529s?

[tj_trail]

I am looking at replacing the gearing in my 89 4Runner. I have the 4x4 with 31" tires and the 3.slo V6. My Runner is BEYOND slow. I literally get passed by dumptrucks and minivans going up hills. I don't know what the gearing in it is right now, I suppose that'd be a good place to start. But I do have a tow package on it. My roommate thinks that the gearing on it is what is causing the lack of power. It's especially bad in the first two gears. I can literally outrun my 4Runner on foot in first gear.

Any advice out there for gearing? I read about a guy putting in 529 gears and he said it was a HUGE improvement.

I don't even know what the different gears are for and how they affect your power and or torque and which gears are better for which situations.

 

[n8buddy]

if your truck is as slow as you say it is, i think you have more problems than incorrect gearing.

 

[tj_trail]

Ya, I'm afraid your right. I may have been exaggerating a little bit, but it is VERY slow. Especially uphill. It is more or less dead uphill.

 

[fourwd1]

I think there may be another problem also.

31's are not a tall enough tire to rob that much power. People run 33's with the 4 cyl engine all the time.

Since you notice it most going uphill, and the truck is 20 yrs old, there's a strong possibility your cat conv is clogged. I've had it happen on 2 of my trucks, same symptoms.

As far as regearing, first find out what gears you have now. Get the axle code of the VIN tag on the drivers doorjamb.
Also, what tranny, manual or auto?

And for 31's, 4:56 is about right, 5:29 is waay to low.
5:29 is what I run with my 36's.

 

[tj_trail]

Thanks for the tip about the Cat conv, I'll get that checked out this week. I'm also getting about 13 mpg right now, so there may be something else going on too, not sure. She seems to run well though. I tried looking up the axle tag on the VIN door jam, but apparently the PO decided that needed to go??? I guess I can just call the local yota dealership here and find out what it was geared with from the factory. I'm guessing its got 4.56 since its the V6 3.slo and its an automatic. However, if it does have the 4.10s I'm sure that can't be helping my cause. I'll let u know what I find out. I think I'm going to switch it over to a manual this summer after I finish the interior.

 

[Alabama4Runner]

Don't take my word for it but I thought you would have had 4.30 gearing with the automatic and V6.