So I just got my project truck back from doing a number of things to it. Head job, o2 sensors, new(used) throttle body, a/t speed sensors, fuel filter/pcv, sparks/wires, injector service, and more.

Having never driven a 3.0 prior to buying this one (it was dead when i bought it), I guess i'm a bit surprised at it's sluggy acceleration, but I've read EVERYWHERE, that this is the "3.slow", etc. To top it off, its A/T, which I've also read here makes it even "slower"....

I guess my question is, HOW slow is expected? Seems like it really takes a while for it to get to 60 mph. Just wondering if there's maybe something my mechanic or I missed or didn't clean, etc?

my 89 4runer v6 5spd does 0-60 in about 10 seconds... an auto should be around 11 or 12.. maybe 13 in a second gen 4runner auto with 31's...

ive never really driven a 3.0 but ive heard the same thing about them being sluggish. the weird thing is a friend of mine has a 3.slow in his runner with 37's and it hauled ass with 4.10's <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Is that completely FLOORING it, or just a normal mid-way pedal push?

Well, mine is 4x4 and has stock size 31's, and i'm assuming the stock gear ratio.

Yes, it's slow. I have 5 vehicles and it by far is the slowest. My wife's V6 Camry hauls a$$ but it's a 2000. I also have a 2001 Camaro SS and when I get in the truck after drive that I feel like I'm walking.....I too have 31's with stock gearing.....I didn't buy the truck for it's speed, I bought it (new, 15 years ago) for it's reliability and go anywhere appeal. Except for the HG problem(2 so far), it's best vehicle I've ever had.

Well, i'm just glad to know that i'm not alone.

I think that is what the original Motor Trend Technical Data said:
0 to 60 = awhile
Braking from 70mph = 175feet plus the squash factor of the car in front of you
Power to Weight Ratio:
150hp, 4000lbs do the math <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

If the rig came stock w/31's it would have 4.87 gears, and the door code would be G14, and the 4.56 gears would be G25, or possiblyG28 for 4.30 gears depending on the truck or 4-Runner. My 5sp 3.0 X-cab was never that slow compared to my 2wd 22r, and from what I remember wasn't as slow as my sisters '95 auto Runner.

If you don't have factory 4.87 gears for the 31's intalling them will bring the truck back to factory tire to gear ratio, however I would recommend installing the the 5.29 gear set. The 5.29's gears should work better for the 4-spd tranny, if it is geared a little to high you could install a set of 32" tires.

When the 3.0 engine was introduced it wasn't slow at all compared to its domestic counterparts that gad a v-6 engine, and was likely de-tuned for the truck since the camry engine from the same era had a much higher hp output. Also when the engine was introduced in '88-89, consumers weren't after fast trucks, not even full sized v-8 rigs were being sold as performance vehicles.

There are mods you can do to helpo it perform better, but they are not cheap. I would open up intake, and rework the exhaust(under $500) Other upgrades include the ignition and geaders(looking at about $1500), though regearing would be your best bang for the buck.

When my 4runner was brand spanking new it could do 0-60 in about 13 seconds. Now that it's old and has gained weight, I'm thinking it's around 20 seconds.