2.3L ('83-'97) 96 2.3l lacks power at altitude

[Flounder]

I know this might sound normal but it seems a bit extreme. When traveling no load over a mountain pass from see level to 6,600' average grade 4.5% I need to keep it in 4th gear floored just to maintain 60mph. Truck is stock, otherwise excellent mechanical condition showing no codes with 96k original miles. My 93 with same set up seemed more powerful but I never drove it on this particular road for comparison. This might be all I can expect from the little hamsters under the hood but here is my question. Is there a component in the fuel injection system that would lean out the mixture at altitude? If so is there a test procedure? Thanks for any help

 

[racsan]

Did both of those 2.3 trucks have the same tire size and gear ratio? too steep of a gear or bigger tires can really make a difference. my ‘88 supercab had 3.73’s with 14” tires, It did fine on level ground or with a trailer less than 1500 pounds. The ‘94 I have now had a 3.45 rear end originally but I swapped it out for a 4.10 and its made all the difference in the world. Theres still only 100-ish hp under the hood but it will now tow a trailer and doesnt do too bad on upgrades. I dont know much about altitudes or any adjustments that could be made.

 

[Flounder]

Did both of those 2.3 trucks have the same tire size and gear ratio? too steep of a gear or bigger tires can really make a difference. my ‘88 supercab had 3.73’s with 14” tires, It did fine on level ground or with a trailer less than 1500 pounds. The ‘94 I have now had a 3.45 rear end originally but I swapped it out for a 4.10 and its made all the difference in the world. Theres still only 100-ish hp under the hood but it will now tow a trailer and doesnt do too bad on upgrades. I dont know much about altitudes or any adjustments that could be made.

Everything bone stock with 14" wheels on both.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Ford in their infinite wisdom put random setups on 4 cylinder Rangers... my '90 originally came with like 24" tires and 3.08 gears, the '97 probably came with 27" tires (don't know, didn't get the original drivers door... that's the size that was on it when I got it) and 4.10 gears...

But WOT 4th gear is a bit extreme... I think you lose like 3% power per 1000ft or something like that...

Has it ever had a timing belt put on it? If not, it's likely time, that couldn't help...

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head...

 

[Flounder]

Ford in their infinite wisdom put random setups on 4 cylinder Rangers... my '90 originally came with like 24" tires and 3.08 gears, the '97 probably came with 27" tires (don't know, didn't get the original drivers door... that's the size that was on it when I got it) and 4.10 gears...

But WOT 4th gear is a bit extreme... I think you lose like 3% power per 1000ft or something like that...

Has it ever had a timing belt put on it? If not, it's likely time, that couldn't help...

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head...

Will be doing the "t" belt soon any way but I'm not sure that would cause it. My 93 2.3l had this rattle noise on acceleration, realized it was the timing belt slapping around inside the cover. Even being that loose it ran great.