gearing for expedition

[Jaysen4runner]

I'm not new to gearing but just would like to know from some of ya what best for expedition. I do rock crawling so I know a bit about gearing, but want some of ya expedition guy opinion. I was thinking about 4.88 but running as a Dd on and off road, up and down the desert 4.88 maybe be too much. So I figure 4.56 maybe just right. What some of you guys think?

 

[Jaysen4runner]

So sorry guys, it's for my 3gen 4runner. Got rear air locker in the rear hopefully.up front one day. But 285s maybe the max on this build. Not looking to really crawl in this, just cruise thru desert and on trips a bit overall I guess

 

[A.Wilson013]

I made it in before everyone says 4.88 =)

I'd go 4.56 but only because sooooo much of my travel on long trips is on the freeway.

 

[Doc2012]

Depends on tire size.

If the MAX for your build is going to be 33s, then go with the 4.56.

If you're going bigger, go with the 4.88.

FWIW, I've been runnning 4.88. Started off with 265/75/16s, jumped to 37s, and now I'm running 35s, and have not had an issue.

 

[Aznwolf118]

I have 4.56 and 33's probably would have stayed at 4.10
The 4runner is plenty capable.

But keep in mind, mines has a supercharger so it might be a bit different. The extra power from the charger and the change in gas milage would have kept me at 4.10 and I only threw in gears cause I put in arbs front and rear so it was cheaper and easier to have it done once.

Ooh on a side note, I haven't had to turn on my front locker yet off road, but it nice to know I have one

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Expedition rigs (or overlanding/backcountry exploration rigs) are built (typically) for endurance, reliability, economy, and comfort (who wants to spend 5 days driving in an open cab rock-crawling buggy?). As such, a lot of that driving will be on paved or improved roads of some kind, and usually very little hard-core 'wheeling' stuff. Given that, I would stick with 4.10 or 4.56 (at the most) gearing. I have 4.10 gears, run 32" tires (265/75), a loaded rig (probably weighs in at 400-500 lbs over stock, maybe more) and I've never had any issues with lack of power (other than the usual 'this thing is a brick not a race car' issues). If you run high altitude or steep mountain roads, lower gears may help, but I'd stick with stock gearing and spend the money on something else (like a dual battery setup to run the fridge ).

 

[Jaysen4runner]

Ok Thanks guys. I fugue maybe 4.56 was the best option on what I was setting it up for.