Lacking power or normal?

02 SR5 4.7 250k Bone stock.

Owned since 198k
Truck has always felt a little off in the way it shifts. Like its up shifting to early. It struggles to tow because its always trying to be in to high a gear.
Another problem it has is while in drive at idle, it pulls pretty hard against the brakes, like its stall converter is to low. Most trucks require very little brake input to hold still while in drive. Mine you have to keep more pressure than what i feel is neccessary to keep it from moving. It will do about 10mph without any throttle input.

Also, from a stand still, foot to the floor, it has zero balls. Its engine doesn't stumble, sputter or fall on its face and the trans isnt slipping. The truck accelerates in step with the rpms, it just has no get up and go so to speak. Doesnt even come close to breaking the tires loose.

Is there some kind of traction control that im not aware of? There are no buttons for it, maybe its built into the system and not able to be turned off? Maybe its starting off in 2nd gear or the TQC is locked up?


The truck works fine otherwise and i drive it everyday. Its just something thats bothered me and i dont know what to think.

 

Sounds like a white truck to me.

Whats the maintenance history like? How long have you owned the truck?

 

Sounds like Black Death.

Turn the Overdrive OFF while towing.

What size tires?

Clean the MAF & Throttle body.
Drain & fill the ATF.

 

Are you sure it’s not a 3.4?

 

A few tests:

1) With O/D off, count how many shifts the truck makes. Should be 1-2-3 into acceleration at speed. Then hit O/D on and that will be 4th gear.

2) Check your transmission fluid level. Should be checked at operating temp while engine running. Fluid line should hit the top line of ‘HOT’. These a340F Transmissions are sensitive to fluid level and oldness of fluid. Use DEX/Merc from Wally Wurrld ($13 gallon).

3) Check your PCV Valve, Vacuum Hoses, and clean your Throttle Body.

4) Check your spark plugs for tightness. They tend to become loose over time resulting in compression loss.

 

Its gold/sand colored actually.

Owned for about 2 years now. Truck has 250k now. Bought with 198k from original owners. Middle aged couple, average maintenance. Didnt seem the type to abuse vehicles.

Black death? First ive heard of it.
Overdrive is definitely off when towing. Just towed a compact car on a car hauler (5klbs total?) from south FL to SC and then to TN no problems.

Tires are stock size Michelin highway spec.

Will check on MAF and TB.

Nope. 4.7 guaranteed

Will check.

Replaced radiator just yesterday and going by your recommendation trans fluid is definitely low.

Replaced plugs too just a month or so ago. NGK made in J.A.pan.

I did another test run with truck held in "low". Foot to the floor same thing, no ass. Quite sluggish for the first 3000-4000rpms.

Now this was done on a dry coarsely paved millings road and my truck does have a LSD with good highway tread tires. But still, for a rearwheel drive V8 truck with nothing in the bed i would think it would roast the tires off the line. Its like theres no torque down low.

Thanks for the input fellas.

 

+1 on the MAF sensor.

I assume you have a new-ish/clean air filter?

What are your RPMs when at idle and you experience the need to apply excessive braking?

 

if you don't know the last time it was done I'd drain and fill trans fluid regardless. Not positive on your year (my 05 is sealed trans) but in my previous automatic toys, there was a drain plug on the bottom of the pan and you could refill easily with a long skinny funnel through the dipstick. Just be sure of how much you need to add. If the fluid smells burnt then you are due for a change. Trans fluid often gets overlooked. Check your owners manual for which type of fluid, some older toyota's use dex3/merc but newer uses Toyota WS or T4 fluid (my 05 5spd uses WS). I would recommend the toyota OEM fluid in this application.

 

Good reccos. The 2002 loves Valvoline DEX/Merc in the a340F transmission. Its cheap ($14 gallon) and readily available at Wallace Wurrld. Meets all DEXIII requirements!

 

I've now cleaned three different throttle bodies and it still amazes me at what difference it makes

 

Smooovvvv!