Donner summit and the 1FZ

[FJW1495]

Anyone been up donner summit and notice the 1FZ really huffin' and puffin' to make it up the grade. I was in 3rd (O/D off) doing 3000 rpm with my foot in it and was getting passed by big rigs! I know these trucks aren't fast but thats was only at 7000 ft. do you guys in Colorado experience this much power loss? Would also like to hear from 3fe owners.
(all stock 97 lx450. 168000 miles)

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

As far as the 3FE on mountain passes, 20 to 25 MPH is about tops in 1st gear with the transfer case in High on our 92 with 33's and stock gearing. We find it much easier on the throttle and on the motor to shift the transfer case into Low before a climb and to stop at the top to shift back into High for the downhill. This usually gets us up to 25 to 30 mph. We have also performed the 7 pin mod to disengage the CDL when we are climbing in Low.

Enjoy the scenery and the sound that the 155HP 3FE produces.

 

[Booger weldz]

?? Ive got 37s and 4.10s and do 70 the whole way up/down 50/80 w the air conditioner on??

 

[matttaylor1976]

Soooo true, my 3fe fights on even moderate hills, i can hold about 50 on most of the hills around here, but that is in 2nd and pushing 3700rpm's. I've given up trying to move fast, it just isn't going to happen. i literally blew my cat out the first time i climbed a steep hill on my way home from a wheeling trip. It was about a 2 mile grade, and i was trying to keep up with traffic pushing 4000rpm's, i made it, but the results weren't worth it. I'm running 285's on stock gears for what its worth.

 

[CycloSteve]

Stock rig and tires should not have an issue going up 80 / Donner Pass.

We need a bit more information. Passed as in you were going 60, and the big rigs were going 65? Or they were going 50, and you were going 35? Foot to the floor to keep 3000 rpm, or still some pedal left? When was the last time the plugs/wires/cap/rotor tune done? Tire pressure? A/C on or off? Compression ever checked? Any codes coming from the OBDII? What grade gas? How much crap and how many people piled inside?

For most stock rigs dropping out of OD and giving it some of the skinny pedal is enough to keep the truck at 60 to 65 over Donner in either direction.

Not a helpful answer, but my 80 with gears and a S/C has pulled the grade packed to the hilt, and with a trailer behind with no issues whatsoever.

 

[OGBeno]

Never had an issue on 80 either way in my 80 wih 35's and 4.11's and 35's and 5.29's.

That's said, I blasted the s*** out of my tranny shifting often between 2nd and OD. Gunning it on downhills before the uphills and downshifting hard between 3rd and 2nd often.

I was in a 2WD mode both times.

 

[dougfj62]

Went up today. No issues with the SC and stock gears except the amount of fuel consumed.

 

[vladi80]

I go up Donner a few times a year and never had an issue keeping 55-60 with 35's.

 

[maxamillion2345]

Lol speed limit for trailers is 55. Bummer.

 

[FnLexus]

Time for a SC.

 

[RAYJON]

something is a miss, do a baseline, fuel filter, compression, exhaust/ cat plugged... go over donner all the time and a 1fz has no problem with 60mph it may downshift but will hold speed...

 

[OLD DAWG]

We live at 7100' and don't notice a problem. Pretty much if we want to go East or South involves passes of 10500 or better with no real problems. Running 315s with 4:88s I agree with RAYJON sounds like a fuel or cat prob

 

[surfpig]

I go up Donner a few times a year and never had an issue keeping 55-60 with 35's.

THIS