Trouble on the steeps

[stitch]

So I have an 85 4 runner now (paid for with the insurance money from my totaled 88 4runner) It was some ones project that they lost interest in. I took it to moab over the weekend and it did grat on most of the obsticals that I took it over but when it came to steep climbs it would'nt have enough guts to spin my wheels and keep momentum then it would die then my butthole would pucker and I would be going down hill alot faster and in less control then I was comfortable with. My engine has 210k on it and I run 33's I intend on changing to 5.29's and aussie lockers front and rear. When I rebuild my engine would I be better off just going up to the next size piston and keeping it basicaly stock with the addition of a cam and header or is there a way to get a little more h/p out of the engine without jeopardizing the reliability of the engine for example could I go .020 or.030 over and still be ok I have heard of over heating problems when you go more than .020 over on the 22re's Thanks in advance for the input.

[bbagwell]

Get 4.7 t-case gears, or install dual cases. It will make the truck climb so much better then ever before.

[fourwd1]

You can go up to .040 over on the 22R series blocks. If there's a cooling problem just upgrade to a turbo or V6 radiator.
You can get a mild cam and/or a higher performance head too.
engnbldr.com is a good source for those.
Then add a header.

[22REkid]

So I have an 85 4 runner now (paid for with the insurance money from my totaled 88 4runner) It was some ones project that they lost interest in. I took it to moab over the weekend and it did grat on most of the obsticals that I took it over but when it came to steep climbs it would'nt have enough guts to spin my wheels and keep momentum then it would die then my butthole would pucker and I would be going down hill alot faster and in less control then I was comfortable with. My engine has 210k on it and I run 33's I intend on changing to 5.29's and aussie lockers front and rear. When I rebuild my engine would I be better off just going up to the next size piston and keeping it basicaly stock with the addition of a cam and header or is there a way to get a little more h/p out of the engine without jeopardizing the reliability of the engine for example could I go .020 or.030 over and still be ok I have heard of over heating problems when you go more than .020 over on the 22re's Thanks in advance for the input.

First off, it isn't carburated is it? If it is that would explain the problem you are experencing. As far as going up to a bigger piston for horsepower gains, it is not very effective. 20 and 30 thousands of an inch is not very much at all, and if you expect more power from such a small size increase than you have it all wrong (nothing against you). The stock bore size is 92mm and .080 over only equals 94mm. So you can see how .020 and .030 over pistons would be a minimal size increase. Basicly not even noticeable. I would never bore a 22R block anymore than .040 over for the obvious cooling reasons and just because IMO it is unnecessary. You CAN bore a 22R block .080 over but it is basicly pointless unless you are building a stroker motor (like Bodo). It will be 10x better with 5.29s. That's where I would start.

[stitch]

First off, it isn't carburated is it? If it is that would explain the problem you are experencing. As far as going up to a bigger piston for horsepower gains, it is not very effective. 20 and 30 thousands of an inch is not very much at all, and if you expect more power from such a small size increase than you have it all wrong (nothing against you). The stock bore size is 92mm and .080 over only equals 94mm. So you can see how .020 and .030 over pistons would be a minimal size increase. Basicly not even noticeable. I would never bore a 22R block anymore than .040 over for the obvious cooling reasons and just because IMO it is unnecessary. You CAN bore a 22R block .080 over but it is basicly pointless unless you are building a stroker motor (like Bodo). It will be 10x better with 5.29s. That's where I would start.

No it is not carburated it is fuel injected. I dont need or want alot more h/p just want to be able to have enough to get me over what ever is in my way.

[bbagwell]

Get the transfer case gears. They will help you climb slowly up and over things. More engine power just means you have to get on the gas.

[bbagwell]

Get 4.7 t-case gears, or install dual cases. It will make the truck climb so much better then ever before.

It will make the most difference off road.

[bodo]

Gears/cases first then start dicking with the motor.

One performance mod you rarely see mentioned is a heavier flywheel which really works well for lowend torque.

[bbagwell]

I put 4.7 gears in mine, I think it was the best mod I have made so far. It made wheeling so much more enjoyable. No more slipping the clutch, or trying to race up stuff. I know eventually I will want dual cases to go even lower.