4WD Gear Ratios

[biglar]

Some time ago I posted asking about gear ratio options. Since then I've done quite a bit of research and have pretty much convinced myself I'm going to need 4.56 gears in my '02 3.4 4WD.

I did tow my present boat - trailer and all around 2500# - around town recently and was pleasantly surprised at how well my 'Runner did. Not to say it was a hot rod, but it did move it.

As I said earlier, I'll be moving to Florida soon and will be buying a bigger boat, for ranging up to 50 miles offshore. More research has shown me that there are some very desirable destinations up to 150 miles away and occasionally down to the Keys.

Sooo........I want to have better performance with less strain (on me) and go for the gears. I called the local wrecking yard (auto recyclers now ??) and he said there were no 4.56's listed for the 4Runner. None.

I disputed that and told him that I'd been told of several and he said, "too bad." Whatever he orders for me will be guaranteed to fit what ever it came out of, but not my car and they'd be non-returnable - at around $900 for the pair.

This isn't urgent - I doubt I'll make the change before moving, but I'd like to know exactly what will fit and where to find them.....and hopefully a better price.

I have set up differentials many years ago with dial indicator, etc., but really don't want to get into that again. A 3rd member (??) pumpkin (??) punkin (??) that'll bolt right in to my existing housing would be my choice.

Does anyone know for sure exactly what I need ??

Thanks.

 

[SnowLizard]

I'm sorry, but yes there are those running 4.56 gears for the 4runner... I'd honestly look at 4.88 gears.


go to a name brand website and order them offline. then go to a dedicated Axle shop to install...

Here in AZ I use 'Arizona Differentials' - Ask for Nate... at least call him, and he can give you a quote on the phone, he knows his ****. ask what brand he would recommend, then shop for that online.

that's all the advice I can give you, keep researching, and use google.

 

[UnderFire]

The chances of finding a front diff out of a 3rd gen or tacoma with 4.56's already in it are slim to none, those are very rare. If I were you, I would find the cheapest set of diffs you can with whatever gears and have some yukon gears put in, if you can get each diff for around 100$, you should be able to end up somewhere around the 900$ mark all said and done, and that's with all new parts in both diffs, so you'd be better off even.

 

[D Farms]

just turn the overdrive off, the reason for the button is specifically for when you are towing.

 

[St Runner]

If you want used 4.56 gears you need to find a 96-2000 2.7 5speed runner with axle code A05A. Even then you would need to do the spin test to make sure they were the right gears. They are more common than you would think in the new england area, but certainly not in florida where almost all 4runners are 2wd. Even if you find one, as everyone has said, you going to be putting a 200,000 mile used diff in your vehicle. If you are in florida send them off to east coast gear supply and get one with new gears. They can do 4.56 too.

 

[csp]

just turn the overdrive off, the reason for the button is specifically for when you are towing.

That won't do a thing for the OP in terms of getting it rolling from a dead stop, which is probably what he's after with the mention of a larger boat.

OP, there are shops that will build a complete third member and ship it to you for the install. Then you send your old 3rd back to them as a core. IIRC, one that does this is East Coast Gear Supply.

That won't help with the front axle however.

 

[D Farms]

if you are having problems towing then you are probably overloading the vehicle. get a sequoia instead or tundra. on the boat ramp you can use 4wd low and since you have the multimode it will be awd with no binding.

regearing will make your truck basically useless other than for starting from a stop at a streetlight.

since you seem to be open to the rediculous, maybe buy some smaller tires, 225/70r16 should give you more than enough torque. mount them on steelies and throw them on when you need them.

 

[biglar]

That won't do a thing for the OP in terms of getting it rolling from a dead stop, which is probably what he's after with the mention of a larger boat.

OP, there are shops that will build a complete third member and ship it to you for the install. Then you send your old 3rd back to them as a core. IIRC, one that does this is East Coast Gear Supply.

That won't help with the front axle however.

All good points above - and I do know the location and use of the O/D lockout and used it when towing my present boat.

FWIW - the new boat will be in the 4,000# range, fueled up and ready for the water and probably another ~1,000# for the trailer. Quite a load for the 3.4.

4.56 gears would give another 300 rpm at 60 mph in direct drive which I think would help a lot. A new gear set is less than $200 per end and used differentials with 4.10 gears will be much easier to find. (if the shop takes my old ones as a core, that's no problem, either) New bearings and seals would be a no-brainer.

Why won't that help with the front axle ??

I'll make some calls to the recommended shops this week and see what they say.

