For those of you that have re-geared, got a question

[Rock Slide]

For those of you that have re-geared,

1. Why did you do it?
2. Was it worth it?
3. What ratio did you go from and to?

Reason I ask is this:
I currently have 31" tires on my '02 4Runner, auto w/ 4.10 gearing. I hope to get a new set of tires fairly soon (going with either a 265/75 or a 285), and I am teetering back and forth about what size to go with. I do a good bit of freeway driving (commute 40 miles round trip to work/home M-F), and was curious if I went w/ a 285, would I feel a great deal of power loss along w/ a significant loss in mpgs? I thought about just buying a set of 32's now and when they wear out, get a set of 33's. However, I could just go w/ 33's now, and be done with it.

If I went w/ 285s (now or later doesn't really matter) would re-gearing the truck help a significant amount or is it even worth it? If I go with a set of 285s, I've thought about installing either a set of 4.30s or 4.56s. Would I even feel an improvement with 4.30s? Or would I be better off just getting the 4.56s?

I guess what I'm ultimately trying to ask is, which gear ratio w/ 285s will be the equivalent of 4.10s and 31" tires?

[Lee]

33's will give you a power loss with 4.10's, yes... but if youre gonna regear you should move to 4.88's. 4.10 to 4.30 will be nothing, and 4.56 wont be THAT big of a leap, imo.

im gonna regear soon to get my gas mileage back and take some stress off my transmission... ill be going to 4.88's. i have read a lot of places that 5.29's (while cheaper) are actually not as strong.

so 4.88's it is for me.

[Rock Slide]

really, 4.88s? Had not considered those. I figured 4.88s would be too low.

About 8yrs ago, I owned an '86 4Runner 5spd, 4cyl that I had 33's on w/ 4.88s installed. It pulled great by the way. I guess I thought w/ my current 4Runner being a V6 and auto that 4.88s would be to low of a gearing. Guess I may be wrong!

Thanks for the advice though, I guess I need to do some research on the 4.88s instead.


EDIT: I agree with 5.29s not being as strong...too many teeth. More chance of a tooth breaking/chipping.

[Bighead]

If you don't plan on going any bigger than 285s, then I say go 4.56 gears. Up until last summer, I ran 285s and 4.88s and felt my RPMs were too high for comfort. I don't have the exact RPM numbers anymore but I definitely felt it during my 70 mile round trip commute and my many trips cross country. Since I changed to 315s, the 4.88s feel just right during both city and highway driving.

[Cheese]

EDIT: I agree with 5.29s not being as strong...too many teeth. More chance of a tooth breaking/chipping.


No, too FEW teeth. Less contact.

I ran 3.4 and auto in my 95 with 33's and 5.29's. It would go 95 no worries. Economy was almost 18.

Most people claim powerloss at 285 to be unimportant. Regearing is expensive and gives a chance for lockers.

I believe do it once if you are going to use the truck and go with 4.88's. You will probably end up at 35's anyway so you will have enough gear then too.

[97kurt]

I believe do it once if you are going to use the truck and go with 4.88's. You will probably end up at 35's anyway so you will have enough gear then too.


4.10 to 4.56 should be fine for 285's. But like Cheese said, if you plan on going bigger at a later date just do 4.88 now and save the expense. You will spend more on master kits and labor than the actual gears.

[Rock Slide]

EDIT: I agree with 5.29s not being as strong...too many teeth. More chance of a tooth breaking/chipping.


No, too FEW teeth. Less contact.

I believe do it once if you are going to use the truck and go with 4.88's. You will probably end up at 35's anyway so you will have enough gear then too.


Ah, that makes sense. I had it backwards :hillbill:

And oh no, I do not plan on running 35s. 285s will be plenty for me.

[Rock Slide]

4.10 to 4.56 should be fine for 285's. But like Cheese said, if you plan on going bigger at a later date just do 4.88 now and save the expense. You will spend more on master kits and labor than the actual gears.


Yeah, the gears are cheap...it's the labor that hurts your wallet.

On my '86 4Runner, I want to say I paid a grand for a front and rear set of Precision 4.88s along with labor...but even that wasn't as bad as some quotes I've seen.

