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

[russ_]

My '96 is running 285's with 4.30 gears and it holds cruise just fine at 75 mph down the interstate. Of course it's also supercharged.:guitar3: But honestly, I think 4.30's and 285's would be a tolerable combination for a DD rig even without the supercharger.

 

[98piranha]

Anyone with 33x12.5 running 4.88s? How's the gas mileage? Increase or decrease? @ 60 mph how much rpm are you at?

 

[4ever4running]

Anyone with 33x12.5 running 4.88s? How's the gas mileage? Increase or decrease? @ 60 mph how much rpm are you at?

That's what I'm running. With my wheel/tire combo the gas mileage is always bad because they are really heavy and the aggressive tread definitely doesn't help. @60 mph my rpm is probably around about 2K, I don't really pay attention to it so if you need a dead accurate number I can check for you the next time I'm on the highway.

 

[white_n_slow]

I've been looking for this topic! (Hard to phrase a search to get good results).

For those of you running 35s/315s: would you recommend 4.88 or 5.29? What kind of driving do you do? Does it do OK in the mountains or on steep grades? Are you auto or 5-speed?

The truck is daily driven, but I'm not too concerned about MPG (I know the tires will throw MPG out the window anyway). Any input would be greatly appreciated

 

[blcktpgsr]

I've been looking for this topic! (Hard to phrase a search to get good results).

For those of you running 35s/315s: would you recommend 4.88 or 5.29? What kind of driving do you do? Does it do OK in the mountains or on steep grades? Are you auto or 5-speed?

The truck is daily driven, but I'm not too concerned about MPG (I know the tires will throw MPG out the window anyway). Any input would be greatly appreciated

I would go with 4.88's if you'll be driving on highways more than often. I have been very very satisfied with mine. Climbing up grades is not an issue. I can very well use my 4runner as my daily driver just because it's not that horrible on gas. Just saying. Mines also auto.

 

[xcmountain80]

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!

Umm ok, so make the engine and tranny work even harder......

 

[white_n_slow]

I would go with 4.88's if you'll be driving on highways more than often. I have been very very satisfied with mine. Climbing up grades is not an issue. I can very well use my 4runner as my daily driver just because it's not that horrible on gas. Just saying. Mines also auto.

Thanks for your input

I just ran it through the gear ratio calculator on Grim Jeeper (5-speed):

4.10 & 31" = 2613rpm at 70mph
4.88 & 35" = 2755rpm at 70mph
5.29 & 35" = 2986rpm at 70mph

Hmm, that's good. 4.88's are darn near close to stock, but a slight reduction in gearing which should help overcome some of the heft of the tires. For some reason I always assumed 4.88 were a better match to 33's, and 5.29s for 35's... Must be leftover remnants of 4-banger mini-truck in the back of my head. :nerd:

I guess it would be good to have the option to switch back and forth between 33 and 35 with the same gearing.

 

[runnyrunnerton]

Ive been kicking this around in my head for a while now. Mine is a DD. I snagged some sequoia rims and was going to re-gear to 4.88 's and throw new BFG 285/70r17's on it. Will this be too agressive a ratio? I need to be able to get to 80 and cruise more or less on the highway without blowing the motor. Is that a problem?

 

[nevada]

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!

if the gearing is wrong, its wrong. you wont make up enough power with the SC to make a difference. a lowered powered, correctly geared rig would make you look silly....

I've been looking for this topic! (Hard to phrase a search to get good results).

For those of you running 35s/315s: would you recommend 4.88 or 5.29? What kind of driving do you do? Does it do OK in the mountains or on steep grades? Are you auto or 5-speed?

The truck is daily driven, but I'm not too concerned about MPG (I know the tires will throw MPG out the window anyway). Any input would be greatly appreciated

5.29's. without a doubt.
it will be just a smidge over geared, but 35's are heavy, and the rig will be higher, the extra bit of gearing helps.

and it helps drastically once you get offroad.

