Why Is My Tacoma So Slow and Gutless?

I'm wondering if there's something wrong with my truck. It is so slow compared to my old 2000 4runner, which doesn't make any sense because my 4runner was an automatic, my Tacoma is a 5spd and the 4runner is heavier. Both are 3.4 V6 and I am running the same size tires.

I don't understand why my truck is so slow. It runs fine and has no CEL.
Anyone have any ideas?

 

Clogged cat?

 

when is the last time you did a good tune up?

plugs
wires
clean MAF
replace air filter
clean throttle body
run seafoam though vacuum line and gas tank

Is your ebrake stuck (One side of mine was)? Bad wheel bearings?

let us know what you've checked/replaced and it'll help people come up with ideas.

 

I just got the truck 3 weeks ago. All I've done is new wheels and tires and an alignment.

 

Do you know what the gear ratio in the 4runnder was compared to your truck?

 

What size tires are you running compared to what they were? Bigger tires = slow movement unless you regear? Can you tell us what your axle code is?

 

My 4runner was a 4.30 and my Tacoma is a 4.10 but my Tacoma should still be quicker because the gear ratios of my 5spd should make up for the taller 4.10. Right?

 

Well you said you replaced your tired? What size in inches did you go from, to what size in inches you had. I.e. I have 32" tires and 4.10 is perfect for that size.

 

clean the tb and tbs
clean maf
change plugs and wires if you haven't
check cat temp see if its clogged
Check front bank O2 sensor
do the deckplate mod
change oil to full sythetic, as well as gear oil and MT oil
check if your brakes are dragging,
put in some injector cleaner
seafoam the truck for the valves,
adjust throttle cable
change pcv valve if dirty
check egr port to see if clogged
check vaccume leaks
Lube the drive shafts
air up your tire to at least 35psi
after all that, reflash your truck and start fresh

 

And that ^

 

every 1st gen taco owner and 3rd gen 4runner ower should do that when they first get their truck.

 

2nd gen FTW

 

I literally just joined this site to reply to your thread (okay thats not the only reason).
I got my truck almost a year ago now, and up until a few months ago it was RIDICULOUSLY gutless and had no power. It was getting really frustrating and annoying.

I know this might not be the case for every situation...but what I found when changing the timing belt and water pump was that the belt was literally off by about 10%. The belt was pretty much fine but I changed it anyway..Upon actually having it put on the RIGHT way it has so much more power and "go". It was literally like I got a whole new truck, it was that big of a difference.
It really gets it now and I am very happy that it was just a small thing like that. I was starting to get frustrated that I just had a gutless truck.

 

don't forget about the fuel filter, we just replaced it in our 96 4runner and it's definetly peppier.

 

supercharge ftw as well

 

2x what t4r4life and emeraldtriangle said. I got my 99 at 104K and acceleration was like driving through molasses. After I replaced the timing belt, pulleys and hydraulic tensioner, it was like I was driving a racecar! Seriously, it felt like the damn thing was supercharged, the difference was that great. T4R4LIFE's "baseline" post hits the nail on the head. Keep us posted as to what you end up doing, and your results.

 

Just go drive a first gen pickup or anything with a 22re. You'll feel much better about it.

 

nope. gear ratios aren't that far off. 5 speeds 1st is shorter but the others aren't that far off and the 5th is much shorter. 70 on stock in an auto is around 2-2200 vs 25-2700 give or take.


4.30s would give a difference on a 33'' tire yes. 4.10s with a 33s is pretty boggy.