Lack of Power?

I'd suggest getting a new 3.0. It will fit your budget and fix your truck.

 

Thats the easiest way to do it yeah. If the OP's truck is an sr5 with 4.56 gears than power shouldnt really be an issue. If he can get headers and a stud kit which would eliminate the head gasket issues and increase power of the 3.0 as well, he will be prime.

 

Do you mean just buy a brand new 3.0L?

 

Yeah. That is the cheapest way to go. If not brand new then you can find a good deal on ebay or around the web.

 

My shop teacher thinks its the Throttle Position Sensor. We are gonna look into it more later today and tomorrow.

 

Have you gotten the code? I am having the same problem with mine but it's the knock sensor. Code 52 is for the knock sensor. Bad thing is, it's been replaced so I will have to search further. You can check my build page to show everything that I did to get it running. If it was the TPS then it would spit and sputter when you push on the gas due to it getting too much fuel. You can jump the ECU to figure out what code it is putting out. I forget the two connectors you jump but it's on yotatech.com

 

I've seen these engines go well beyond 300k miles so if the check engine light is on figure out why and that is likely going to fix the truck. Sell the truck, motor swap, put in a (even weaker) 22RE, you guys are nuts! This thing wouldn't have made it to 284k if it was a steaming pile of poo. Find out what the issue is and just fix it. 3.0's are exactly powerhouses but geared correctly they are certainly stronger than a 22RE. I actually prefer the older trucks to the tacomas myself. I was looking for another one after selling my 05 and happened to find a good deal on a 96 tacoma first.

 

It has a miss in the #4 and #6 cylinder. New spark plugs fixed #4 but #6 is still missing. All the cylinders have good compression so now its time to check the injectors. I will still need to replace the TPS and the check engine light was for the engine temperature sensor.

 

Step by step put that truck in perfect running condition. This will allow you to become competent and knowledgable about your own truck. If then you are still not satisfied with this truck, you will be able to sell it at a profit. The link provided to the toyota nation post seemed to have a wealth of information to assist you in getting everything to operate correctly. These electronicly controlled engines reley on signals from the sensors, if, they aren't operating correctly your truck will seem like a POS. Toyota's are worth the effort to get running correctly, they are great sellers for a reason. I see those and older 4runners all over the roads in my city.

 

After reading more of the post at toyota nation linked by H-Bomb in post 10, it specificly mentions the TPS and poor performance. When you get these and any other bugs worked out, you will find you have a very capable truck. Congradulations on your new-to-you truck. Don't be fooled into thinking you have anything less than a great truck.