Slow acceleration

Hi,
New member from Northern Minnesota. I recently purchased a one owner 2000 Forerunner from New Mexico, it's in excellent condition with 220k. This is the first Toyota I've owned, but couldn't pass it up. My question, is it normal for these to be so doggy? If I'm on the highway going up even slight hills I struggle to maintain 60-65mph. I realize they're not speed demons, but it seems unusually slow. When stepping on the gas on hills it doesn't downshift.

 

^There are two 3rd gens that join trail runs with my local off road club. They struggle to maintain 60 mph on the highway. The V6 made only 190 hp by the SAE rating standards back then (equal to ~185 hp with today's standards), that is less than 4-cyls make today in RAV4s.

Have you checked the ATF condition? 3rd gens are famous for internal radiator leakage that causes the coolant to mix with the ATF, resulting in "strawberry milkshake" fluid that quickly kills the transmission. May explain the hesitation to downshift.

 

What's the temp? Middle of the day in 110 degrees?
Wait for the air to drop. Change the oil, coolant, normal new car owner stuff and welcome to the familly.
PCV valve?

 

Welcome

 

Back in the day, Car and Driver tested a Limited and 0-60 mph was in the 11 second range.

 

welcome

 

Thanks everyone for suggestions and welcome to the forum. It turned out to be slack in the throttle cable, tightened it up and made a world of difference.

 

That would explain the transmission not downshifting as the TV cable was misadjusted as well.