Umm ok, so make the engine and tranny work even harder......

right. not a good choice.

 

[tinman]

Ive been kicking this around in my head for a while now. Mine is a DD. I snagged some sequoia rims and was going to re-gear to 4.88 's and throw new BFG 285/70r17's on it. Will this be too agressive a ratio? I need to be able to get to 80 and cruise more or less on the highway without blowing the motor. Is that a problem?

I've been kicking the idea around as well. And I'm running Tundra wheels with 285/70R17 BFG A/T's on them, (avatar pic) and have 4.10 gears. It accelerates ok (NOT good), but it drops gears on the interstate all the time, and I hate it for my transmission. If I regear, it will probably be to 4.88, since I dd my 4Runner & don't want to pull crazy RPM just cruising on the interstate.

To those of you running 315's or 35's with 4.88's... Does your Runner have to downshift to maintain speed? If so in what situations? Do you wish you had more gear? I see blcktpgsr said he's very happy with his...anyone else?

Thanks in advance...

 

[giguchan]

This is a very interesting thread... I'll be moving up to 33's by summers end and always wondered if it would be a good idea to look into re gearing. I drive mostly on the road with the occoasional trail or beach thrown in...
Thanks.

 

[Brian757]

I have 33's on my truck and have done the math.

In terms of Re-Gearing
PROs -
Quicker response from stopped position
More torque on hills and rocks
Less stress on engine on hill/rock environments

CONs -
Loss of fuel efficiency
Highway ride = Horrible
More stress on engine in high speed environments

For PROs, your gears will allow your truck to respond quicker from a red light, it will be able to spin those bigger tires in an offroad environment and will run harder at lower RPMs than smaller gears.

ALTHOUGH! as for cons, when your on the highway going 60 or 70, instead of your truck sitting at maybe 2000 RPMS, youll be at around 2500 to 3000. You will lose fuel efficiency because of constant throttle given to compensate for the speed loss.

So now, I beg the question, WHAT is YOUR 4runner intended for. If you spend 80% on pavement and 20% offroad, then regearing isnt a good idea.
THATS WITH 33's!

Now, with 35's, theres no escaping a re-gearing, I am going to tell you that now, you would be torturing your 4runner with factory gears and 35s.

Comprehendey?

 

[steezemcqueen]

Now, with 35's, theres no escaping a re-gearing, I am going to tell you that now, you would be torturing your 4runner with factory gears and 35s.

Disagree. I doubt i will ever regear until i blow up both my diffs at the same time

 

[Brian757]

Disagree. I doubt i will ever regear until i blow up both my diffs at the same time

What is your 4runner mainly used for?

 

[giguchan]

Hey all,
I thought as much... i think i'll stay with what i have gear wise. either way it's till an awesome thread.

A little extra Edumacation still goes a long way.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Or you could just run 31.5" tires like I do.

Currently running 265x75x16 BFT AT tires.

.

 

[giguchan]

Hey Brian,
i thought of that too.I figure if i dont go any bigger than 33's then i can forget all about re gearing... I run the same size tires you run now... was looking to go up a size.... if i find that it's not for be then i will get me my duratracs in the 265 size and call it ad day.My Toytec lift just arrived at the shop today so i have to make a move quick. it wont be installed untill next week anyhow..so i do have some time.
thanks for the reply Brian

 

[BrianSD_42]

Yep its just a thought. I probably have one of the zippyest non-SC 4Runners on the forum.

I've kept my tires at 31.5", + I have intake, exhaust, headers and low weight from aluminum skids and low weight bumpers.

 

[giguchan]

oh yeah?
Well guess what? My runner IS THE SLOWEST one on this board and it's owner is not too far behind it! We cant seem to get out of each others way.

I think an M3 might fix the slow bit... but that might be down the road as they say.

 

[4Running Daily]

I plan on running 285/75/r16, which is a 33", with a supercharger and 4.10 gears. I have a 5 speed though.