Hey all, I have a 86 yota ext. cab. currently it is stock. here is the kicker though, it is automatic!!!! Currently we go wheelin with it almost every other weekend, & am teachin my wife how to do trail stuff with it, so the automatic is OK for now. the only real prob. we have, is that is it GUTLESS!!!! what are some easy inexpensive ways to get a little more poop outta it. Where we really run out of power is in 2H & high elevation. there are parts where we have to go to 4L, just because we cannot go anyfarther in 2H, meaning it is floored, wheels not spinning, & not going anywhere.....powering out for the old timers.

in the next couple of years I am going to built either a 4 runner or land cruiser, so I don wanna do an engine swap, just get a liuttle more fun outta this one while saving our duckets for the new project.

Further info....it has no lockers or limited slip, Just passed smog 2 mos ago (actually helped when I put stock exh on it (remember I need low RPM power), & am runnin 31x10.50x15 MT's. Also we have tested & we are coming out of 4H when in the 2H position.

thanks for any & all info

i used to run 4-bangers and 6's the best thang i did to cure the same problems was a jacobs in. or a MSD and mallory and they quit petering out they either was going or they was spinning the wheels

maybe this will help good luck.

Why not try a gear swap.  Lower gears will make a 4-banger seem like a V-8.  Allright maybe not, but you not what I mean.   

You want more umph huh??    First things first,   sell your "toy" and get a real truck.     Any car company that thinks a 4.7 v8 is a big engine needs their head examined.     If you just cant part with your toys they drop a bad ass chevy, ford, or dodge engine in it.    That little hamster of a mill those things have is great for making horsepower, but torque is where your stump pulling umph comes from.   So put away your toy's and get the real thing.  

Wow some of what you say is true.  The 4 banger engine is weak, but hell it is old.  I drive a 2006 Chevy Z71 for my daily driver.  My play vehicles are an 85 toy and a 77 fj40 land cruiser.  The new toyota engines have a huge selection of engine upgrades you can do to them.  Remember the engines are small.  I have seen more toys go through what the big boys thought was too deep.  Of course the driver has ALOT to do with it.  I had rather play with my toys then wrench on some huge truck with a motor that drinks more gas then needed.  Don't get me wrong I love horsepower.  Oh hell I will just come out and say it.  I think you are getting tired of these little trucks showing you up in the mud.   

Actually,   I have never been showed up in the mud by a toyota.    Most guys around here know better than to run a toyota.   when your hung in a mud hole and have to work your way out  I've seen'em blow left and right when you need the power.    Another thing.    you shouldn't have to buy upgrades to have a powerful engine.        

Are you saying that you never bump up the horsepower in your truck.  Now wait I find that just a little hard to believe.  Crap man I don't care what engine you have you are always thinking that you need more and what can I do to get it. 

Try a electric fan that will add a few more horses.

well there's no need to get worked up, i am a chevy and a toyota man (yes its possible)...afterall, it's not like ford and chevy or somethin...haha. but since it's been brought up i'd just like to say that i've owned both and i don't think anyone has much of an arguement on this one! i've had a 22re as well as a 350 chevy and neither one had any power. given that the chevy weighed 3 or 4 times what the toy weighed, but that's just the point. i've seen plenty of 4 bangers outperform my v8...it's all about power-to-weight ratios...frankly, to toyota's advantage, i'd rather get 20 mpg than 9!