4.88's and 33's

[Linerunner]

I am looking to put 255/85/16 Bighorns on my 1997 Limited w/ factory elocker. I was thinking of replacing the factory 4.30 gears with 4.88 gears. I have the 3.4 V6 w/ Auto trans. If i do the conversion am i still going to be able to use my elocker, and if not, what would you suggest for a locker to take its place?

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

I am looking to put 255/85/16 Bighorns on my 1997 Limited w/ factory elocker. I was thinking of replacing the factory 4.30 gears with 4.88 gears. I have the 3.4 V6 w/ Auto trans. If i do the conversion am i still going to be able to use my elocker, and if not, what would you suggest for a locker to take its place?

Yes you will be able to use your e locker as long a you get the gears for an e locker axle.

 

[AZ_Trails]

You can re-gear and utilize the e-locker. Since you'll be tearing into the front, might be a good time to put in a locker up front too.

 

[Mynameistommy510]

I am looking to put 255/85/16 Bighorns on my 1997 Limited w/ factory elocker. I was thinking of replacing the factory 4.30 gears with 4.88 gears. I have the 3.4 V6 w/ Auto trans. If i do the conversion am i still going to be able to use my elocker, and if not, what would you suggest for a locker to take its place?

If you buy the 4.88 ring and pinion plus the master install kit, your locking differential can be set up by yourself or a professional. There's some popular and preferred companies that will set up an entire 3rd member with new gears for a decent price in return that you send in your old differential. There's a lot of good info across this whole forum concerning gear setup and trusted companies. Just search "regear to 4.88."

 

[the great him]

id urge you to reconsider your tire choice... i have run the maxxis bighorns, and while i like them and their traction and their affordable price, but 6 of them last ones i had on my 4runner where terribly out of round, to the point of shaking bumpers and lights lose. never again will i buy another set. for what its worth, i picked up a set of brand new MTRs from america/discount tire for installed for less than the cost of the same tire in the bighorn flavor. -them being out of round is a rather common issue with them come to find out after some research. i suggest finding another tire that will work for you.

as far as your gearing goes yes, just get 4.88s for a toyota v6 8" and you will be good to go. and right now there is an ARB group buy going on here...

 

[EPatt]

I've had 2 sets of 255's and have not had any problems with the. I'm running them now with stock gears, and don't notice a huuuuge difference over the stock tires, however, I know what I drive and I'm not expecting NASCAR speed to begin with.

 

[Mynameistommy510]

id urge you to reconsider your tire choice... i have run the maxxis bighorns, and while i like them and their traction and their affordable price, but 6 of them last ones i had on my 4runner where terribly out of round, to the point of shaking bumpers and lights lose. never again will i buy another set. for what its worth, i picked up a set of brand new MTRs from america/discount tire for installed for less than the cost of the same tire in the bighorn flavor. -them being out of round is a rather common issue with them come to find out after some research. i suggest finding another tire that will work for you.

as far as your gearing goes yes, just get 4.88s for a toyota v6 8" and you will be good to go. and right now there is an ARB group buy going on here...

I believe to locking rear is a 7.5" just don't quote me on this.
Edit: sorry the rear is actually the v6 8" while the front is a 7.5"

 

[the great him]

i believe to locking rear is a 7.5" just don't quote me on this.
Edit: Sorry the rear is actually the v6 8" while the front is a 7.5"

 

[Mynameistommy510]

View attachment 136143

Hahah thanks for that one. Best to check my facts before posting.

 

[snow junky]

Your gojng to spent over $1000 to changing out 4.30 to 4.88???

The difference with 33s will be un noticeable. Stay 4.30 especially with that this thin of a 33

 

[Linerunner]

4.88 and 33's

Thanks for the input! As far as the tire choice goes....That size, 255/85/16 only is made by a few manufactures that i know of. BfG, Cooper, Maxxis, Toyo, Interco???? Anyone ever try the Cooper Discovery ST's?

 

[the great him]

Thanks for the input! As far as the tire choice goes....That size, 255/85/16 only is made by a few manufactures that i know of. BfG, Cooper, Maxxis, Toyo, Interco???? Anyone ever try the Cooper Discovery ST's?

the cooper MAXX st is a great tire. that would be my recommendation in that size.

