Another re-gearing thread, just not finding the info I seek.

psraff

psraff

New member
Hey Everyone,

I needed to post this and see if people who've done it can clear things up for me..... I've searched and read for two days now and this area really seems to have many variables. So, I'll give you all the info I have and the country I'm in and help me see if 4.88 is the way to go.

'99, 3.4L Auto with E-Locker (4.30, I'm 99.9999% Sure. Did the Tire turn test with 20 rotations, and reading lots of threads).
Everyday weight with 1/2 tank of gas: 4672 (It will get heavier)
Camping weight with people and gear: ~5500
Tires: 255-85/16 (narrow 33") - May go wider, but doubt ever 35"
Altitude: 0-2000' so far
Daily Driver - But have Company Van so it parks in the shop 80% of the week.
Weekends - Around Town on errands
Trips - We have no freeways (so to speak). All highway 45 - 65 mpg. I hit 75 if I pass someone only.
Offroad - Mountain roads, Trails. Now I have winch so I will branch out more.

Current Driving Conditions.
I drive with the O/D on most all times. Whenever I go up anything more then a basic hill I'll take it out of O/D so it doesn't bog down and to save the temps. Most vehicles will catch up to me easily unless I push it and it downshifts. Going into the pass between here and Anchorage I have to pay attention to driving a lot so I don't get the constant upshift downshift going on.

I don't really care about gas mileage. It is what it is. But I've built this to EXPLORE. So that means long trips, Highway and Dirt, Trails, and Off Road. No Mud Bogging, No Rock Climbing.
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Depending on the thread, I lean towards the 4.88, but then on another it seems like the 5.27 is the way to go.... I've read several places that the Auto with 5.27 is like the 5 speed with 4.88... To be honest, I'm right at about 60% sure that 4.88 is the way to go for me (mostly due to tire size), but then I start thinking about current and future weight, and I never drive this over 70 mph under normal driving conditions (as stated, only if I pass which isn't very often) so then I start thinking about 5.27.

What I would hope to do is get prebuilt package from ECGS and swap them out. Main factor will be shipping costs. Even with shipping I would think that is cheaper then having a local shop upgrade my current setup.. I've never dealt with a local axel \ gear shop here so I have no idea if I can trust them. I'm just in the research mode right now. This wouldn't happen even this year. But with upgrades like this, I like to know what the hell I'm doing. I'm super OCD that way.

Can I get people who have travels this same path give me their advise? Much appreciated!!! Please ask any questions to help confirm the right course of action.
 
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Just a little bump. 59 views and no replies. Hate to get this thread buried and lost. This might be my next big upgrade.
 
Cliffnotes? Seems that there's a lot of non-issue related info there. I didn't read it all.
 
csp said:
Cliffnotes? Seems that there's a lot of non-issue related info there. I didn't read it all.
Click to expand...

How so? And I'm honestly asking, not trying to be a smart ass.

In all the threads I've gone through on several sites or articles, each item had been asked or addressed. Before this, I only thought it was tire size (and weight) that really mattered. Now, it's 5-speed vs. Auto, Tire Size, Vehicle Weight, Even Altitude (which makes since). So I wanted to put as much info in there as I could because each area has been brought up at one point or another. Many people are asking what RPMs at 70 or even 80 MPH... I wanted to post our road conditions up here how I drive to clarify that area. That way people who answer won't be stating irrelevant information.

Trust me, I'm a huge fan of just "Who, What, Where, When, and How". I have to tell my daughter that all the time.... But I thought this would be a case where people would need all details upfront so they can make an informed opinion.


Or am I just overthinking this? I've read so many threads that were "I regeared and got X.XX. Sure wish I would've went with Y.YY.
 
psraff said:
How so? And I'm honestly asking, not trying to be a smart ass.

In all the threads I've gone through on several sites or articles, each item had been asked or addressed. Before this, I only thought it was tire size (and weight) that really mattered. Now, it's 5-speed vs. Auto, Tire Size, Vehicle Weight, Even Altitude (which makes since). So I wanted to put as much info in there as I could because each area has been brought up at one point or another. Many people are asking what RPMs at 70 or even 80 MPH... I wanted to post our road conditions up here how I drive to clarify that area. That way people who answer won't be stating irrelevant information.

Trust me, I'm a huge fan of just "Who, What, Where, When, and How". I have to tell my daughter that all the time.... But I thought this would be a case where people would need all details upfront so they can make an informed opinion.


Or am I just overthinking this? I've read so many threads that were "I regeared and got X.XX. Sure wish I would've went with Y.YY.
Click to expand...
if you have 4.30's now, I would recommend going straight to 5.29's. going to 4.88's wont be much of a difference from the 4.30's, hardly worth the price.

since you stated you don't do a lot of high speed, or interstate type driving, the lower gearing will be much more beneficial to you all the rest of the time. especially with the extra weight of all the gear. you will also be set, and ready if you decide to step up to 35's(most seem to eventually do that).
 
My opinion would be 5.29 with your current 4runner. Check-out Expeditions West Tacoma. That truck is running 255/85/16 tires, an automatic and 5.29 gears. I would also go with he local shop for the re-gearing. Setting up a differential is not difficult and the local guy would be more than competent.

I currently am running 255/85/15 with a manual transmission and 4.88 gears. I like the set-up. If I had an automatic, I would have gone with 5.29 gears.
 
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Bandit Runner said:
I vote 5.29's also. That's what I have, and I'm definitely glad I didn't go 4.88's with the auto trans. I heard it is better to have too much gearing than not enough anyway. I got my diffs from ECGS and they were great to deal with.

If you haven't seen it, here is my thread for when I asked about gearing. Some good info in there:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/137448-bandit-runner-wants-re-gear-his-diffs.html

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Damn!!! that was perfect! Many Thanks!!! And everyone states 5.29 gears. I like it so far. I emailed ECGS today regarding shipping to AK so we will see how it looks on that end. I'll start searching for local shops for quality work. When the time comes, I will make sure I get all the seals and barrings as well. I knew that I would, just didn't know which ones. (basically.. all of them!) lol

It's also good that I saw (it looked like) someone from ECGS on this forum as well. That's reassuring. I know that was several years ago, but still.

Thanks again, everyone!
 
Yeah my first thoughts were 456 or 488. Your only planning on running light weight 33" tires. Save the 529 for 35" tires. You still want to have decent gas mileage. The overland exposition guys load their rigs up with supplies and are using 456 gears.
 
I absolutely love my auto with 5:29s and 35s...I thought long and hard about it also...Firstly, 5:29s will prepare you for lots of future weight, extreme duty, or mods. Secondly, If you go with 5:29s and find it to be too much gear, When you need new tires, just get bigger ones...Problem solved.
 
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