gear ratios?
- Thread starter rcmsdc
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gclark14
New member
rcmsdc
New member
well my main reason is because my front diff is shot and rebuilding cost as much to re-gear. honestly I'm in the dark on gear ratios. ive got a buddy who went 4.88 and loves it. plus im having trouble finding a new diff geared in 4.10
rcmsdc
New member
if I can find a front diff in 4.10 id be happy. that would be my cheapest route. correct me if I'm wrong but is the diff for the 01-02 runners different then the 96-00 because I found one on ebay for 96-00 for like 200$ with 147k miles . but it looks different than my 02 diff especially the ADD system, is that something i can just swap over ?
Rebuilding one diff will still be cheaper than rebuilding two, even if you need a new ring and pinion. As far as how the years are compatible I don't know. When it comes to stuff like diffs, engines and transmissions I usually go rebuild because it's a lot of money in labor to lose because I don't know how to inspect them myself and if I pay somebody to put a used part in I'm SOL if it's bad. Around here most people want $450 or so for a rear 8" with E-locker and I can have mine pulled and rebuilt with new bearings for $800, and most of that is labor. I've had to pay for labor twice because I tried to save coin on the parts, it sucks lol
IBallEngineer
New member
No one can tell you if 4.88 are good or bad. How you use it will dictate if you should do it or not. If it's a daily driver, probably not the best choice with a tire that small. If you use it for wheeling most of the time, you'll enjoy the benefits there. If you enjoy flying up the 15 to Vegas, or just to get out of the IE, then 4.88 gearing would be a really bad idea.
Personally I wouldn't use 4.88 with anything less than 33" tires, I have 35's on my cruiser with 4.88 and they served me well. Although now that I have the 4runner as my DD, I wish I had steeper gearing.
The chart posted above is a good general guide. Use it!
Personally I wouldn't use 4.88 with anything less than 33" tires, I have 35's on my cruiser with 4.88 and they served me well. Although now that I have the 4runner as my DD, I wish I had steeper gearing.
The chart posted above is a good general guide. Use it!
KidVermicious
New member
Gear Ratio Calculator
http://www.car-part.com/
What are you doing with your truck? What do you think higher gearing will do for you?
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rcmsdc
New member
I love the info provided. running 4.10's looks like I got the best for on and off road. with more research I would completely rule out 4.88's and go with 4.56"s. I do a lot of off-roading not so much crawling but more so hauling @$$ or trying to anyway.:driving: so I wanted more power off the line. so according to the chart "IF" I went up a notch on my gears 4.56 would be more ideal. if I cant find a good 4.10 diff for cheap ill go ahead and take advantage of this breakdown and upgrade the runner with new gear ratio and a rear locker:brick:
JayRolla
New member
If sticking with 31" tires than 4.30 would be the best in your situation. But like stated if you switch front you must also rebuild the rear to match. That gets expensive.
I've been searching for posts that reference 265/75/16's and 4.88 gearing. I'm running 285's right now. but I'm considering a tire change back to a 265 in the future. The truck is a grocery getter/camping rig. I've been looking at the gear ratio changes and the difference between 285/75/16's and a 265/75/16 is only 100 rpms more at 75 mph. No one seems to recommend the 4.88 with a 265 though.
I've got a supercharger and shift kit going on in the next 2 to 3 weeks. I'm wondering what kind of fun I would have if I went back to a 46 pound 265/75/16 duratrac from heavy 33's??
Doc, Did you ever feel like you were annoyed with the higher revving engine on the highway. It seems like it would make the truck even more fun.
Doc2012
Senior Member
I didn't mind it at all. No issues.
That was a while ago, so I can remember the exact numbers.
I'll probably get a used set to get the truck inspected and I'll report back.
Thanks for the feedback. The idea of 265/75's and 4.88's is really starting to appeal to me.
Happybeach58
New member
It depends on how you drive. If you do alot of slow off roadng with steep hills or ro rocks go for it. If you mainly drive on trails and highway don't. The only thing you'll do is suck more fuel and not maintain highway speeds.
