4.0 automatic high RPM cruising

Well, if it's reading actual rpm correctly, not sure if that's established yet....
Maybe?

 

If the cluster gauge is interpreting the rpms incorrectly, the rpms will show higher. The calculations used to show rpm for 4 cylinder vs a 6 cylinder are different. All has to do with the internal programming of the cluster. Unfortunately at idle, the calculations are small and may not show a big difference until at higher rpms.

 

the actual gauge overlay tends to share all the individual icons(options) across the various version of a particular model. It does break further down between autos and manuals, engine redline, mph/kph etc... the plastic housing underneath has all the cutout regardless if that icon is actually a feature of the vehicle.

 

Alright everybody, I hope I didn't buy a truck where someone committed fraud with the odometer, that would be a huge bummer. I went out and did some tests. Put it in 4 wheel drive and accelerated. Everything was smooth, no issues. Then I cruised at 50 and shifted from D to 4 to 3. In D it's about 2300 rpm at 50, about 3100 in 4, and 4500 in 3. Idle is about 1500 rpm. I also put it in L and maxed it out, hit the limit at 6500 RPM.

 

someone with an auto will have to chime in but I don’t think the rev limiter is supposed that high. I have a manual so I can’t verify.

and idle shouldn’t be 1500 in “park” and no accessories on.

as for fraud, that’s a legal case you probably would win but in any case - seek a lawyer.

 

I believe the idle rpm should be 650 - 750 rpm.

I really wish I could be there to see and feel the truck run.
Something just doesn’t seem “right” about this whole situation.

 

My V6 auto won't let my RPM's into the red, past 5,500 RPM.

It's an interesting situation and I wouldn't jump to any kind of fraud just yet. Hopefully the collective minds here can figure this out. @OP, I do hope you figure out what's going on.

Is there any way you can drive another V6 auto Tacoma to compare?

 

Something is off. I bought mine brand new with the same package you have. Maxed out on 285's, foot to the floor it hit about 123MPH and wouldn't go above 6000 RPMs.

 

Close, but... It takes 150lb to engage the clutch pack. Still can't decide which I like better the TRD mechanical or TrueTrac, that's why I have one of each

 

Sounds like your tach is reading 1k rpms too high! Idle should be ~550 rpms and revlimit is for all intents and purposes is 5600rpms.

 

That wouldn't be too bad, I suppose. I wonder if there is a way to fix it. I never really paid attention to when it was shifting before. It didn't seem unusual on the test drive or at any time until I noticed the rpm on the freeway at 65. Now I'm noticing when I accelerate at my usual slow pace on a flat road, it shifts through the gears quickly and gets to D by 40 MPH. Does that sound about normal? I drove about 300 miles between 65 and 70 with rpms showing around 3,000-3200 for the entire drive. I got 20 MPG for the trip.

 

I would agree that the cluster has been replaced with a later model.
Pic of my 07 TRD Offroad for reference at idle for a few minutes

 

I woild double check it's not regeared, but if you can verify atrac is not in 2008, something is weird.

 

ATRAC was an option in 2009, it’s possible all 2009 trucks have the same dash and maybe they switched to the updated part late in the 2008 manufacturing cycle.

 

It is possible.... The mystery deepens

 

Looks like your truck is mechanically sound. The instrument cluster is not. Your engine would have been toast at 6500 rpm with stock internals.

 

Agreed, if it revs fine that high the tach is just set too high for some reason. Maybe a dealer level scan tool could change it?

 

I dont believe the converter is allowed to lock up either when in 4Lo.. So if the ECU thinks its stuck in 4Lo Im not sure that makes sense.

For my truck (stock gears, only a few sizes up in tires) 3k rpm at 65-70 mph is definitely 4th gear.

Didnt have time to read the full thread, but it seems like it would be pretty easy for the OP to shift to 4th gear at 65 mph and see what happens to RPM. Could have been re-geared by the PO for towing or something..

 

OP's tach is simply reading 1k rpms too high.

 

Ahh ok. Maybe a gauge cluster swap was done for some reason..