Geared People Running 33's-35's: ATTN

TFJ-4runner

TFJ-4runner

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I'm currently debating selling my current 4runner and getting a 3rd gen model again. One of the main reasons I sold my old third was because of the lack of power with bigger tires. The only thing is though not living at home, working, and full time school leaves little funds for mods. If I sell mine I'll have enough to set one up how I want and put some in the savings. So I'm asking anyone with gears and bigger tires to tell me road behaviors while daily driving. If you can set your cruise control at roughly 70 mph and it can hold it without downshifting. Is it tough to get up to speed and do you feel the money to regear is worth the cost after it's all said and done?
 
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I am running 33X12.5's with 4.88 and it drives pretty much like the stock steup (31's with 4.10s). I ran the 33's on the stock 4.10's for a while and it wasn't fun. I couldn't use the cruise control because the truck had a hard time maintaining speed and would downshift often which was really annoying. Since I regeared, I can easily maintain speed on the highway and use the cruise control knowing that it won't have to downshift every 30 seconds.

When I wear my 33's down, I am going to step up to 35's but keep the 4.88's. I know that a lot of guys run 5.29's with 35's and I'm sure I will lose some power/acceleration but hopefully it isn't too bad...Maybe someone else who is running 35's with 4.88's can chime in as to the driving habits.

If you want to run 35's you pretty much have to regear. I'm sure its possible to run 35's on the stock 4.10's but I would imagine that it is pretty miserable for DD purposes.

All said and done, I think regearing was definitely worth it. It is pretty expensive, but well worth it in the long run. It will prevent wear and tear on your engine and transmission and allows the truck to drive the way its supposed to.

Also, if you do decide to regear and ever want a locker, do it all at once. It will save you time and $$ in the long run.
 
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Agreeing with 4e4r. I have 35's and 4.88s. I would have done 5.29s if I weren't always on the highway. Handling is great. Put Cruise Control on at 70mph and drives straight, power is good on flat and up hills. The truck usually won't downshift going up hills unless it's a pretty large hill. I noticed prior to regear and 35s (33s and 4.10s) when going uphill, even with the truck downshifting I would still lose speed. I dont have that problem anymore. Offroad power is great, will turn the 35's easily.
 
I like this thread. I am certainly debating 35's, and with that I am definitely thinking of re-gearing. When people chime in on when they re-geared....can they please post where they got the parts, cost, and maybe a write up on it??
 
ameining said:
can they please post where they got the parts, cost, and maybe a write up on it??
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All my stuff came from East Coast Gear Supply. They have an amazing reputation and would recommend them to anyone.

That said, front diff was assembled by them, Nitro brand 4.88s and ARB Air Locker. Cost some $$$$$ lol. Rear gears are also Nitro 4.88s and a buddy and I put that in. Can't really give much detail on a write-up. It's one of those things that if you don't know what your doing, you should definitely not do it. Setting gears can be very difficult.
 
ameining said:
I like this thread. I am certainly debating 35's, and with that I am definitely thinking of re-gearing. When people chime in on when they re-geared....can they please post where they got the parts, cost, and maybe a write up on it??
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Like the thread as well.I just went to 33sand need something for DDriving. I drive about 200miles on weekends and cruise is a must.The stock gears are gona kill my trans with cruise.
On my old Gen2 with 3.0 and 33s it got so bad I sold it, should have re geared, NO power.

I'm gona look in to 4.88s for the future since this thread.
 
I am glad to know that I am not the only one with the constant downshifting under cruise control.

I have a question tho. Can I buy the rear diff from ECGS at first, swap that in and drive while I am saving up money for the front diff? Obviously I know I would be limited to 2wd, but would that work?
 
absalom said:
I am glad to know that I am not the only one with the constant downshifting under cruise control.

I have a question tho. Can I buy the rear diff from ECGS at first, swap that in and drive while I am saving up money for the front diff? Obviously I know I would be limited to 2wd, but would that work?
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Yes that would work.
 
ARKRWLR said:
All my stuff came from East Coast Gear Supply. They have an amazing reputation and would recommend them to anyone.

That said, front diff was assembled by them, Nitro brand 4.88s and ARB Air Locker. Cost some $$$$$ lol. Rear gears are also Nitro 4.88s and a buddy and I put that in. Can't really give much detail on a write-up. It's one of those things that if you don't know what your doing, you should definitely not do it. Setting gears can be very difficult.
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X2! I also got all of my parts from ECGS and I couldn't be happier with their customer service and quality.

After a lot of research, I ended up having ECGS do all the work and purchased the complete assembled diffs. I did this for a couple reasons:

1) I was not comfortable installing the gears myself.
2) The local shops I talked to quoted me $150-$200 just to install the gears, which didn't even inclue removing the diffs.
3) I would much rather have the professionals at ECGS install everything correctly.
4) ECGS has a warranty on their work which means that they are confident they install everything correctly and stand behind their work if anything goes wrong.
5) In the long run it actually ended up saving me money because I was able to drop and install the diffs myself (with the help of some friends).
 
absalom said:
I am glad to know that I am not the only one with the constant downshifting under cruise control.

I have a question tho. Can I buy the rear diff from ECGS at first, swap that in and drive while I am saving up money for the front diff? Obviously I know I would be limited to 2wd, but would that work?
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Yep, I did the exact same thing. I installed my rear diff but didn't have time to do the front so I drove with 4.88s in the rear and 4.10s in the front for a couple weeks until I could get the front diff swapped out. Just don't touch the 4WD button!!
 
I have 33's with the stock gears. When I drove it home down the free way which was mostly 75mph, and a few 55-65 spots, I set it in cruise everywhere and didn't notice it having a hard time at all. When I drive down the freeway it doesn't downshift at all, but the freeway here is relatively flat. The 100 mile drive from Phoenix to Tucson is rather boring, straight and not much of an elevation change.

Now that I think about it, my tires aren't too wide either. They are only 10.5 inches wide, so I guess weight could be a big factor there too.
 
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Just find a rig with factory 4.30s and roll 33s....for me personally, i feel like 35s are a bit too much for our trucks..If you need power buy the SC instead of gears. Price isn't THAT much of a difference, and more beneficial IMO. I've never driven a geared 4runner, but if it feels much like stock power, i'd much rather just get the SC. its a hoot!
 
^ I just did a quick google search without much success, but what years/trim had stock 4.30? Any truck with a fractory e-locker?
 
Steve240 said:
^ I just did a quick google search without much success, but what years/trim had stock 4.30? Any truck with a fractory e-locker?
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4.30's only came with an e-locker and typically exclusive to automatics. Most 5-speeds have 4.10 even with a locker. Just find one from a Limited and you should be good to go.
 
WOW, I did not expect so much positive feedback from everyone. We for sure have the best fan base out of any community. To be more in depth, I've had a 96 with 33x12.50 and a 2000 with 35x12.50. It was not so bad with the 33's but the 35 were pushing it I think for the factory 4:30 gear ratio. I wouldn't plan to go bigger than a 33 this time around unless I find a cheap beater but how much did gas consumption change once you guys re-geared your rigs?

Rep given to all who have help answer my questions
 
I also went with the ECGS. I got 4.56 with lockers front and rear. The fully assembled thirds came in and in less than a day i had both the front and rear swapped out and the ones i replaced were on their way back so i could get my core charge back.
I am running 33x10.5 with the 4.56 gears and as a daily driver i cant complain at all. I feel it accelerates the same or a little better than stock. At 70mph i am right at 2500rpm. If it were not my daily driver i would probably have gotten 4.88 or better.
 
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