700 mile road trip with 35s and stock gearing

[cashmoney]

You could run 44's and not re-gear. It'll suck something awful to drive but you don't have to do it. But there is definitely a reason people say you should regear after 35's. The power loss is pretty large and the stress put on the rest of the drivetrain is significant.

But like you said, you don't have to do it.

 

[diponyou]

You could run 44's and not re-gear. It'll suck something awful to drive but you don't have to do it. But there is definitely a reason people say you should regear after 35's. The power loss is pretty large and the stress put on the rest of the drivetrain is significant.

But like you said, you don't have to do it.

This is also going to be subjective. I went from stock tires to 285s then to 315s and can tell you there isn't a "pretty large" power loss. However I do not drive my 4runner fast and I have not noticed substantial power losses in ordinary driving.

I'd hope you have some actual experience with this and aren't just regurgitating what you've read online. That is exactly what I was trying to get away from by starting this post.

 

[cashmoney]

Yup. Going to 265/75s mine can no longer maintain 70-80mph in OD with 4.10s.

 

[JayRolla]

This is also going to be subjective. I went from stock tires to 285s then to 315s and can tell you there isn't a "pretty large" power loss. However I do not drive my 4runner fast and I have not noticed substantial power losses in ordinary driving.

I'd hope you have some actual experience with this and aren't just regurgitating what you've read online. That is exactly what I was trying to get away from by starting this post.

There is no issue in city. Its when trying to maintain 75-80mph on most flat interstates and trying to maintain 50-60mph on mountain passes.

Thats the only time I notice my heavy 305's. I could imagine 35's would make it way worse.

 

[diponyou]

There is no issue in city. Its when trying to maintain 75-80mph on most flat interstates and trying to maintain 50-60mph on mountain passes.

Thats the only time I notice my heavy 305's. I could imagine 35's would make it way worse.

I had zero issues with flat interstate stretches. The truck did beautifully. On the climbs I just got it out of overdrive and tried not to lose momentum (you should be doing that regardless of tire size).
The main issue with the hills were the really steep parts and when some idiot was in the fast lane going 50mph making everyone go around him and get some speed going.


Again, 99% of my driving is flat city/highway driving. Very few significant hills. And it is absolutely, without a doubt, still very fun to drive.

 

[JayRolla]

I had zero issues with flat interstate stretches. The truck did beautifully. On the climbs I just got it out of overdrive and tried not to lose momentum (you should be doing that regardless of tire size).
The main issue with the hills were the really steep parts and when some idiot was in the fast lane going 50mph making everyone go around him and get some speed going.


Again, 99% of my driving is flat city/highway driving. Very few significant hills. And it is absolutely, without a doubt, still very fun to drive.

Yea its more fun because your on 35's!!!!!

I want to make the jump so bad. But like you said you are driving city and flat roads. In CO there is no flat highway unless you go east. That must be the difference. I can go to Denver from Springs with no issue, but on the way back its a small climb. It looks flat but truck just works in 2nd and 3rd to stay at 75mph. Cruise control doesnt even work anymore. Thats where I really noticed when switching tires. Cruise control is so confused now. I can keep her between 60-65mph not to bad on flat highways.

 

[diponyou]

Yup. Going to 265/75s mine can no longer maintain 70-80mph in OD with 4.10s.

I can't comment on your setup because I do not have 4.10s but I can say that I had absolutely no issue going 75-80mph with 315s and 4.30s. In fact I was going around 77mph for most of the trip. Zero issues.

You might have some other issues holding you back.

 

[diponyou]

Yea its more fun because your on 35's!!!!!

I want to make the jump so bad. But like you said you are driving city and flat roads. In CO there is no flat highway unless you go east. That must be the difference. I can go to Denver from Springs with no issue, but on the way back its a small climb. It looks flat but truck just works in 2nd and 3rd to stay at 75mph. Cruise control doesnt even work anymore. Thats where I really noticed when switching tires. Cruise control is so confused now. I can keep her between 60-65mph not to bad on flat highways.

haha hell yeah it's more fun with 35s, not to mention these trucks look so much better with 35s IMHO.

I'd probably say you need gears in your situation. But you can always go 35" and test it out to see for sure.

 

[JayRolla]

haha hell yeah it's more fun with 35s, not to mention these trucks look so much better with 35s IMHO.

I'd probably say you need gears in your situation. But you can always go 35" and test it out to see for sure.

Yeah its just a year or two at most with how much I drive. And I 1000 percent agree that 35's are just perfect for the look of these trucks. And offroad makes it so much easier.

 

[Oprah]

I am sure what tires you decided to go with and what your factory gearing are going to play a large role as well. I just so happen to have 4.30s so my gearing isn't terrible. I was at about 2700rpm at 77mph or so.

Is this referring to your current situation with 35's, or before you had 35's?

 

[diponyou]

Is this referring to your current situation with 35's, or before you had 35's?

Current situation. Those numbers might be off 1 mph or 2 and the rpm might be +/- 100.
My speedo isn't current so I was going off a gps speedo.

 

[Oprah]

Current situation. Those numbers might be off 1 mph or 2 and the rpm might be +/- 100.
My speedo isn't current so I was going off a gps speedo.

Something doesn't seem right there. Using a gear calculator, I came up with you'd have to be going 85mph just to hit ~2500rpm when in OD with 35's, 4.30 gears, and using .705 as the OD ratio.

Unless your tranny never even locks up anymore because it's working to push those 35's everywhere :lmao:

 

[diponyou]

I can verify the exact mph and rpms here shortly. I could very well have been off with what I said.

And the tranny definitely locked up.

Something doesn't seem right there. Using a gear calculator, I came up with you'd have to be going 85mph just to hit ~2500rpm when in OD with 35's, 4.30 gears, and using .705 as the OD ratio.