[Rock Slide]

Oh and as far as going with 4.56s, this is one of many charts that I have based my reasoning on:

http://www.onandoffroad4wheeldrive.com/gear_ratio_guide.htm

[Lee]

I believe do it once if you are going to use the truck and go with 4.88's. You will probably end up at 35's anyway so you will have enough gear then too.



But like Cheese said, if you plan on going bigger at a later date just do 4.88 now and save the expense. You will spend more on master kits and labor than the actual gears.

agreed on both counts, thats what i meant. if youre regearing for the longterm and plan to use your truck, 4.88's.

[d0ubledown]

4.30's will get you back to stock with 32.5's (285's) and 4.56's will give you a bit more oomph, at minimal increase at rpm's. 4.88's will be a bit buzzier at cruising speed.

i went from stock+4.30's to 285's+4.30's then to 315's with 4.30's and finally 315's with 4.88's. the biggest difference in feel was from stock tires to 285's on the stock 4.30's. once i went up to the 315's..the 4.30's were waay too low. back to stock powerband it went with the 4.88's.

i think bamachem went from 4.10's to 4.56's in his old runner. might want to ask his opinion.

imo, if you were contemplating 265's or 285's as your biggest option, go 4.56's. if thinking about going bigger like 295's or 315's...definitely 4.88's.

[xcmountain80]

This is what Bama said

I drove the runner to work the last two days.

At an indicated 55MPH, my actual was calculated to be approx 60.5MPH, and my RPM were 1700. At an indicated 68 MPH, my actual speed was calculated at 75 MPH, and my RPM were 2200.

I had approx 160 miles of interstate driving with some hills at a steady 68 MPH (no cruise set), and then another 78 miles of back-roads, some very hilly and curvy, causing lots of acceleration, braking, etc. I got ~16.7 MPG on this last tank!

greengrin

I hope that helps!

Aaron

[Rock Slide]

Aaron, did he have stock 4.10s in w/ 285s then?


Doubledown, thanks! That's some good info!

[xcmountain80]

No he was running 4.56's. I actually contacted him 1st cause I knew thats the setup he was running. He has since sold the 4Runner and replaced it with a LandCruiser. 4.56's are in my future as well + a LSD for the rear. I just have not a whole lot of power, well power yes but no go when I punch it.


Aaron

[Cheese]

On a personal vendetta note, what is this "buzzier" stuff? People always tell me more gearing makes the truck buzzy.

Is it really taching THAT much more?

I have the same drivetrain as you guys in a lighter truck. I had slightly more tire, a 33x12.5 versus a 285, but it would go like a raped ape. Not sure what I was turning RPM wise as I do not have a tach since the swap but I don't think it was "buzzy".

I have also ridden in and driven a bunch of geared 3rd Gens. The 5 spds pulled harder with the 4.88's, but they all drove good up to road speed.

[Lee]

i am SO tired of my 33x12.5's on 4.10s with city driving :(

[xcmountain80]

On a personal vendetta note, what is this "buzzier" stuff? People always tell me more gearing makes the truck buzzy.

Is it really taching THAT much more?

I have the same drivetrain as you guys in a lighter truck. I had slightly more tire, a 33x12.5 versus a 285, but it would go like a raped ape. Not sure what I was turning RPM wise as I do not have a tach since the swap but I don't think it was "buzzy".

I have also ridden in and driven a bunch of geared 3rd Gens. The 5 spds pulled harder with the 4.88's, but they all drove good up to road speed.


Someone posted somewhere that I dont remember where Oh yeah it was a 3rd gen with 4.88's and 285's the rpm's where a bit on the high side here it is
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=1471.msg20147#msg20147
Re: Gas Mileage and RPM's?
« Reply #35 on: July 31, 2007, 04:12:24 PM »
Reply with quote
Gearing: 4.88
Tires: 285/75/16
Performance: Cat back exhaust and Airaid Jr. Intake
RPM's @ 60mph: 2100
RPM's @ 70mph: 2475

Average MPG is right around 13. Thats pretty much city driving. Straight freeway driving i will pull around 16. I always drive with the ECT on and i kinda have a heavy foot. I'm sure that the extra 600ish lbs of crap on/in the rig at all times dosent help either. Oh well, gas prices are going down. Only 3.20 a gallon now. Haha.