Thank you all for your input. I appreciate it. Lars.

 

[csp]

Someone that builds a complete third member for the rear axle means only the rear axle is available to you in a complete form, ready to bolt in.

That's what I mean by it doesn't do anything for the front axle. You're still on the hook to re-gear the front or find a shop to do it for you.

D Farms you sure come to some abrupt conclusions with very limited information available to you.

 

[D Farms]

I have a front diff and rear third member if you are interested. the gears are toast in the 3rd member but it will be redone anyways. if you have it done at a place like east coast gear i could send them directly to them saving any extra shipping costs.

 

[biglar]

Someone that builds a complete third member for the rear axle means only the rear axle is available to you in a complete form, ready to bolt in.

That's what I mean by it doesn't do anything for the front axle. You're still on the hook to re-gear the front or find a shop to do it for you.

D Farms you sure come to some abrupt conclusions with very limited information available to you.

Well, yah, I do figure on doing both axles. I agree with you about D Farms.

 

[biglar]

I have a front diff and rear third member if you are interested. the gears are toast in the 3rd member but it will be redone anyways. if you have it done at a place like east coast gear i could send them directly to them saving any extra shipping costs.

As I said earlier, this won't be happening for some time. You could send them here, tho'.

 

[jgue467]

You're fine with the gears ya' got - save the $ for the boat!.

Just avoid all the Florida mountain passes and all will be good!! :cowboy:

 

[csp]

jgue467 brings up an important point with regard to Florida. Your 4Runner is going to feel a low more powerful due to the elevation and increased presence of oxygen in the air.

I had to look up the elevation of Silver City NM and yep, it's up there leading to a noticeable difference in power. You might want to hold off until you get there and get the boat to spend any money on this.

 

[MN4runnerman]

Aren't our 3rd gens only rated to tow 3000 lbs? I thought I saw that somewhere. If I was OP I'd get a half ton or 3/4 pickup Chevy or ford(I know blasphemous) because they are usually cheaper than tundra and sequoia. I don't think anyone asked and I know you said how much the boat and trailer weighs but how long is it in feet? Just to give me an idea I guess.

 

[biglar]

You're fine with the gears ya' got - save the $ for the boat!.

Just avoid all the Florida mountain passes and all will be good!! :cowboy:

Aha....good point - forgot all about those Florida Mtns.

To help keep the record straight, I do have a transmission oil cooler and will install airbags to give the correct ride height. To answer another - I believe the tow capacity of my truck is 5,000#.

I spent the winter of 08/09 in Blythe, CA; almost sea level. It had a bit more power, but nothing to rave about.

 

[jgue467]

Power gain s/b noticeable, Silvercity is at 5895 or so, you should gain 3% with each 1000 ft drop so almost 18% more power at sea level.

I can see needing some extra power pulling it out of the boat ramp, perhaps you already use 4wd low for that? As someone else asked, how much is that new bad boy boat/trailer gonna weight in at? Luck and Enjoy! :cowboy:

 

[88toy4x4]

Aren't our 3rd gens only rated to tow 3000 lbs? I thought I saw that somewhere. If I was OP I'd get a half ton or 3/4 pickup Chevy or ford(I know blasphemous) because they are usually cheaper than tundra and sequoia. I don't think anyone asked and I know you said how much the boat and trailer weighs but how long is it in feet? Just to give me an idea I guess.

Just a FYI - the 2.7 4Runners are rated to tow up to 3500 lbs and the 3.4 4Runners are rated up to 5000lbs.

 

[MN4runnerman]

Just a FYI - the 2.7 4Runners are rated to tow up to 3500 lbs and the 3.4 4Runners are rated up to 5000lbs.

Thanks. I read it wrong and then checked my manual last night

 

[biglar]

Power gain s/b noticeable, Silvercity is at 5895 or so, you should gain 3% with each 1000 ft drop so almost 18% more power at sea level.

I can see needing some extra power pulling it out of the boat ramp, perhaps you already use 4wd low for that? As someone else asked, how much is that new bad boy boat/trailer gonna weight in at? Luck and Enjoy! :cowboy:

I didn't anticipate this much response and, with 1 exception, they were well thought and to the point.

Sitting down and writing it out gives a different slant to the thoughts and I'm carefully considering real life needs and uses....and possibly modifying my choice.

Still haven't called a gear shop, but I will and that will be interesting, too.

Most - almost all - of my towing will probably be within a 20 or 30 mile radius of home with occasional longer forays.

Thanks all for your interest and thoughts...........Lars.