Rethinking lift/tires build

So after a brief road trip to Montana from SLC, I've started to rethink my plans to lift my truck 3 inches, and add 31 inch tires, due to the constant down shifting and power loss on freeway grade hills. Any thoughts on this?

Flat freeway surface, boom, holds freeway speeds like a boss, but any sort of grade, and it was a downshift battle...

I know people are going to suggest the blower to compensate for the loss of power, but I was wondering if anyone else has found a way around it.

 

I think you might have something else going on. 31s with V6 are pretty common - no issues on highway grades.

 

Could you just use the O D off button? Might stop it from hunting all the time.

 

Gearing??

 

If you were using cruise control.......it's not your lift and tires its the cruise control. Even with mild street tires the cruise control will down shift like crazy on a slight incline. It's a programming issue that can't be changed.

 

stock vehicle, 03 DC V6, haven't even put the lift and tires on yet, its all still sitting in boxes in the garage. Most of the freeway driving i did was without cruise control, was only able to use it on the way back when it was mostly downhill. Never messed with the OD button, just looking for any ideas or thoughts.

 

Like johnny3 mentioned, try using your OD button itll "slighty" help with the tranny wanting to hunt for a different gear as often.

Then aside from engine mods like a SC (that u dont wanna do) the only other change that u can make that will truly make a good bit of difference in how the truck pulls through the gears would be to change your diff gears...

 

You definitely have something going on - no idea what.

No reason a 3.4 would have any issues with hills at speed.

My 3.4 prerunner with 31s drives / shifts effortlessly 55-75 regardless of the road-grade.