2.9l rpm problem

[86ranger4x4owner]

I have a 2.9 auto and today i was going up a big hill so i shifted it into 4th and had the pedal to the floor and the rpms wouldnt go higher than 3000 is that normal?And when its in od it changes gears at 3000 but the tach says 8000 i was thinking it would aleast make it to 5000 before changing when laying on the gas.Any help?

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

if you floor a 2.9 in overdrive or drive shouldnt the rpms go over 3000?

 

[Strieg]

Ok well #1, you only have 4 gears in a a4ld to begin with, that's your overdrive. Drive is third. Anyways, you said when the gear selector is in overdrive, and you floor it, the truck shifts at 3000rpm, but your tachometer gos all the way up to 8000 and your wondering why the rpms don't climb higher before shifting. Here comes point #2...
2.9s just don't have the power. They are not race engines. It's just not a high revving engine. Yes the tach says 8000 but it doesn't say your engine can make it that high. Maybe brand new it might have, but it's prolly a tired old engine now, with lots of miles.

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

Ok well #1, you only have 4 gears in a a4ld to begin with, that's your overdrive. Drive is third. Anyways, you said when the gear selector is in overdrive, and you floor it, the truck shifts at 3000rpm, but your tachometer gos all the way up to 8000 and your wondering why the rpms don't climb higher before shifting. Here comes point #2...
2.9s just don't have the power. They are not race engines. It's just not a high revving engine. Yes the tach says 8000 but it doesn't say your engine can make it that high. Maybe brand new it might have, but it's prolly a tired old engine now, with lots of miles.

Well i found out that if i go into first or second i can get the rpms to go over 3000 i havent tryed to in drive or od yet but i had it up to like 4200 in second gear theni shifted it

 

[Strieg]

CHECK YOUR TRANSMISSION! mine did that a couple weeks ago, then blew the front seal. Your fluid might be low, or it might need to be changed. I actually just finished mine today, put it all back together and it's drivable.

 

[jhammel85]

You're fine. Mine does this all the time.

It's going over 3k in the 1st / 2nd because 3rd or 4th is a much taller gear. The 2.9 isn't a power house so it's completely normal for it not to do anything over 3k on a big hill. Mine has done this since day one.

But..I will say, check out the throttle cable and make sure you are getting everything out of that 2.9. I just found last week that my throttle body was only opening about 2/3 when I had the pedal to the ground.

 

[cavibird2005]

I have a FM132 and I'd say the vast majority of the power in my 2.9 has is in between 2700 and 3800. But the power dose die out over 3800 and is VERY noticeable. I know when I have the hammer down the quickest way to 60MPH is to shift @ 3500 and Dump it at 2500

So I'm not to surprised the Auto would shift at 3k to try and keep you in the power band.

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

so i guess i should have pull it back in second going up this steep hill i was only doing about 35 so i should have pulled her back and left everyone.haha.the engine has been rebuilt and has been mildly built.but what is the most and best way to get more horsepower out of the 2.9? different heads?

 

[cavibird2005]

so i guess i should have pull it back in second going up this steep hill i was only doing about 35 so i should have pulled her back and left everyone.haha.the engine has been rebuilt and has been mildly built.but what is the most and best way to get more horsepower out of the 2.9? different heads?

The best way to get power out of ANY ENGINE, is N2O.

Although I imagine you'd like to see ur engine last a while soo...

If your going to tow stuff w/ a ranger. And want to do it in a 1st Gen Ranger.
Your best bet is to swap out your 2.9 for a 4.0 or 5.0

Your Choice.

Otherwise you could deal w/ what u have...Or you could buy a F150. I suggest 4.9/5speed. The 5.0 just doesn't have enough over the 4.9 to put up w/ the much worse mileage. And w/ a 5speed I hate to admit it (as I still have a 97 1500 350 Vortec ) But my bro's 96 F150 4.9 5spd does everything my chevy can.....Better And gives my dad's 06 Titan a run for its money in the towing Dept.

On a related topic...
My 1500 is for sale, anyone interested????