90 Toyota 4Runner - No Guts or Glory!

[Electro]

I'm back again with an update for all those who remember the trouble i had with Toyota Service Centre previous....

I just picked up my truck from a local Mech - he fixed the Head Gasket (said there was some leaks) and Timing Chain, Therm, some Rad hoses etc...(cost incl labour and taxes $1440CDN - better then Toyota's $2600 so i can't complain i guess).

My new problem is the truck has less power then before!! My mech said its because i have oversized tires (33x12.5x15) and is a 4 cylinder Automatic. But it was running more powerful before i had these things fixed?! Now i have very poor acceleration and it idles low too.  

Does anyone know how to increase the power??? Or should i get smaller tires? I have no idea - but my old 88 toyota corolla could have kicked my ass up a hill...its a bit embarassing really. A good looking truck with nice big tires and grandma can pass me on the highway!!! Come on! Anyone with any help appreciated! Cheers! Thanks again.}

[articsteve]

This happenned as soon as you got it back?

Valve timings changed a bit.  That is the only thing I can think of based on your recent repair.

Could be a vacumm hose off or ruptured during the repair which is easy to do on a 15 year old vehicle.  Although that would lend itself to a rougher idle more than a low idle.

Last week my wife asked me why the heat in the Saab sucked compared to the winter before and I said well; let me count the ways.

Then after I thought about it I took a look and sure enough a small ass vacumm line was off the intake.  I had removed the intake during the summer to install new plugs in the far side of the V6.  So I had goofed up.

[ovr50]

A 4Runner w 4 cyl. auto and oversize tires is definitely going to be doggish; but is that your problem? I have no idea..sorry. I do know you should probably downsize the tires tho.

[Sterling]

Now that it runs just sell it. I sense a never ending stream of problems with this truck.

[jeeper]

Electro its sad but im with Sterling on this one...
sell the truck asap, it seems that u hve a bomb ready to explode!!!

will be better if u find a different SUV with better care and maybe newer?

[ericthejet]

Maybe you need a HEMI?  I'd go over the repairs with the tech. when you get a moment.

[jeeper]

not a Hemi but maybe a Ford Explorer or an old Jeep Cherokee would be a better buy...

[Electro]

Not sure if it has a Hemi or not. How do i know if it does? To my knowledge it has a 2.4 / 22re engine. Its fuel injected. It also has a KN air filter.

I was thinking if i decreased the tire size that would help give more power...maybe from 33x12.5x15 to 31's or 235...i will keep the rims though.

I was thinking of trying to sell actually - does anyone know if it would sell better with oversized tires? Or would a stock tire be better for re-sale? I thought the rear window was messed up too, but it turned out the back wiper wasnt in place properly - works fine now.  

I almost bought a Ford Exp and i looked at Jeep Cherokee's too....people always gave the Exploders bad reviews and i never found a Jeep that was in decent order at the time i was looking. So i was told to buy a Toyota as they are more reliable - Just unlucky i guess.

[barrie1]

I would go back to a large stock sized tire for resale as the 33s are just too much for the power your engine creates. I have ran the 31's and found they are pretty tall as well. They will not save you very much on price and I doubt bring in many more possible buyers. A lot of people will think off-road beaten and not be interested in buying.

[mrthompson]

Stock tire size (which is probably the 235's but might also be the 31's, depending on gearing) would be more attractive to most buyers.  

When you say that you will keep the rims, does that mean you will put smaller tires on said rims...or will you be keeping the rims for another vehicle?  

If you have a 15x8 wheel, a 235 is probably too narrow for it.  I'd check with Mort at the Tires/Wheels section of the forum.