Unless your tranny never even locks up anymore because it's working to push those 35's everywhere :lmao:

 

[Konkordmusk]

This is also going to be subjective. I went from stock tires to 285s then to 315s and can tell you there isn't a "pretty large" power loss. However I do not drive my 4runner fast and I have not noticed substantial power losses in ordinary driving.

I'd hope you have some actual experience with this and aren't just regurgitating what you've read online. That is exactly what I was trying to get away from by starting this post.

I have direct experience with driving with true 35" s on stock gearing and 5.29's. I disagree that the power loss is not substantial. Once I regeared, it felt like a whole new truck. I made the drive to LA on stock gears, picked up a cbi rear bumper for [MENTION=53337]SCRunner12[/MENTION] and came back and did 17mpg. Going up the grapevine was like pulling teeth. I was stuck in the right lane (not the truck only lane) watching as beat up little corollas and whatnot pass me up.
Then, I made the drive again with 5.29s and all of a sudden I was passing everyone up with no gear shifting. Just stayed in one gear, cruises up. I made 19mpg that trip. My 4runner shifts much less. My transmission fluid temperature is, on average, 7-8 degrees cooler on the same hills I take getting to and from work.
The only downside to regearing so tall is increased rpm at freeway speeds. However, it puts me much closer to the peak of a 5vz-fe powerband. I slightly increase pressure on my gas pedal and I accelerate so smooth and easy.

I did my own diff setup. Total cost for rear re-gear was 440$ and front was 400$. I did not use setup bearings, just used the old ones and used the new bearings for final assembly. Price includes gear oil twice over for the break in period.
In my educated opinion, you are missing out.

 

[diponyou]

Something doesn't seem right there. Using a gear calculator, I came up with you'd have to be going 85mph just to hit ~2500rpm when in OD with 35's, 4.30 gears, and using .705 as the OD ratio.

Unless your tranny never even locks up anymore because it's working to push those 35's everywhere :lmao:

Ok just double checked. I am at 2400 +/- 50rpm at 75-78mph with the trans locked up.

And besides the hills and passing the trans was locked up the entire drive.

I have direct experience with driving with true 35" s on stock gearing and 5.29's. I disagree that the power loss is not substantial. Once I regeared, it felt like a whole new truck. I made the drive to LA on stock gears, picked up a cbi rear bumper for [MENTION=53337]SCRunner12[/MENTION] and came back and did 17mpg. Going up the grapevine was like pulling teeth. I was stuck in the right lane (not the truck only lane) watching as beat up little corollas and whatnot pass me up.
Then, I made the drive again with 5.29s and all of a sudden I was passing everyone up with no gear shifting. Just stayed in one gear, cruises up. I made 19mpg that trip. My 4runner shifts much less. My transmission fluid temperature is, on average, 7-8 degrees cooler on the same hills I take getting to and from work.
The only downside to regearing so tall is increased rpm at freeway speeds. However, it puts me much closer to the peak of a 5vz-fe powerband. I slightly increase pressure on my gas pedal and I accelerate so smooth and easy.

I did my own diff setup. Total cost for rear re-gear was 440$ and front was 400$. I did not use setup bearings, just used the old ones and used the new bearings for final assembly. Price includes gear oil twice over for the break in period.
In my educated opinion, you are missing out.

Yeah good stuff. If you are making that drive frequently then its definitely a good choice to re-gear. I wouldn't want to have to do that frequently that is for sure.
I might make that drive once every few years so for my case it is not as necessary.

I wasn't trying to say one way is better than the other I was simply saying that you can successfully rock 35s with stock gearing depending on your driving habits and location. If someone offered my some 4.88s for free I'd gladly take em. :hat:

 

[cashmoney]

5.29's? That seems steep even for 35's. I was thinking 4.88's would be pretty solid for 35's.

 

[JayRolla]

5.29's? That seems steep even for 35's. I was thinking 4.88's would be pretty solid for 35's.

5.29's IMO would be perfect for 35's. Even more so living in CO. Now if driving on flats only 4.88's would be fine. But from research a lot of 35" tires guys wish they would ahve gone 5.29's. Never heard anyone on 35's and 5.29's complain.

 

[diponyou]

Never heard anyone on 35's and 5.29's complain.

I think that might be a pride issue lol. I know if I shelled out the coin for gears and didn't like it I'd be trying to convince myself they were ok. :tape2:

 

[JayRolla]

I think that might be a pride issue lol. I know if I shelled out the coin for gears and didn't like it I'd be trying to convince myself they were ok. :tape2:

No its not, they love them, truck is like night and day difference, keeps you in power band all the time when climbing passes. Its proven to work. Why do so many that go 4.88's regear to 5.29's if it was a pride thing. They shelled out tons of money.

Everyone always knows you can run any tire and still drive the truck. Staying in the power band is another story. Like just stated it brings the truck back to life.

IMO if you swapped out your gears, you would be so surprised you would have a new thread titled "Cant believe I ran 35's on stock gears for so long"

 

[diponyou]

No its not, they love them, truck is like night and day difference, keeps you in power band all the time when climbing passes. Its proven to work. Why do so many that go 4.88's regear to 5.29's if it was a pride thing. They shelled out tons of money.

Everyone always knows you can run any tire and still drive the truck. Staying in the power band is another story. Like just stated it brings the truck back to life.

IMO if you swapped out your gears, you would be so surprised you would have a new thread titled "Cant believe I ran 35's on stock gears for so long"

lol I was just joking. Believe me if money was no object I would re-gear.

I just wanted to show that you can go to 35s and still have a very driveable 4runner. I wasn't saying one way was better than the other.

And believe me I will post up when/if I re-gear