So thats why I won't bother with the 4.88's I thought about running 35's on the runner but I really don't need em that big though it would look badass!

Aaron

[xcmountain80]

i am SO tired of my 33x12.5's on 4.10s with city driving :(


YOu and me both!

Aaron

[d0ubledown]

On a personal vendetta note, what is this "buzzier" stuff? People always tell me more gearing makes the truck buzzy.

Is it really taching THAT much more?

I have the same drivetrain as you guys in a lighter truck. I had slightly more tire, a 33x12.5 versus a 285, but it would go like a raped ape. Not sure what I was turning RPM wise as I do not have a tach since the swap but I don't think it was "buzzy".

I have also ridden in and driven a bunch of geared 3rd Gens. The 5 spds pulled harder with the 4.88's, but they all drove good up to road speed.



to me, buzzier is anything higher than stock. i mostly reference it to cruising motor speed. on the highway, i can cruise at an indicated 100km/h, and be at approx 2500 rpm. approachingan indicated 120km/h rpm's jump close to 3K. with the higher gears, it'd be like doing 105km/h @115 km/h's rev count.

but then again, i rarely cruise at anything over 60mph...so anything higher than 27/2800rpm is buzzy to me..

[xonetruthcrewx]

I have 4.88's and 285/70/17's. Before i regeared i had 4.10's with 285/75/16's. The 4.10's sucked, especially if you have any hills to drive up. The 4.88's have been very nice. Yeah my gas mileage sucks in the city, but whatever. I still pull 16 and sometimes 17 on the highway. Even though stock tire size to 33's would be equal to going to 4.56's, you need to consider the extra rotational weight. That has a lot do do with the trucks acceleration. I wouldnt go with anything other than the 4.88's.

[bamachem]

4.30's will get you back to stock with 32.5's (285's) and 4.56's will give you a bit more oomph, at minimal increase at rpm's. 4.88's will be a bit buzzier at cruising speed.

i went from stock+4.30's to 285's+4.30's then to 315's with 4.30's and finally 315's with 4.88's. the biggest difference in feel was from stock tires to 285's on the stock 4.30's. once i went up to the 315's..the 4.30's were waay too low. back to stock powerband it went with the 4.88's.

i think bamachem went from 4.10's to 4.56's in his old runner. might want to ask his opinion.

imo, if you were contemplating 265's or 285's as your biggest option, go 4.56's. if thinking about going bigger like 295's or 315's...definitely 4.88's.


well, sort-of...



I have 4.88's and 285/70/17's. Before i regeared i had 4.10's with 285/75/16's. The 4.10's sucked, especially if you have any hills to drive up. The 4.88's have been very nice. Yeah my gas mileage sucks in the city, but whatever. I still pull 16 and sometimes 17 on the highway. Even though stock tire size to 33's would be equal to going to 4.56's, you need to consider the extra rotational weight. That has a lot do do with the trucks acceleration. I wouldnt go with anything other than the 4.88's.


bingo.

the 4.56's and 285's or 305's is really OK, but not exceptional. there isn't much difference at all in the "feel" from the 305's to the 315's w/ the 4.56's. that's because you've already increased the rotational weight. at that point, the diameter increase isn't as bad as the weight.

it's a shame that they didn't make a set of 4.72's - right in the middle. the 4.56's will leave just a little to be desired. the 4.88's might have you turning some high RPM's on the highway when over the posted speed limits. just choose which is best for you.

oh, and with 305's and a ton of extra weight, i could get 15MPG in the city and 17-ish on the highway with the 4.56's.

with 315's, i would get about the same, with just a tad less feel of power.

[Rock Slide]

I have 4.88's and 285/70/17's. Before i regeared i had 4.10's with 285/75/16's. The 4.10's sucked, especially if you have any hills to drive up. The 4.88's have been very nice. Yeah my gas mileage sucks in the city, but whatever. I still pull 16 and sometimes 17 on the highway. Even though stock tire size to 33's would be equal to going to 4.56's, you need to consider the extra rotational weight. That has a lot do do with the trucks acceleration. I wouldnt go with anything other than the 4.88's.


