deck plate mod engine ping problem

I have an '01' V6 tacoma with a 6" deck plate and a drop in K&N air filter. my truck is all stock with just that mod. Well my dad drives my truck to work every day and he says that it has a pretty bad ping when he goes up a certain hill in 5th gear. Not that he is bogging it, but he puts his foot in it pretty good could the deck plate mod be the problem?

 

How many miles on the truck. I doubt it would be the deckplate.

 

x2.

Bad gas (as in the petroleum kind)?

 

No, tell him to shift into 4th and/or upgrade to premium fuel.

 

Ok I will try the premium thanks and if that don't work I will do the sea foam.

 

163000

 

IMO lose the KN garbage, disconnect the POS side of battery, install a stock filter, clean your MAF sensor. Reconnect the battery and then as you drive the computer will learn the new stuff. That deckplate mod will do fine with a stock filter.

 

with the amount of people who have drop-in aftermarket filters and the deckplate mod I highly doubt it is either of those

 

5th gear isn't for hills, you need to teach pops that its an overdrive & is intended for level highway/freeway travel

 

Haha I will thanks. And it's my truck I pay for it but I am 15 so I can't drive by myself. I will try the mas.