody else experiences the same thing.

My 265/70's were pretty bald so we're talking quite a bit more rubber turning around with my new tires, but I guess I'm surprised it's such a power killer. Is this what everbody else has seen?

I'm planning on doing the deckplate mod soon, but worried it will only affect performance when I really have my foot into it. Any other suggestions?

 

[drinknmolson]

exhaust

I am running a 3" lift with 285/75's and not so much of an issue with CAI and exhaust.

I do have a 5spd tho, which makes a lil bit of a difference.

 

[jrm]

intake mods improve

the throttle response mostly. But youll also get noticably more pull from around 2.5k to redline.

If you combine the elbow and ISP mods youll get better results then just doing the air box mod. Also a muffler helps too.

 

[.Yukon.]

I am in a similar boat looking for power, I just did my lift and a larger tire setup and lost quite a bit of power. I was already running CAI and a Magna Flo, so I felt a loss. Now I am looking for other options and unfortunately only options, supercharger or NA motor build with hi compression pistons and a set of cams. Only options I know of. Anyone have any other ideas?

 

[animal]

How about regearing? That seems to be the only way to get back power and MPG. It costs less than a SuperCharger.

Probably would need to move up to 4:56 gearing to get back to Factory with your lift and bigger tires.

 

[KeatonMP]

My suggestion would be to put shorter gears in the rear end instead of messing with the engine.

1999 Toyota 4Runner 5.29 Gear Install - Kongs 4X4, Phoenix, Arizona

 

[animal]

My suggestion would be to put shorter gears in the rear end instead of messing with the engine.

1999 Toyota 4Runner 5.29 Gear Install - Kongs 4X4, Phoenix, Arizona

The max I would go if I was looking for Stock MPG and Power would be 4:88's. 5.29's seem like you would get more low end power than high end; which is great if you OffRoad a lot and stay under 65mph on the hwy.

 

[brian2sun]

My suggestion would be to put shorter gears in the rear end instead of messing with the engine.

1999 Toyota 4Runner 5.29 Gear Install - Kongs 4X4, Phoenix, Arizona

4x4 cannot be used unless you reager both diffs. Your t-case will grenade if you try 4x4 with say 4.10 in the front and 4.56 in the rear. That said, I agree regearing is the single best mod you can do to restore power and mpgs. Howver it is expensive and here's something to consider..
If you are going to go to the trouble of regearing, think about what size tires you may eventually go up to because to go from 4.10s to 4.56s is a lot of money to spend and still be underpowered for 33s if you decide to go up to those.


These are my recommendations for regearing..
Auto/3.4:
32s - 4.56
33s - 4.88
35s - 5.29

Manual/3.4
32s - leave stock or 4.56 (if you can justify a lot of $$ for a small difference)
33s - 4.56 or 4.88 (4.88 will give you a little more power than stock and you may as well take advantage of it because 2 adjacent gear ratios are not a huge difference anyway - like 200-300 rpms or so at 65 mph)
35s - 4.88 or 5.29

The reason the gear ratio recommendations are different for autos and manuals is because the auto has a very tall o/d gear and will have significantly lower rpms at any given speed with the same tire size as a manual in 5th gear.

 

[96743runner]

I think that the deckplate mod should help you a little. After I did mine, it seems to hold onto a gear slightly longer before downshifting than without the deckplate mod. For the low cost and ease of installing, its worth a try.

 

[econhonda]

Thanks everyone. I'll keep a new exhaust in mind. Re-gearing is maybe a little more than I want to do right now. That will be done in Phase 2 modifications (SAS, armor, etc.) I'll keep you guys posted on the deckplate results. I'm headed to Moab this weekend so I'll have a good 4 hours to determine the results each way.