 

[Jon]

I'd highly suggest using that $ elsewhere. I've got 4.88s on 35s and now wish I had just kept the 4.30s and gone with a crawl box. I did the 5spd swap right before the 35s and I was getting 18mpg on the hwy. After gears I'm down to 12-14mpg. My A340 was doing fine with my 275/75R16 Kumhos. Just make sure you do an external trans cooler.

Gearing for 33's is just not worth it IMHO. Good luck man.

- R150F (5spd)

First Gear: 3.830:1
Second Gear: 2.062:1
Third Gear: 1.436:1
Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
Fifth Gear: 0.838:1

- A340F (auto)

1st 2.804
2nd 1.531
3rd 1.000
4th 0.705
Reverse: 2.393.

 

[ajonesnv]

Thanks for the input! As far as the tire choice goes....That size, 255/85/16 only is made by a few manufactures that i know of. BfG, Cooper, Maxxis, Toyo, Interco???? Anyone ever try the Cooper Discovery ST's?

Ive been running a set of Copper Discovery AT and I have been impressed with them.

 

[nevada]

Your gojng to spent over $1000 to changing out 4.30 to 4.88???

The difference with 33s will be un noticeable. Stay 4.30 especially with that this thin of a 33

I don't understand these responses. this site is full of them.
re-gearing to offset tire size is a GREAT idea. no matter how small of a change. lots of people just settle for close enough, but some want things to be correct. its his money, if he wants to spend on it gearing his rig accordingly, GOOD FOR HIM. I wish more people would do this, and see the difference it really makes.

 

[Linerunner]

This is the first Auto trans Yota i've owned, also the first w/ a V6. I have done quite a bit of research gearing, and the proper gears to run. Honestly these posts were the first i've seen that say not to gear it. All the other Toyota's I've owned w/ oversized tires, could smell a hill coming from a mile away. Right now my rig goes pretty good stock, and from my understanding the 4.88's should offset the tires so that it still performs as stock or possibly a little better. Ya it probably will tack a little higher, i do have a trans cooler, and its a weekend driver. Thanks for the input! Oh ya, gears w/ install kits front and rear, plus a new yoke for the rear delivered $850, (ECGS). Will have a set of 4.30's for sale shortly, hard to come by!

 

[the great him]

Its totally worth it to regear... I don't know what he is talking about. My only regret with regearing is that I didn't do it sooner!

 

[snow junky]

This is the first Auto trans Yota i've owned, also the first w/ a V6. I have done quite a bit of research gearing, and the proper gears to run. Honestly these posts were the first i've seen that say not to gear it. All the other Toyota's I've owned w/ oversized tires, could smell a hill coming from a mile away. Right now my rig goes pretty good stock, and from my understanding the 4.88's should offset the tires so that it still performs as stock or possibly a little better. Ya it probably will tack a little higher, i do have a trans cooler, and its a weekend driver. Thanks for the input! Oh ya, gears w/ install kits front and rear, plus a new yoke for the rear delivered $850, (ECGS). Will have a set of 4.30's for sale shortly, hard to come by!

Is $850 just for the parts?

I had 33-12.5-15 with 4.10 and 4cyl It was just fine. When I put 35s on with the 410s it would barely move. If your going to regear go to 529s

 

[Jon]

Is $850 just for the parts?

I had 33-12.5-15 with 4.10 and 4cyl It was just fine. When I put 35s on with the 410s it would barely move. If your going to regear go to 529s

5.29s on 33s? :lmao: You are kidding....right?

The 3.4 engine has plenty of power to pull these trucks. Ask Downpour11, he was rocking the stock 4.10s with his 35's, granted his engine only had about 360,000 miles on it.

It's your call, I'm just trying to help man. Either way, good luck with it.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I'm new to the forum, but not to trucks, Toyotas, or even math. I have to say- the bad advice in this thread is extremely disappointing!

4.88's are not a waste of money for 33's.

5.29's would be just ridiculous for 33's.

The jump from 4.30's to 4.88's might not be anything to write the president about, but if you don't plan on going any larger than 33's, and plan on keeping your rig- 4.88's are a great choice.

Let us know what you do and how you like it!