1989 Low Horse power or something

[newnthused]

I can be flooring my Ranger on the freeway in OD and if I'm going even slightly uphill it takes a while for the speed to really get over the 65mph range. The truck has a few inches lift and 200k+ miles on it but the engine has good compression. Rpm is high in idle maybe due to vacuum leak. Gonna replace u joints today but idk if that's the cause for low torque.

Any supposed causes?

 

[JoshT]

I can think of 2.9 reasons why it might be low. Probably about 4.56 ways to fix it.

That is to say, contrary to some member's beliefs that engine is not a powerhouse. I would assume that there were larget tires to go along with that lift, if so it will have an effect on performance. I know that a lot of people will change to larger 4.56 gears with larger tires to get the engine back into its power band, depending on what you have now even swapping in a stock 4.11 axle might be an improvement.

Has it gotten worse over time? An abrupt change from better performance? What has changed in that time period?

Low torque is not a symptom of a u-joint. Zero torque is, when it is broken. Clanking and banging is, when it is loose and on the way to becoming broken.

Even if you find a problem and fix it, I wouldn't count on much uphill acelleration with that combination. Plan ahead and acellerate prior to the hill, then try to maintain speeds moving up the hill.

 

[Cees Klumper]

Silly question perhaps, but is your kickdown working? Because you mention driving in OD. If your kickdown doesn't work, that would do it. My '90 BII has 240K miles and has plenty of power all the way up to and over 85 mph.

 

[newnthused]

I can think of 2.9 reasons why it might be low. Probably about 4.56 ways to fix it.

That is to say, contrary to some member's beliefs that engine is not a powerhouse. I would assume that there were larget tires to go along with that lift, if so it will have an effect on performance. I know that a lot of people will change to larger 4.56 gears with larger tires to get the engine back into its power band, depending on what you have now even swapping in a stock 4.11 axle might be an improvement.

Has it gotten worse over time? An abrupt change from better performance? What has changed in that time period?

Low torque is not a symptom of a u-joint. Zero torque is, when it is broken. Clanking and banging is, when it is loose and on the way to becoming broken.

Even if you find a problem and fix it, I wouldn't count on much uphill acelleration with that combination. Plan ahead and acellerate prior to the hill, then try to maintain speeds moving up the hill.

I've only had it a few months, but I do feel there was a sudden change in torque. It was able to rev up quickly before. But not I have my pedal to the floor.

 

[newnthused]

Silly question perhaps, but is your kickdown working? Because you mention driving in OD. If your kickdown doesn't work, that would do it. My '90 BII has 240K miles and has plenty of power all the way up to and over 85 mph.

I'm not sure what a kickdown is, but is it a thing in a manual transmission?

 

[JoshT]

I'm not sure what a kickdown is, but is it a thing in a manual transmission?

no

I've only had it a few months, but I do feel there was a sudden change in torque. It was able to rev up quickly before. But not I have my pedal to the floor.

Have you checked your filters. Fuel and air.

 

[newnthused]

no



Have you checked your filters. Fuel and air.

I replaced my cabin air filter a couple months ago. Idk how to check the fuel filter though.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Sounds like classic clogged cat symptoms

 

[newnthused]

Sounds like classic clogged cat symptoms

Catalytic converter?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Catalytic converter?

Yessir.

There is a way to test for it with a vacuum gauge...i cant remember how though. A quick google should tell ya.