another towing/regear thread!

[denverunner]

After two weekends of towing a 2-place trailer + sleds up to Vail pass, I feel like I'm going to need to make some changes before the next season rolls around. The loss of power is painful and I feel like my truck is hanging by thread when I hit Floyd Hill or the stretch after Georgetown on I-70WB. I think the 4runner is more than capable for my situation (especially after the 13WL addition!), but I don't know, so I seek your advice!

I've read about 8 pages of threads that talk about regearing after purchasing larger tires, but nothing that speaks clearly to my situation. I don't plan on running oversized tires in the winter, (currently 265-70) and my truck is basically bone stock, with 4.10s. I have the 5spd trans and I can maintain a max of 50mph on the steeper grades in 3rd gear (@ 3000-3200 rpms and 7,000' to 10,000'), but it feels like my motor/trans is straining really bad

I guess my goal is to reduce said "strain" on the drivetrain and increase ease of acceleration. 4R isn't a DD so I'm not too concerned with sacrificing top end speed and I think I'd be comfortable seeing 65mph somewhere in the neighborhood of 3k rpms.

details

Trailer - single axle, 2 place triton trailer w/salt shields. 500-600lbs?
sleds - 1100-1200lbs (dry) combined.

 

[CoMarc]

I pull a 2000lb to 2200lb pop-up trailer up that same hwy, and get down to 40mph in third gear. I completely understand what you're talking about, but these 4runners aren't too gutless at all! I was thinking of re-gearing as well, but not sure what gears to use as this is a daily driver vehicle for me.

When you say you're pulling 1200lbs that doesn't sound like it should slow you down too terribly. 50mph isn't bad considering some of the other traffic that goes along there too. I've been also considering a supercharger as another means of getting a bit more power while climbing those hills.

I'm definitely interested in what you end up doing and how it improves the climb! Good luck!

Sent from my Android

 

[brian2sun]

After two weekends of towing a 2-place trailer + sleds up to Vail pass, I feel like I'm going to need to make some changes before the next season rolls around. The loss of power is painful and I feel like my truck is hanging by thread when I hit Floyd Hill or the stretch after Georgetown on I-70WB. I think the 4runner is more than capable for my situation (especially after the 13WL addition!), but I don't know, so I seek your advice!

I've read about 8 pages of threads that talk about regearing after purchasing larger tires, but nothing that speaks clearly to my situation. I don't plan on running oversized tires in the winter, (currently 265-70) and my truck is basically bone stock, with 4.10s. I have the 5spd trans and I can maintain a max of 50mph on the steeper grades in 3rd gear (@ 3000-3200 rpms and 7,000' to 10,000'), but it feels like my motor/trans is straining really bad

I guess my goal is to reduce said "strain" on the drivetrain and increase ease of acceleration. 4R isn't a DD so I'm not too concerned with sacrificing top end speed and I think I'd be comfortable seeing 65mph somewhere in the neighborhood of 3k rpms.

details

Trailer - single axle, 2 place triton trailer w/salt shields. 500-600lbs?
sleds - 1100-1200lbs (dry) combined.

4.56s would be a good gear ratio for you (it's basically the next step lower with aftermarket gears). It's not too low for your normal size tires, but it will make up for that trailer. When your not pulling a trailer, the 4.56s will still be a good strong ratio for normal driving. Just be aware, 4.56s will put your rpms about 400 higher than they are now at freeway speeds.

 

[denverunner]

Brian -perfect! That's the input I was looking for. I had trouble calculating/figuring how much different gears would affect my rpms. I think the 4.56s will be just right. I was pondering 4.88s, but after reading that 4.56s will net 400rpm increase, I think that 4.88s would be too extreme for 265/70.

CoMarc- overall, my 1200lb estimate is probably lower than it should be. I'm looking to set any landspeed records, I just want to regain the power I've lost, while easing the strain on my motor/tranny. s/c would be nice, but i personally don't have the funds for all of the extra fuel mods!

 

[brian2sun]

A 400 rpm increase was off the top of my head and is a high estimate. The gear charts I looked at said more around 300. So I would safely say expect a 3-400 rmp increase. Here's one chart:
Suspension Tech: What Size Tires?, Tire Size Chart