Regearing Questions

[gabe]

I would like to find out what the advantages and disadvantages are with changing gears.
I have 4.11's and would like to get better gas mileage and more power.
How do the lower gears effect highway driving?
How low of a gear, is too far for a highway driver?

Sorry if this seems stupid, but I just can't seem to find the info that I'm looking for...
Thanks in advance for any info :)

[elripster]

Well, generally, lower gears improve acceleration. They can help or hurt MPG depending on a host of other factors. Often (not always) we put larger tires on our trucks and see an increase in MPG when we correct for the new tire size with gearing.

If you have stock tires, you will get the best performance with stock gears all the way around.

Frank

[4runnerchevy]

Here is some good info.


http://4lo.com/calc/geartable.htm

[gabe]

Here is some good info.


http://4lo.com/calc/geartable.htm


according to that chart, my truck is within factory specs... I have 32's and 4.11 gears.... I don't see why toyota would set up an engine that can't keep a speed of 55 up a hill(without putting the pedal to the floor). I had 30's on it before and it was fine...
I love toyota's, I just want more power and don't want to sacrifice gas mileage for it...
I really don't want to have to put another engine in it... I'd like to keep it all toyota and for the most part original...

[elripster]

32's were never an option from the factory so regardless of the chart, you are over geared and this can be corrected. Do you have the 5 speed or auto?

Frank

[4runnerchevy]

Is it an Auto or Manual? I see you are running 32" tires. Do you ever plan on going bigger ? I would say go withh 4.56's or 4.88's and that will give you a little more power with a small loss in MPG. 4.88's for 33" is a good rule of thumb.

[gabe]

I have a 5 speed... I might go to 33's when these tires wear out...

I would think, just from using logic, that if you aren't pushing on the gas as much, then you would get better gas mileage...

so if the lower the gear, the more power, then the lower the gear the less you are pushing on the gas

so what stops me from getting the lowest gear possible? there's got to be something, or everyone would be doing it...

[elripster]

Low gearing works when you have an engine with a lot of excess torque. Our engines, I'm afraid, don't have that.

First off, if you had a 29" tire stock, you are now 10% over geared. Now that said I had 32's with stock gears and the truck was...Ok. I regeared which improved it a lot but it did Ok. If you can't hold 55MPH in 5th, you do need to take a look at the engine because for example, I drove that way to Montana from San Diego with the truck (89 4runner, 4" lift) loaded to the roof at like 80-90MPH and got around 18MPG. I'd get around 13-14 in the city though.

Still, you should be running 4.56's with that set up for all around performance. If you lift where it is flat and don't drive terribly fast, tuning up the engine and leaving it as is could yield the best freeway economy. Your city MPG will suffer do to the over gearing condition though hence why I say best all around will be with the 4.56's.

Frank

[4runnerchevy]

From the chart, if you stuck 5.71's in your truck your truck would be turning 3897 and where your currently 2805. Thats a little more than 1000 rpms more at 65mph. Lead foot or not, your using more gas.

[elripster]

Just clarify my response, I typically regard lower gearing as the gear with the largest numerical difference. For example, 5.71's are really "low" as in low speed (high torque) gears.

If you gabe want 33's down the road, I had very good luck with 4.88s and 33's on my 5 speed 4runner. I had 4.56's with 33's but my ability to pull hills in 5th was very good with the 4.88's where I had to downshift much more with the 4.56's.

Frank

[gabe]

so basically my engine is just worn out...

[elripster]

Maybe, my old truck had 297,000+ on it and ran like a top. I'm not sure of you engine's recent maintenance but it is possible it's worn.

Frank

[4runnerchevy]

Just clarify my response, I typically regard lower gearing as the gear with the largest numerical difference. For example, 5.71's are really "low" as in low speed (high torque) gears.

If you gabe want 33's down the road, I had very good luck with 4.88s and 33's on my 5 speed 4runner. I had 4.56's with 33's but my ability to pull hills in 5th was very good with the 4.88's where I had to downshift much more with the 4.56's.

Frank


x2

At 295,000 it couldn't hurt to rebuild it

[gabe]

I think I will try to find someone that is selling stock 4.88's or 4.56's...

Okay, this going to sound retarded, but do I have to change the front and rear gears?

[04 Rocko Taco]

yes if you EVER plan on putting it in 4WD, you have to change both, or else your axles will be spinning at different speeds, and thats no good...

[4runnerchevy]

There a million sources out there. I wouldn't recommend used gears unless from a reliable source.

[gabe]

There a million sources out there. I wouldn't recommend used gears unless from a reliable source.


are there any you'd recommend?

[elripster]

Here's one place.

http://www.gearinstalls.com/

I am using a local shop.

Frank

[4runnerchevy]

Yukon gear, Precision, Randy's Ring and Pinion

[Toyvana]

I bought pre-assembled diffs from NWOR so the install was a lot easier and faster for my shop. I also had NWOR install lockers before shipping.

If I was in your boat I would go with the 4.88's. I ran 33's for a long time with stock gearing and I rarely could use 5th gear except maybe downhill or a long straight away. Really, really sluggish.

Now that I'm geared properly for my tire size I have no problems driving in the fast lane, going up hill and 5th gear has a purpose again.

[AxleIke]

I just want more power and don't want to sacrifice gas mileage for it...

That right there is FUCKING hilarious.

Good luck with that.

[gabe]

I just want more power and don't want to sacrifice gas mileage for it...

That right there is ****ing hilarious.

Good luck with that.






um, thanks for laughing at me... :thumbup:

But, I will accomplish more power and less gas mileage... rather it be by new gears, 3.4 swap or rebuilding the 3.0...

I don't really see why it is that hilarious :headscratch:

[04 Rocko Taco]

Its because to make more power you have to use more gas... hence getting less gas mileage....

You CANNOT make more power with a regear...You cna make more speed with less power... but gears do not make power...

[AxleIke]

Apologies for laughing. Your thread was just the 100th thread I've read today on better mileage.

x2 on Rocko's post.

You could throw a 3.4 in. That WOULD get you more power and better mileage. Might take a few years to break even on it though.

[gabe]

I guess by power, I meant that I'd like to be able to go faster, with less effort...
as far as gearing goes, I wanted to make sure that I was using the optimum gear that balanced gas mileage and power...
but in the long run, if gears don't do it for me then I'll just go with an engine rebuild or swap for the 3.4 possibly...
either way, I'll be happier in the end :)

[4runnerchevy]

Good luck Gabe! :headscratch:

[gabe]

Thanks :)

and thanks again for all the good info from everybody :thumbup: