[rcmsdc]

ok I currently have 31" tires on a 4.10 ratio set up. what kind of difference would I experience if I did a 4.88 upgrade or is it even worth it?

[gclark14]

Originally Posted by rcmsdc

ok I currently have 31" tires on a 4.10 ratio set up. what kind of difference would I experience if I did a 4.88 upgrade or is it even worth it?

Why would you want to do that?

[rcmsdc]

Originally Posted by gclark14

Why would you want to do that?

well my main reason is because my front diff is shot and rebuilding cost as much to re-gear. honestly I'm in the dark on gear ratios. ive got a buddy who went 4.88 and loves it. plus im having trouble finding a new diff geared in 4.10

[Gadgetguy]

It couldn't hurt, you'll get more power off the line but lower top end speed. You might run ad some odd rpms maintaining 65 on a freeway than you did before. If you plan on going to bigger tires any time down the road I would go that route myself.

[gclark14]

4.88s would be a little much if you're not running bigger tires in my opinion. I'm running 33s on stock gears right now and it's not bad at all so I would say no to the 4.88s. But hey that's just me

[rcmsdc]

if I can find a front diff in 4.10 id be happy. that would be my cheapest route. correct me if I'm wrong but is the diff for the 01-02 runners different then the 96-00 because I found one on ebay for 96-00 for like 200$ with 147k miles . but it looks different than my 02 diff especially the ADD system, is that something i can just swap over ?

[Gadgetguy]

Rebuilding one diff will still be cheaper than rebuilding two, even if you need a new ring and pinion. As far as how the years are compatible I don't know. When it comes to stuff like diffs, engines and transmissions I usually go rebuild because it's a lot of money in labor to lose because I don't know how to inspect them myself and if I pay somebody to put a used part in I'm SOL if it's bad. Around here most people want $450 or so for a rear 8" with E-locker and I can have mine pulled and rebuilt with new bearings for $800, and most of that is labor. I've had to pay for labor twice because I tried to save coin on the parts, it sucks lol

[4-Ripcord]

4.88's on 31's in not a good idea, unless it is for a low speed towing vehicle of some kind.

[IBallEngineer]

No one can tell you if 4.88 are good or bad. How you use it will dictate if you should do it or not. If it's a daily driver, probably not the best choice with a tire that small. If you use it for wheeling most of the time, you'll enjoy the benefits there. If you enjoy flying up the 15 to Vegas, or just to get out of the IE, then 4.88 gearing would be a really bad idea.

Personally I wouldn't use 4.88 with anything less than 33" tires, I have 35's on my cruiser with 4.88 and they served me well. Although now that I have the 4runner as my DD, I wish I had steeper gearing.

The chart posted above is a good general guide. Use it!

[KidVermicious]

Originally Posted by rcmsdc

ok I currently have 31" tires on a 4.10 ratio set up. what kind of difference would I experience if I did a 4.88 upgrade or is it even worth it?

Gear Ratio Calculator

Originally Posted by rcmsdc

plus im having trouble finding a new diff geared in 4.10

http://www.car-part.com/

What are you doing with your truck? What do you think higher gearing will do for you?

[rcmsdc]

I love the info provided. running 4.10's looks like I got the best for on and off road. with more research I would completely rule out 4.88's and go with 4.56"s. I do a lot of off-roading not so much crawling but more so hauling @$$ or trying to anyway. so I wanted more power off the line. so according to the chart "IF" I went up a notch on my gears 4.56 would be more ideal. if I cant find a good 4.10 diff for cheap ill go ahead and take advantage of this breakdown and upgrade the runner with new gear ratio and a rear locker

[JayRolla]

Originally Posted by rcmsdc

I love the info provided. running 4.10's looks like I got the best for on and off road. with more research I would completely rule out 4.88's and go with 4.56"s. I do a lot of off-roading not so much crawling but more so hauling @$$ or trying to anyway. so I wanted more power off the line. so according to the chart "IF" I went up a notch on my gears 4.56 would be more ideal. if I cant find a good 4.10 diff for cheap ill go ahead and take advantage of this breakdown and upgrade the runner with new gear ratio and a rear locker

If sticking with 31" tires than 4.30 would be the best in your situation. But like stated if you switch front you must also rebuild the rear to match. That gets expensive.

[Doc2012]

FWIW,

I ran 4.88s and 265/75/16s for a while.

Had NO issues highway or offroad, and was at about 25-2800RPM doing ~70.

[dhalsey]

Originally Posted by Doc2012

FWIW,

I ran 4.88s and 265/75/16s for a while.

Had NO issues highway or offroad, and was at about 25-2800RPM doing ~70.

I've been searching for posts that reference 265/75/16's and 4.88 gearing. I'm running 285's right now. but I'm considering a tire change back to a 265 in the future. The truck is a grocery getter/camping rig. I've been looking at the gear ratio changes and the difference between 285/75/16's and a 265/75/16 is only 100 rpms more at 75 mph. No one seems to recommend the 4.88 with a 265 though.

I've got a supercharger and shift kit going on in the next 2 to 3 weeks. I'm wondering what kind of fun I would have if I went back to a 46 pound 265/75/16 duratrac from heavy 33's??

Doc, Did you ever feel like you were annoyed with the higher revving engine on the highway. It seems like it would make the truck even more fun.

[ua330]

Originally Posted by Doc2012

FWIW,





I ran 4.88s and 265/75/16s for a while.





Had NO issues highway or offroad, and was at about 25-2800RPM doing ~70.

Compared to stock gears 265/75/16 running 21-2200 RPM ~70mph