Good point. That's still decent mpgs on the highways too.




bingo.

the 4.56's and 285's or 305's is really OK, but not exceptional. there isn't much difference at all in the "feel" from the 305's to the 315's w/ the 4.56's. that's because you've already increased the rotational weight. at that point, the diameter increase isn't as bad as the weight.

it's a shame that they didn't make a set of 4.72's - right in the middle. the 4.56's will leave just a little to be desired. the 4.88's might have you turning some high RPM's on the highway when over the posted speed limits. just choose which is best for you.

Yeah really. A set right in the middle would be perfect.

Birmingham interstates have a good bit of rolling hills (which you probably already know)...which tends to lead me towards 4.88s being the more appropriate choice. However, I have a lead foot and seem to enjoy driving 75-80mph on the highways. This in turn, leads me towards 4.56s b/c they might help keep the rmps down at higher speeds as opposed to 4.88s. Guess I just need to make a decision and go with it.



oh, and with 305's and a ton of extra weight, i could get 15MPG in the city and 17-ish on the highway with the 4.56's.

with 315's, i would get about the same, with just a tad less feel of power.


Wow, those are good mpgs w/ 4.56s too.



Well, I have at least reached one decision - From what you guys have all said about going from 31's to 285s w/ stock gearing, I'll simply go with 265/75s for the time being. As the 32's wear down, I'll do my best to save for gears (maybe a locker or two) and some new 285s. At least then when the time comes for some new tires, maybe I can get it all done in one wack.

Thanks again guys...this is some good information on gear choices.

[xcmountain80]

Yep I'm set, 4.56's are going in sometime with a LSD in the rear. Since FL is primarily flat the lower rpm's are good. I do get about 17 flat every tank, so with less rpm to get things moving I could stand to gain a little. And just the added help of the slightly lower gears when on trips this will make a huge difference in the climbing aspect over the stock gearing. As I would love to change to 4.88's I would need 35's, yea yea save up my ass I just couldnt do that. Not to mention I have two sets of tires now Nitto Terra ROAD and Cooper STT Offroad. I would have to spend more money ... nope nope nope Im doing 4.56 and thats it wel... maybe 35's no!

Aaron

[Cebby]

I didn't notice mine being buzzier (just noisier tires) when I went to 5.29's with 33's from 4.88's and 32's. Granted this was in a 2nd Gen though. My gas mileage got better around town and on the highway with that minor change...

I doubt you will regret going to 4.88's - it's an expensive proposition to regear, so do it once and do it right.

[Ric]

i was asked to chime here, so Ive got the 3.4 auto, with 33s, I went with 4:88s, its quick enough and fast enough for me, its a lifted 4x4, not a race car, lol, sure I could have done something different, but for me, and the wheeling I do, Im very happy with the 4:88s :thumbup:

I dont plan on going to 35s, (key word there is "plan")Ill be reall happy when i get new tires, and put LC wheels one :D

[xcmountain80]

i was asked to chime here, so Ive got the 3.4 auto, with 33s, I went with 4:88s, its quick enough and fast enough for me, its a lifted 4x4, not a race car, lol, sure I could have done something different, but for me, and the wheeling I do, Im very happy with the 4:88s :thumbup:

I dont plan on going to 35s, (key word there is "plan")Ill be reall happy when i get new tires, and put LC wheels one :D


But do you run highway speeds for any amount of time? Say 3-8 hours? My biggest deal to gear down to 4.56/4.88 is what the top end will be like. Unlike some members on this board and others I know he 4runner is not a speed machine it's a darn 4x4 SUV with offroad heritage. If I wanted fast I would have purchased a Supra (don't get me started). According to Bama's numbers with the 4.56's those are good. We had 4.88 in my brothers DC Taco auto with 35's and yeah it was peppy but he said the crusiing speed slighlty lacked, once he went with the 375.70.18 (36/15.50/18)he seemed to think it leveled the power band out a bit and now feel s like its back to stock. Back on point when I take trips I need to cruise btwn 70-80mph with decent rpm range. In my 95 toyo pu it had 33's and either 4.30's or 4.27's and it was hard to hold 75mph (totally different beast 3.0slow). I'm planning a trip from FL to Maine then across the great country of Canada, not to mention all the other driving I do. So when I gear I want it right the 1st time. After Tellico I know she can make it to most anyplace. I didn't build it as a rock crawler but a DD with all the provisions for overland travel and the ability to get in and out in 1 piece. SO what will it be? Ric would you drive your truck from up the east coast them across country geared the way it is? By the way that rim is working out wonderfully thanks again.

