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Loss of power on incline driving mountain freeway

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Kahuna, Jul 16, 2017.

  1. Jul 16, 2017 at 5:27 AM
    #1
    Kahuna

    Kahuna [OP] New Member

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    Heading west, 4 people in the 4Runner, Golden, CO to Keystone, CO on I70 it struggled on the incline. I never had issue with my 07 FJ.

    Anyone else experience this issue and is there any adjustment, mode, etc. to improve the sluggishness on incline? Thanks.
     
    Palerider likes this.
  2. Jul 16, 2017 at 7:14 AM
    #2
    Palerider

    Palerider New Member

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    Installed Rago brackets and 4" cube ditch lights. Weather tech mats. Cargo net. Cargo mat. Ordered Gobi rack with ladder.
    Last December during a ski trip on the exact same road this happened to me. Weight, Elevation, and the incline have a lot to do with this. It's still built like a tank just not meant to speed up a mountain. Made going down more fun. Lol.
     
    Kahuna[QUOTED][OP] and 114616288 like this.
  3. Jul 16, 2017 at 8:27 PM
    #3
    114616288

    114616288 New Member

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    You can always go into S mode and control your gearing.
     
    alittleoff, jester243 and Palerider like this.
  4. Jul 16, 2017 at 9:03 PM
    #4
    DrewMan

    DrewMan 2016 4RTP-KDSS

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    Drove to North Myrtle Beach from Nashville up and over Monteagle Mountain loaded down with Thule Cargo Basket & Tavel Bag, food & Misc Cargo in rear and (5) Adults … no problems with my 2016 T4R-TP
     
  5. Jul 17, 2017 at 8:56 AM
    #5
    TedRCASC

    TedRCASC New Member

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    :canada:We drive the highways through the coastal ranges in British Columbia but have never had any trouble with the many steep slopes. There are only 2 of us aboard but the SRT Trail is heavy with off road gear, loaded refrigerator, food (and booze) supplies, presents for family, etc. It is definitely the best 4x4 of the 10 I've owned since 1964! - Ted
     
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  6. Jul 17, 2017 at 9:01 AM
    #6
    brochacho

    brochacho New Member

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    I'm thinking the elevation and weight was the biggest contributing factor. I tow at 2000# trailer loaded with 3 kids, 2 adults, and a 200# English Mastiff through the cascade mountains without much issue. In the mountains I keep it in S4 the entire time. Though the highest elevation we get to is only about 4500'. Nothing like Colorado mountains.
     
  7. Jul 17, 2017 at 3:21 PM
    #7
    Kahuna

    Kahuna [OP] New Member

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    Yeah, my thought was elevation too, I was at about 7500 feet on the incline. Still love my 4Runner but it's sluggish in acceleration and elevation compared to my old FJ. Just say'n.
     
  8. Jul 19, 2017 at 8:29 PM
    #8
    adamrice868

    adamrice868 New Member

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    They are pigs at elevation with anything more than the driver in them.

    My 16' Trail is about to find a for sale sign on it for this reason alone.

    That bringing said 16' Trail premium, white for sale.... 12k miles. Bought last June from boulder toyota, I'm in Denver.
     
  9. Jul 21, 2017 at 5:39 AM
    #9
    billnourse

    billnourse New Member

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    Just out of curiosity, what are you going to replace it with? I just got rid of a 2008 Rubicon for a 2017 Off Road. This 4 Runner has much more power than the Rubicon even though the Rubicon has a Banks chip, exhaust and intake. Is there something out there that has the power and still has the off road capability of the Jeep or 4 Runner?? A friend has a 2014 Rubicon, and it doesn't have any more power than the 4 Runner.
     
    4Paw likes this.
  10. Jul 21, 2017 at 11:59 AM
    #10
    Rebelchurch

    Rebelchurch New Member

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    Every vehicle will suffer horsepower loss at elevation and feel sluggish. Turbo cars suffer less but its basic physics of less usable air at altitude. Weight, towing, will also impact level of sluggishness. Happy motoring! :)
     
    Kahuna[OP], Palerider and 114616288 like this.
  11. Jul 23, 2017 at 6:22 AM
    #11
    adamrice868

    adamrice868 New Member

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    I'm thinking of going f150 crew cab. My need for off raiding consists of gravel mountain passes and the occasional dirt road. With a 2 or 3 time of year trip to Moab. A 4wheel drive pickup with be fine.
     
  12. Jul 24, 2017 at 10:43 PM
    #12
    Colorado 4runner

    Colorado 4runner New Member

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    I don't want to hear it I remember my '67 bug having to rap it out in 3rd gear to hold 45mph ;)
     
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  13. Jul 25, 2017 at 11:59 PM
    #13
    larramo

    larramo 3ed gen faithfully

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    3" lift but mostly all stock not a scratch on it it is pristine condition amazing for being 19 years old.
    there are aftermarket onboard computer setting devices you can buy that you can tune the car as you drive to compensate for lack of air at such high altitude.i personally have not seen one but a friend told me about it. i know that diesel engine have them i'm sure that they have them for gas engine too. LARRY B
     
  14. Sep 9, 2017 at 5:04 PM
    #14
    6172crew

    6172crew New Member

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    I live at 7000ft, the new cars compensate for air or lack there of. The system is built to get the most out of the fuel and air by adjusting timing, fuel and much more. That's said; I wonder how fast it can do this, say your incline is 500ft per minute, can it keep up?
    I own a RS6 twin turbo, a older 93 4Runner and a few other bikes and cars. We don't use premium fuel in the Audi because it kicks codes for being too rich. The older 4Runner has the timing kicked up to max and still doesn't ping, but runs 10 times better now that it's been adjusted.
    I drove to TX last weekend and noticed no difference in the way my older tacoma ran in TX (sea level) and the ran it runs now that I'm back home. I think you might have an issue if you feel that it doesn't run normal when you get home. Is the Air filter clean? Did you suck up some crap in the fuel pump on a low tank of fuel?
     
  15. Sep 11, 2017 at 9:58 AM
    #15
    Rebelchurch

    Rebelchurch New Member

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    My new 2017 4runner trdor got its first taste of 10000 feet. It suffers a little bit in hp but its worlds above how the 2016 tacoma trdor 6spd auto drove up the mountain passes. Pleasantly surprised at how the new 4runner drives up here. Glad i traded the taco.
     
  16. Sep 15, 2017 at 7:26 PM
    #16
    WTW15

    WTW15 New Member

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    I live at 9,000' and tow my bike trailer up I70. Don't be afraid to down shift and wind it up. The Toy redlines at almost 6000rpm - use it. Done over 70 up from Silverthorne to the tunnel with the trailer and 2 bikes. It goes up just fine.
     
    Kahuna[OP] likes this.
  17. Sep 16, 2017 at 10:05 AM
    #17
    topdec

    topdec New Member

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    I found that driving the T4R uphill needs more attention and work from my right foot.

    Before the road starts to incline, going a little over (maybe 5-10mph), and then continuing to add just enough gas until the road flattens out again, helped keep the speed and limit abrupt downshifts. My analogy is like adding pressure smoothly to a syringe.
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2017
    Kahuna[OP] likes this.

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