Performance issues

Hello every one I am in need of some help/ advice here. I absolutely love my Tacoma but it is really pushing me to sell for something bigger like a v-8 or diesel. Here is what is going on. My truck is a 2006 TRD off road with the 4.0. It is a 4x4. There is a 3 inch lift with 32 inch tires (nothing big). While traveling to a mountainous area my truck really struggles. Just trying to maintain the 65 mph speed while going on a 4-6% grade incline my truck has to drop into second gear. Just to let everyone know no I am not pulling anything. My brother has a 2008 4runner (urban 4x4) and he told me that he doesn't even downshift going through hills. My friend was in her 2008 tacoma (prerunner) behind me and she said her truck doesn't hardly down shift.

So my question(s) is did Toyota change something within those two years to have better performance, is it the fact that my truck is a 4x4 with a lift, or could there something wrong? Any advice or thought is much appreciated.

 

Sounds like your truck needs a tuneup. Nothing has changed performance wise in the newer tacomas.

 

Sounds like ur truck could use some Viagra.

But seriously I drive 4-6% inclines all the time and have no problem. Check the timing, when that is off power can be reduced significantly.

 

Unless I'm towing or hauling a big load, my '06 will climb an 8 or 9% grade without losing speed in 6th gear - and that's with 235/85r16s (31.75")

While your auto is geared differently, it sounds as though something is seriously wrong. I'd start with a full tune - up with a compression test and MAF / throttle body cleaning unless all your maintence it right up to date. The 4.0 is no slouch when running as it should be.

As for the comment about checking timing, the timing is non-adjustable and can only be checked with a scan tool.

 

TRD Supercharger.

 

I don't think thats normal.

 

spark-plugs?

hard too imagine it could be so gutless without having something wrong enough to throw a code.

 

Definitely something wrong...thats not normal haha

 

Agreed!...

 

How many miles do you have on your 2006?

 

Compression test

 

My truck did the same thing last year and last month I changed the spark plugs so it's not that. The truck has 88k on it. If it was something serious wouldn't a light be coming on or running rough? It runs while idling very smooth, and while driving it runs smooth. Maybe I'll take it to my mech and check my compression.

Here is a thought could it be a computer issue? My brother-in law had a tundra and his computer did something really funky.no engine code was coming up but he had lost all horse power. It seriously ran like an old diesel that had no turbo. I know that toyota had to do a computer flash and reprogram the CPU.

 

There are possibilities that would not trigger a fault and turn on the CEL (check engine light) - if maintenance is all up to to date, including air filter, throttle body and MAF sensor cleaning, I'd suggest taking your mechanic for a drive while he has his scan tool connected to the live data under load and see what comes up out of the ordinary. And while somewhat rare, ECU's do go bad, and software can get corrupted it seems, but I wouldn't put that as my #1 suspect. A fuel pressure check would be good too, but I would expect lean codes to go along with that.