What am I missing?

This sounds like a case of a guy trying to convince someone in his household he needs to spend a little on goodies for the truck. So you show them it just isn’t adequate stock by driving poorly, I guess we better regear, don’t you think dear?

So let’s not ruin this for him. You’ll need to regear if you want this thing off pavement

 

At least to a 4.7 when i came from that. Even when going down a steep grade with the 3.5 in S mode's 4th or 3rd gears you wonder where's the engine braking in this truck.

 

IMO traction control detected wheel spinning and cut engine power to stop it.

 

He needs turbos too

 

Sounds to me like the TC was taking over and not allowing to rev up. Happens in deep sand all of the time If not turned off or in 4-lo.

To turn it all the way off, you have to hold in the button for 5 seconds, not just click it once.

 

I was just coming here to say this as well. Another vote for TC.

 

More than likely it was because your 4Runner, even empty had more weight over the rear wheels (and in general) that your empty Taco does. I used to have a Gen 2 T4R, 2WD and it went many places off-road easily where my pick-up truck with a mild lift and aggressive tires would struggle, unless I had a couple of hundred pounds in the bed.

Turning the traction control nannies off will help, but adding some weight to (what is already a very light) bed should help.

 

I would agree with the weight, but only if he was spinning the rear tires.

 

you weren't in 4lo or didn't have traction control disabled .

 

Sounds like you needed to turn off VSC

 

To be honest, we are not sure if the OP was in 4WD or not.

 

I was just there over Labor Day weekend. You’ve got to remember that your above 10k feet in elevation, there’s not a lot of air up there and your power will be reduced drastically. You needed to have that truck in 4 low and 1st or second gear. I tried 4 high when I was there and it wasn’t worth it. I’m regeared to 4:88 and it still needed 4 low. There’s nothing wrong with your truck so breathe easy.

 

Thank you to those that were truly trying to help. I will make sure I check the boxes on your suggestions when I head back out. Honestly I only used 4lo a couple of times on the 4runner in all the years that I owned it and it did great on the very same trails in 4hi. I assumed the Tacoma would be the same. I will try 4lo more and get the RPMs up.
Again thanks to those with helpful tips.