More power for going up hill with a 2.7

Are there any mods that will help? When i hit the big hills in my 2.7 I have to down shift. It was loaded with a sh*t load of camping gear and 4 adults though.

 

I guess I don't understand why a person would be surprised (or care) that they have to downshift when climbing a big hill... that is just normal. Many vehicles with larger engines (and automatic transmissions) do so too. It's totally normal to do so... you are asking the engine (any engine) to work harder when climbing a hill... when you do that you have to give it more gear do to maintain speed... don't worry about it... just downshift when you are supposed to. It's like complaining that you have to give it more gas when climbing a hill.

Now if you just want more power because you want more power... that is fine... but the fact that you have to downshift climbing a big hill is not necessarily indicative of lack of power of the 2.7L I4... as I said above... that is just normal for most any engine/transmission combo.

 

Headers provide the best bang for your buck for the 2.7 hands down. But you'll still probably have to downshift as ohdrj1all said...unless you're going 60+ MPH up the hill.

 

I could not agree more. Good post.

 

Try riding a bike up even a slight incline and you'll be scrambling for the shifter to downshift real quick you don't have the torque in a 4 to pull a hill with the ease you seem to be expecting, HOWEVER that is a beautiful engine for what it is, and a hard worker too. Your truck is still 4000 lbs empty which is pretty heavy. With people and gear, I say your truck does fine.

 

As others have said, downshift . I do it In anticipation of every oncoming hill and she climbs like a friggin koala bear up a Eucalypts tree. Nothing that an automatic transmission doesn't already do.

 

lower gears

 

I have the 2.7L, and even myself being a big fan of the 2.7L, I knew people would complain with the power of the Double Cab, 4 cyl offered this year. If your not into speed and power, two couples or 4 adults could cruise around with no problems, but if the same two couples or adults loaded up for a weekend out of town, with personal gear for 4, that alone will begin to challange the truck's limits. Then, add toys, etc. and your probably dogging it up inclines for sure. Does this sound about right? My truck (AC Cab) empty has no issues with inclines, but loaded up with gear I am down shifting for sure...

 

Turbo that bitch!

 

this is America, what do you expect. we want to be able to do more with less, haven't you seen the budget situation?

but none the less i agree with you

 

Downshifting is easiest way if you dont do any modifications, or while you are waiting to do them. Ive noticed my 2.7 doesnt always downshift by pushing harder on the gas, and Sometimes I dont feel like waiting for it to shift. Whenever I am on the freeway if I need some quick passing power I push it over the third, or if I am going up a hill in like city streets or residential areas I pop back into second.

 

As mentioned, the auto will shift itself when needed, but if your about to go up a nice incline, just switch off the overdrive prior to the incline...

 

You could install the URD Supercharger System.

G

 

Does this mean they're ready to ship out?

 

Touche'!

 

From what I have heard, this is your best bet for power without killing your mileage. I'm sure it's also $$. But you'd be hard pressed to spend less money for the same power gains.

 

This is gonna be the cheapest way to make a noticeable difference on hills, but it's gonna cost you gas mileage on the flats.

I don't hear you complaining about speed up these hills, just that you have to downshift.

I personally would accept it as the nature of the beast and leave it alone.

My 09 5 lug Regular Cab 2.7 5 speed requires 3rd gear and 4400 RPM to climb a 7% grade at 70 MPH with 1,000lbs in the back. It's noisy, but the truck does not seem to mind it. It's smooth, doesn't overheat, doesn't sound like it's going to come apart. It's a 4 cyl, it has barely enough power to get the job done and that power only comes at high rpm.

 

Since there are 4cyl double cab guys reading this, where are the pictures of your trucks? I haven't seen one yet. Thought they were supposed to be the lower suspension (5lug)?

 

I have seen two in my city. they look like the normal 5 lug but when you look at it from the side it kinda messes with you mentally. It leaves you asking why doesn't it sit higher.

 

i llove my 4 cycl. it doesnt have the power or torque but it does fine going uphill. with now the deck plate mod, it helps out alot.