5.29 gears too steep for 33s?

sam24th

sam24th

New member
So I am looking at regearing my old pickup truck, yes I know htis is a 4runner forum, but I have an 84 pickup which is basically the same as a 84 4runner. Anyhow it has factory gearing 4.10 and I am currently running 33s. Its a 22R with 5 speed. I have a chance to get a set of 5.29 gears for a good price a lot cheaper than 4.88. Do you guys think 5.29 is going to be too steep for my 4cy and 33s? I have 5.29s on my 4runner with 35s and they seem a bit steep. Anyone with experience or advice? And no I do not plan on going bigger on tire size.
 
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The common wisdom is that with a 22RE/5speed, you want 4.88s with 33 inch tires. I disagree, I love my 5.29s and 33s and my speedo is dead on. I cruise at 75MPH/3300ish RPM, and I don't generally need to downshift for hills.

In my experience, the 22RE loves to rev high, and 5.29s with 33 inch tires keeps it right in the power band. I say do it. Always better to have too much gear than not enough, no?
 
Just what I wanted to hear really. Right now on freeway Im stuck in 4th gear. The truck doesnt even see 75mph and 5th gear is almost non existent unless I have a huge tail wind and going downhill.
 
KidVermicious said:
The common wisdom is that with a 22RE/5speed, you want 4.88s with 33 inch tires. I disagree, I love my 5.29s and 33s and my speedo is dead on. I cruise at 75MPH/3300ish RPM, and I don't generally need to downshift for hills.

In my experience, the 22RE loves to rev high, and 5.29s with 33 inch tires keeps it right in the power band. I say do it. Always better to have too much gear than not enough, no?
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im one that would say 4.88's for 33's, and 5.29's for 35's. especially with a 5speed. with an auto, then yes, I could go see the 5.29's working..but I still think they are too low.

I think technically, 5.29s/35's is just a bit too low, but with the added rolling resistance, and weight etc, it works out to be just about perfect.




OP, what will you be using the truck for? if its a wheeling rig, then yes, take the 5.29s. if mostly a street rig, I think its going to be too low, and annoying. not too mention it will use more fuel, since the engine is spinning faster than it needs to.
 
The truck is used mostly for wheeling and camping. I drive it maybe twice a week just get it going. It is also loaded with a ton of gear, bumpers, sliders, winch, camper top, tire carrier, roof rack etc. Its a heavy SOB.
 
I agree with Kevin. Go with the 5.29s, especially if its a heavy som*****. I have an '85 p/up with 290K on it. I too load it up and with 33s on steel rims, I never see 5th. 22re run cooler when u let 'em rev.
 
sam24th said:
The truck is used mostly for wheeling and camping. I drive it maybe twice a week just get it going. It is also loaded with a ton of gear, bumpers, sliders, winch, camper top, tire carrier, roof rack etc. Its a heavy SOB.
Click to expand...

then yes, go with the 5.29's. you will really like it offroad.
 
So the consensus is 4.88 for 3.0 with an automatic? I'm also needing to regear. It takes forever to get to 70 mph with the 33s.

Opinions? Thanks guys!

:boink:
 
RiFF RaFF said:
So the consensus is 4.88 for 3.0 with an automatic? I'm also needing to regear. It takes forever to get to 70 mph with the 33s.

Opinions? Thanks guys!

:boink:
Click to expand...

Play with this, Riff: Gear Ratio Calculator

Assuming the same tire size and roughly the same transmission ratios, which are going to be close but not exact, you're going to be turning about the same RPM I am. Things to consider: 1) while your 3.0 technically makes about 30 more horsepower than my 2.4, it's actually got 10 ft/lbs less torque at 3400 RPM, which plays a big role in acceleration, and 2) your automatic transmission induces a fair amount of drivetrain loss until the torque converter locks up at freeway speeds, which also plays a huge role in acceleration.

Check out the gear calculator. Find the gearing that gives you the highest RPM numbers you're comfortable with at your preferred cruising speed and go with that. 4.88 will be a damn lot better than stock, but I'm betting you'll be happiest with 5.29s too.

3400 RPM sounds like a lot and makes you think you're going to wind your engine out, but it's not that bad once you settle into the cruise and it's right where your max torque is. Use the powerband the Toyota gods gave you. :)
 
I believe most of us are recommending 5.29s with 33s and 22re's that are heavily loaded. However, u have a 3.0 with an auto, so maybe 4.88s will be ok. Idk, I guess it would depend on how u plan on using it. Mainly DD and long road trips, then 4.88s. How did she perform loaded down when u went to Moab?
 
My 85' with 5.29s and 33's were too short. Mine are daily driven 100+miles a day though. My current 4runner has 33s and 4.88s and carries enough for any trail repair, including fluids, and I'm happy with my 4.88s. 5000 mile roadtrips would get old in a hurry running 5.29s on 33s :nod:
For your purpose mainly trail/camping with some mixed in street driving, you'd be fine with 5.29s.
 
5.29's are better suited for a 35-36" tire with a 5 Spd.
I run them with my 22R/5 spd/36's and the speedo is dead on
I ran them with 33's for a few weeks while the 36's were on order and didn't like it.

But since you can get them for a good price and the vehicle is not a DD it is probably worth doing.
 
RiFF RaFF said:
So the consensus is 4.88 for 3.0 with an automatic? I'm also needing to regear. It takes forever to get to 70 mph with the 33s.

Opinions? Thanks guys!

:boink:
Click to expand...

I am running 4:88's with an automatic and I like it. The auto's always want to shift too soon so the trick (at least for me) is to manually shift the tranny... and leave the overdrive off in town.
 
RiFF RaFF said:
So the consensus is 4.88 for 3.0 with an automatic? I'm also needing to regear. It takes forever to get to 70 mph with the 33s.

Opinions? Thanks guys!

:boink:
Click to expand...

With an auto trans you want to go one step lower in gearing.
So where 5 spd/33's would typically go with 4.88 ratio, with an auto you'd go 5.29, the next lower ratio.
 
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