Power loss at steep inclines.

[Evil-Jeep]

So I was out last weekend and once again I noticed while climbing a steep embankment that my jeep looses its power and stalls.

It is an 03 TJ w/4.0, manuel T, running E3 plugs and I keep her tuned up, so I am 99% sure it is a fuel isue.
The incline was steep enough for my rear bumper to "touch" the ground going up, somewher in the 55% - 75% slope.

It only happens when I creep up to the slope and try climbing at a low RPM, it starts off just fine but near the top the RPM's drop even with the pedle right to the floor, it does not flood out though. I am not digging in or spinning tires it seems to be just starved for fuel.

So here is my question(s):
has any one else encoutered this with a TJ or the 4.0?
If it is fuel delivery related, can I check my fuel pressure lvl at the valve on the rail? how(is it just a simple as putting on a tire pressure gauge and taking a reading, what should my pressure be at?
I have read up on the fuel filter as it was my first suspect, and came to find out it is a one piece pump/filter unit that sits in the tank, apparently jeep says they should be good for the life of the vehicle. I find this hard to believe what have your experiences been?
Lastly my injectors, I have heard that I can swap for larger injectors from a mustang!!!, will I loose alot of Mpg, and will I need to upgrade my fuel pump? if so can use an external pump added to the system while keeping the original unit in the tank and operational (I am thinking of putting a toggle switch on it so that I can simply flip a switch and have some added fuel pressure when needed)


Thanks

[JackstandJohnny]

what gear are you in?

[BlackYJ]

The fuel filter should be replaced about every 1-2 years depending on mileage.  Also fancy spark plugs do not perform great in the old 4.0L.  The good ol' factory recommended plugs work very good. 

[Evil-Jeep]

Sorry.... 1st gear.

also 31's and 2inch BB.

I have not had any other issues like this on flat ground or in deep sticky mud, only on steep inclines. If I am "not behaving myself like a responsable adult" and hit the same incline with a "bit" more speed there is no power loss. I already wrecked one car when I was younger by catching, a "bit" of air and am looking to avoid doing the same again.

[JackstandJohnny]

just making sure you weren't in 4th gear or something lol  it really just sounds like you are bogging down powerwise but i'd be skeptical of that in 1st gear (specially with 31s)

scotts right, i've put fancy plugs in an old ZJ. ran bad actually. put factory spec ones back in, ran good again. weird.........

you said its steep incline. you weren't like, 3/4 empty on gas and it stalled out cause of that was it?

[Evil-Jeep]

just making sure you weren't in 4th gear or something lol  it really just sounds like you are bogging down powerwise but i'd be skeptical of that in 1st gear (specially with 31s)

scotts right, i've put fancy plugs in an old ZJ. ran bad actually. put factory spec ones back in, ran good again. weird.........

you said its steep incline. you weren't like, 3/4 empty on gas and it stalled out cause of that was it?

I haven't fully ruled out driver error, but it does feel like a power issue..... the weird part is I can still hall @#$ on a flat surface from dead stop in first or second, I have no issues in deep mud or water, I only ever encounter this while crawling at an incline........ may look into trying a new set of plugs, and the tank was more than 3/4 full during the last incident, and am very sure it was more than 1/2 anyothertime it has occured.

[BlackYJ]

I haven't fully ruled out driver error, but it does feel like a power issue..... the weird part is I can still hall @#$ on a flat surface from dead stop in first or second, I have no issues in deep mud or water, I only ever encounter this while crawling at an incline........ may look into trying a new set of plugs, and the tank was more than 3/4 full during the last incident, and am very sure it was more than 1/2 anyothertime it has occured.

Whats your gear ratio?  3.07s?  Because if you have 3.07 you mind be bogging down especially trying to idle up.  Also since you said you can hall a$$ from a start this leads me to believe you have numerically lower gears and might just need a little more momentum

[Rookie]

What was the t-case in 2h,4h,4l ?

If anything other than 4L then your simply bogging the engine to the point of stall. You could feather the clutch but that would increase  wear on it

Try the same hill in 4L and 1 or 2 and post your results

Steve

[Rubi03 jef]

What was the t-case in 2h,4h,4l ?

If anything other than 4L then your simply bogging the engine to the point of stall. You could feather the clutch but that would increase  wear on it

Try the same hill in 4L and 1 or 2 and post your results

Steve

in 4L you should beable to climb about anything
if in 4H then you are bogging like  the above person had said

[Evil-Jeep]

Good point BlackYJ...... I may have to consider this.

The first time I encountered this I was crawling out of a pond (a dead pond, no veggies or fish) I was in 4L but was full of water, so the extra weight may have contributed to this. my last occurence I was running in 4H..... darn I guess I will have to go out again this weekend and try it in 4L.... I will post results.



Thanks again everyone

[dunl]

Stay away from water, and please don't post about it.  No matter how you excuse it, it looks bad for all of us.

[Rubi03 jef]

Stay away from water, and please don't post about it.  No matter how you excuse it, it looks bad for all of us.

lets just say he drove through a big puddle .. that sounds good

[dac]

For loose comparison, mine with 3.73's and 33's hauls on the highway but if I start climbing hills in 2ho or 4hi powers out, 4lo it's good though.  My guess is that you're powering out.  I would assume if it runs good on the flats under full throttle/load than you're probably getting enough fuel.  As for spark plugs, as long as they are good, I wouldn't really worry about it.  I don't think it's worth spending the cash on special plugs though; My last set were single platinums and the set now are ngk v-powers, no difference in performance, just make sure they are in good shape.

Also, mine is an 02, the fuel filter/screen has never been changed.

Hope this helps,

dc

[Evil-Jeep]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! looks like I may explore my options with gearing. I sense this may the beginning of a long overdue journey that will eventually include bigger axles, gears, tires etc, etc, etc. In all honesty I new this day would come.

And as for the water... I recognize the need to be seen as a responsible user, and will only ever cross in designated areas; as for the pond, it was an old trailing pond at an abandoned mine and was part of the entrance to an area I frequently explore.


Thanks again for the help.