Would like to go 65 on the highway

[ropinwillie]

Ok so I had a post earlier wondering about fuel pressure and you all answered so that all checked out good. I'm stumped on why I have so little of power for example if I have a head wind of 5mph I might be able to get to 55mph on the highway and with a tail wind I get 65 just barely and I mpg is a constant 12 but I'm just at a loss I've tried different things but to no avail so can anyone give me some ideas just in case it's not clear I have a 89 ranger 2.9l v6

 

[Ranger850]

Different rear end maybe. Gears are your friend. I'm not sure on the specifics, but if everything thing else is in working order, change your rear end to get a different set of gears

 

[Dirtman]

Maybe its broken?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

My 2.9 will cruise 75 all day.

Does it only do it at higher speeds? You could have a plugged cat.

 

[ropinwillie]

My 2.9 will cruise 75 all day.

Does it only do it at higher speeds? You could have a plugged cat.

I have wondered about that but what's a good way to figure that out

 

[ropinwillie]

I have wondered about that but what's a good way to figure that out

Oh and the truck only has 56k miles

 

[Snoranger]

Swap a 4.0L in it. @PetroleumJunkie412


The 2.9l should be capable of pushing you to/past 65 MPH. Even my 89 2.9l with 35s before I swapped out the 3.73s to 4.56s could do 65. It was struggling to stay there, but it could do it.

 

[Dirtman]

Buy a vacuum gauge. There's about a dozen tests you can do with it, one of which is testing for a clogged exhaust.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

1989 2.9l has 140HP, makes best power/torque at 2,600rpm, you have an A4LD automatic, 4-speed OD

Stock tire size, 28"?
Or 32" big ones, lol?
It matters, alot

So try shifting down to 1st, then run speed up to get to 3,300rpm, high RPMs, that should be about 30MPH

If its starting to "crapping out" over 2,500rpm(20-25MPH) you do have either low fuel pressure or Clogged exhaust

Your best power with this engine will be between 2,300 and 2,900 RPMs, peak is 2,600rpms

If you don't have a tachometer that's not a big deal, engine can REV to 5,000rpms so you won't hurt it by REVing it up high for testing

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Eaisest way to check is take it out for a freeway run at night for a few miles and see if the cat is glowing red.

Something is wrong. A 2.9 will bury the speedo even with an auto.

 

[ropinwillie]

Damn guys I really appreciate the help!!! you all are pretty damn awesome in my book. I'm definitely going to check in to it thanks for the help

 

[19Walt93]

Has it always been this dead or did something change? Are you timing it without unplugging the spout connector? A 2.9 may not be a rocket but you should be able to go way more than 65.

 

[franklin2]

A 2.8 is a lot weaker than a 2.9 and my 84 BII with a 2.8 and 5 speed cruises nicely at 75. It will go higher than that, it will peg the speedo which only goes to 85, but that is nearing the max on level ground.

 

[ropinwillie]

Has it always been this dead or did something change? Are you timing it without unplugging the spout connector? A 2.9 may not be a rocket but you should be able to go way more than 65.

Ok you've lost me now what are talking about when you say unplugging the spout connector?

 

[ropinwillie]

Welcome to TRS

1989 2.9l has 140HP, makes best power/torque at 2,600rpm, you have an A4LD automatic, 4-speed OD

Stock tire size, 28"?
Or 32" big ones, lol?
It matters, alot

So try shifting down to 1st, then run speed up to get to 3,300rpm, high RPMs, that should be about 30MPH

If its starting to "crapping out" over 2,500rpm(20-25MPH) you do have either low fuel pressure or Clogged exhaust

Your best power with this engine will be between 2,300 and 2,900 RPMs, peak is 2,600rpms

If you don't have a tachometer that's not a big deal, engine can REV to 5,000rpms so you won't hurt it by REVing it up high for testing

I have darn near zero response at anything above 2000 rpms so I'm thinking the cat is likely the problem definitely going to look into it this weekend. I really appreciate your help