Lack of power at high elevation while climbing steep sections.. (23 Gladiator)

[RawkHound]

Hey all,

Last year I took my Jeep Gladiator with stock motor and drivetrain. I have a 4" lift with 35" tires and upgraded suspension but no lockers or other products. I was at about 14K feet and climbing a steep incline in 4H, I had to floor the pedal and the truck would only accelerate up to about 1-2 MPH. Is this a fuel or air issue or am I missing something that will give more power in this situation? Would being in 4L make any difference?

Thanks ahead of time,

G-

Sponsored

 

[JT1]

Hey all,

Last year I took my Jeep Gladiator with stock motor and drivetrain. I have a 4" lift with 35" tires and upgraded suspension but no lockers or other products. I was at about 14K feet and climbing a steep incline in 4H, I had to floor the pedal and the truck would only accelerate up to about 1-2 MPH. Is this a fuel or air issue or am I missing something that will give more power in this situation? Would being in 4L make any difference?

Thanks ahead of time,

G-

4L absolutely. It would have idled up it.

 

[DylanM]

Technically in this case it is an air issue, a lack of air density due to the altitude. For your situation using 4L would absolutely have been the best choice and made a big difference.

 

[WK2JT]

Assuming it’s an automatic, did you have it in D or were you using the manual shift mode? I always have to use manual shifting. Otherwise it wants to shift way too early and lug, even in 4L

 

[DaddyWags]

4L should have absolutely been used in that situation. Also, the 3.6 V6 is naturally aspirated. You're going to see some power loss at that altitude. The only way to compensate for that is if your vehicle had a turbocharger or supercharger.

 

[Zachanadandy]

14k feet causes a 42% power loss due to lack of oxygen at that elevation. 4LO would help, but you'll still be down on power in a major way.

 

[Not2Late]

Hey all,

Last year I took my Jeep Gladiator with stock motor and drivetrain. I have a 4" lift with 35" tires and upgraded suspension but no lockers or other products. I was at about 14K feet and climbing a steep incline in 4H, I had to floor the pedal and the truck would only accelerate up to about 1-2 MPH. Is this a fuel or air issue or am I missing something that will give more power in this situation? Would being in 4L make any difference?

Thanks ahead of time,

G-

The 4-lo advice is spot on. I am assuming you don't have a rubicon with the 4:1 transfer case. This makes what I am about to suggest even more doable. I have the 2.7:1 case which gives me a lot more flexibility and usefulness (unless hardcore crawling). Whenever I am at altitude, I routinely shift my Mojave into 4-lo on trails. I can go decently fast with this transfer case. And have never felt like I was short on power due to the gear/force mutiplication of the transfer case. 4-hi doesn't give you the increased "twist". You only get that in low.

 

[Trailman]

I live in Clear Creek County, and am routinely at 12-13,500. Driving at 14k is pretty rare other than Mt Blue Sky (Evans) and Pikes Peak. I drive to Blue Sky in 2wd with no issues, at 14k.

But, yes, 4LO will pretty much take care of any issues.

 

[ZeeJay]

14K equals 12 HP to the wheels, it’s voo doo magic and gear reduction from there

 

[Minty JL]

I just got back from the "mountains" here in MD..........need more gears since I can't tune it.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

14K equals 12 HP to the wheels, it’s voo doo magic and gear reduction from there

How do you figure?
HP Loss At Altitude Calculator - Calculator Academy

 

[ZeeJay]

How do you figure?
HP Loss At Altitude Calculator - Calculator Academy

I used the mathematical formula called sarcasm, calm down

 

[Artsifrtsi]

I used the mathematical formula called sarcasm, calm down

Too use to the idiots that spew dumb shit... LOL

 

[ZeeJay]

Too use to the idiots that spew dumb shit... LOL

No way man….everything on the interwebs is true, I read that on Facebook.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

Gotta get out and push unfortunately…..




Jk. Try 4Lo next time

Sponsored