Aaron

[Rock Slide]

i was asked to chime here, so Ive got the 3.4 auto, with 33s, I went with 4:88s, its quick enough and fast enough for me, its a lifted 4x4, not a race car, lol, sure I could have done something different, but for me, and the wheeling I do, Im very happy with the 4:88s :thumbup:

I dont plan on going to 35s, (key word there is "plan")Ill be reall happy when i get new tires, and put LC wheels one :D


Thanks Ric. I'm w/ Aaron on this one. By no means do I want to fly down the hwy in this truck either (although that'd be nice, it's not a sports car), but I do rack up more hwy miles than anything. Which leads me to asking...how does your 4Runner do @ 70-75mph with 4.88s and 33's?

More importantly, what are your revs at when you're cruising at 70 and 75? Just curious.

[Ric]

as far as my RPMs at highway speeds, Ill try to check that today, to get an good reading, but i dont do much highway driving during the week, on the weekends Im driving to the mountains, can be abything from 30 mins to a couple of hour drive.
I know that the RPMs aint to high driving at highway speeds, and I did do about 85MPH last weekend, coming back from the BV area for a short stent, just to see what the top speed would be, :D IF, I remember right, the GPS said i did 90 :headscratch:
I will try to check today about the RPMs at say 70, oh remember Im at about 5000 ft. IF that makes a difference.

[Cheese]

Again, the idea that gearing limits top end only becomes an actual concern at the extreme tire size/gearing pairing.

I ran 5.29's with 33's and the same drivetrain, 3.4 and auto. I could go 100 and get nearly 20 MPG on the highway when cruising at or around 80.

[Rock Slide]

as far as my RPMs at highway speeds, Ill try to check that today, to get an good reading, but i dont do much highway driving during the week, on the weekends Im driving to the mountains, can be abything from 30 mins to a couple of hour drive.
I know that the RPMs aint to high driving at highway speeds, and I did do about 85MPH last weekend, coming back from the BV area for a short stent, just to see what the top speed would be, :D IF, I remember right, the GPS said i did 90 :headscratch:
I will try to check today about the RPMs at say 70, oh remember Im at about 5000 ft. IF that makes a difference.


Thanks Ric, I'd appreciate it. And again no hurry on the numbers, I'm just curious what they are.

You said you did 85mph huh? I'm sure you had extra gear on board and what not, but do you remember about what mpgs you got out of a full tank of gas?



Again, the idea that gearing limits top end only becomes an actual concern at the extreme tire size/gearing pairing.

I ran 5.29's with 33's and the same drivetrain, 3.4 and auto. I could go 100 and get nearly 20 MPG on the highway when cruising at or around 80.


Yeah, I didn't think low gears really limited top speed, I just felt the engine rev'd high while doing high speeds would decrease mpgs.

That's really cool you got those mpgs w/ 5.29s and 33's at those speeds. Just goes to show you, it can be done.

[Ric]

You said you did 85mph huh? I'm sure you had extra gear on board and what not
yeppers, it was fully loaded, that was on the way back from a camping weekend.


but do you remember about what mpgs you got out of a full tank of gas?
sorry, sure dont.

As far as the RPM numbers:
40 MPH - 1500 RPMs
50 MPH - 1800 RPMs
60 MPH - 2200 PRMs
65 MPH - 2400 RPMs
70 mph - 2600 prms
the Elevation is right at 5200 feet, if that makes a difference, (i have no idea, lol)

[Rock Slide]

As far as the RPM numbers:
40 MPH - 1500 RPMs
50 MPH - 1800 RPMs
60 MPH - 2200 PRMs
65 MPH - 2400 RPMs
70 mph - 2600 RPMs
the Elevation is right at 5200 feet, if that makes a difference, (i have no idea, lol)


Wow, that was quick! Thanks :thumbup:

(Yeah, I have no idea if the elevation makes a difference either...but good to know anyway :) )

[Ric]

NP, glad to help out