Opinions on Performance Final Gear Ratio

[gamefreakgc]

Looking for some thoughts on final drive ratio. I have a A340E auto in my 4Runner. The first gear is just way too big. I've known that for a while but driving my friend's manual has only accentuated that fact. This it what it looks like with stock 4.10 gearing at redline in each gear with stock sized tires:

1st: 43 MPH (Slow)
2nd: 78 MPH (Seriously Toyota)
3rd: 120 MPH (Speed governor is at 110!! Again, Toyota??)
4th: Irrelevant
Cruising at 70 MPH is 2200 RPM

This is what 4.88 gears would look like:
1st: 36 MPH
2nd: 66 MPH
3rd: 101 MPH
4th: 142 (still irrelevant)
Cruising at 70 MPH is 2660 RPM

This is what 5.29 gears would look like:
1st: 33 MPH (still taller than a 5 speed)
2nd: 61 MPH
3rd: 93 MPH
4th: 131 MPH (mostly irrelevant)
Cruising at 70 MPH is 2880 RPM

What would you choose and why?

Also, not doing a manual swap. Too much work and too much money to do it. 5-speeds, even in a wrecker, cost way too much around here. Plus I don't have time for a project with 3 kids under 5.

 

[T4topher]

Looking for some thoughts on final drive ratio. I have a A340E auto in my 4Runner. The first gear is just way too big. I've known that for a while but driving my friend's manual has only accentuated that fact. This it what it looks like with stock 4.10 gearing at redline in each gear with stock sized tires:

1st: 43 MPH (Slow)
2nd: 78 MPH (Seriously Toyota)
3rd: 120 MPH (Speed governor is at 110!! Again, Toyota??)
4th: Irrelevant
Cruising at 70 MPH is 2200 RPM

This is what 4.88 gears would look like:
1st: 36 MPH
2nd: 66 MPH
3rd: 101 MPH
4th: 142 (still irrelevant)
Cruising at 70 MPH is 2660 RPM

This is what 5.29 gears would look like:
1st: 33 MPH (still taller than a 5 speed)
2nd: 61 MPH
3rd: 93 MPH
4th: 131 MPH (mostly irrelevant)
Cruising at 70 MPH is 2880 RPM

What would you choose and why?

Also, not doing a manual swap. Too much work and too much money to do it. 5-speeds, even in a wrecker, cost way too much around here. Plus I don't have time for a project with 3 kids under 5.

I had a 3rz Tacoma with 5.29’s and 33’s and it was definitely a bit over geared feeling.. Great acceleration though.. I mean it depends on what your going for, stock tire size I’d probably go 4.56’s or maybe 4.88’s.. 5.29 seems more race car status on stock size lol..

 

[Devbot]

I mean, speed and breakneck acceleration were never part of this vehicles design but I get the jist of what you're saying. That said I've yet to hear anybody regret going with 4.88, both for on and offroad performance. That's what I was considering if I was ever in a position to re-gear

 

[Cree]

Swap in some 4.30's from a Limited. Probably the best compromise. That's about a 7% change and you could find parts to swap instead of having to mess with setup.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I had a 3rz Tacoma with 5.29’s and 33’s and it was definitely a bit over geared feeling.. Great acceleration though.. I mean it depends on what your going for, stock tire size I’d probably go 4.56’s or maybe 4.88’s.. 5.29 seems more race car status on stock size lol..

That's great feedback. I was wondering that as well. If it felt over geared with 33's then probably too much with my 31's.

I mean, speed and breakneck acceleration were never part of this vehicles design but I get the jist of what you're saying. That said I've yet to hear anybody regret going with 4.88, both for on and offroad performance. That's what I was considering if I was ever in a position to re-gear

Ha, yeah I'm sort of crazy I guess. A 4Runner was never designed to go fast. But somehow I managed to make mine do just that. I've really enjoyed the process of building it up too.

Swap in some 4.30's from a Limited. Probably the best compromise. That's about a 7% change and you could find parts to swap instead of having to mess with setup.

If mine had the 4.30's I don't think I'd even feel the need to regear. It seems like that was the best ratio these 4Runners came with from the factory. I did also like my old Toyota Pickup's gears though, it had 4.56's in the rear with 29" tires and a manual transmission. Total slug of an engine but it was quick through those first 2 gears. Then absolutely nothing after that!

 

[phattyduck]

What would you choose and why?

Stock gearing was clearly picked for fuel economy reasons (as were the shift points in non-ECT-PWR mode). Go with the lowest gears you can stand for your highway cruising.

I'd try driving around with OD off for a while and see how it feels. OD with 5.29's would be pretty close to 3rd with the stock 4.1's on the highway.

I *personally* wouldn't want anything over about 2200 rpm on the highway - but I'm not looking for acceleration up there - I have other vehicles for that.

-Charlie

EDIT: I did drive around with the 29" tires and 4.1's for a bit - it is pretty big difference in pep. Then I put on the 32's and was back to normal...

 

[Cree]

If mine had the 4.30's I don't think I'd even feel the need to regear. It seems like that was the best ratio these 4Runners came with from the factory. I did also like my old Toyota Pickup's gears though, it had 4.56's in the rear with 29" tires and a manual transmission. Total slug of an engine but it was quick through those first 2 gears. Then absolutely nothing after that!

I'd say it was absolutely the best ratio.

 

[thezentree]

4.56s and 33s are a good combo if you spend a lot of time on the interstate (I do) but 4.88s would be more fun every other time.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Stock gearing was clearly picked for fuel economy reasons (as were the shift points in non-ECT-PWR mode). Go with the lowest gears you can stand for your highway cruising.

I'd try driving around with OD off for a while and see how it feels. OD with 5.29's would be pretty close to 3rd with the stock 4.1's on the highway.

I *personally* wouldn't want anything over about 2200 rpm on the highway - but I'm not looking for acceleration up there - I have other vehicles for that.

-Charlie

EDIT: I did drive around with the 29" tires and 4.1's for a bit - it is pretty big difference in pep. Then I put on the 32's and was back to normal...

I have been driving a bit with O/D off and seeing if I like it or not. I absolutely love the extra power as it enters the torque curve and makes passing & onramps a real blast. My exhaust is actually quieter at 2600 and even 2880 RPM than at 2200, as it drones down low near 2100 RPM. My "commute" is 2 miles so I don't do a ton of highway driving currently. I am undecided as to if I like the 2880 cruising RPM on the highway though, which is why I asked here.

4.56s and 33s are a good combo if you spend a lot of time on the interstate (I do) but 4.88s would be more fun every other time.

I don't spend a lot of time on the highway, except for 15-30 minute trips to Sacramento every once in a while and the occasional road trip (which is uncommon with 3 kids under 5). Most of it is city streets. Have you owned a vehicle with 4.88's as well?

 

[St Runner]

4.56 or 4.88
4.3 will not make much difference and 5.29 is kind of crazy unless you are going to wheel it. Now that you have been driving a manual 4runner you probably realize its not the engine that is underpowered but the auto transmission that limits the engines ability. I have both and it really is a night and day difference

 

[thezentree]

I don't spend a lot of time on the highway, except for 15-30 minute trips to Sacramento every once in a while and the occasional road trip (which is uncommon with 3 kids under 5). Most of it is city streets. Have you owned a vehicle with 4.88's as well?

I haven't had a vehicle with 4.88s, but it sounds like you should. :lmao:

My commute to work is mostly interstate, and I make a 10-12hr trip back to NC several times a year, so taking that into consideration 4.56s seemed like a better choice for me. It's only a 7% difference though and 4.88s would certainly be doable. I just wanted to keep rpms as close to the stock range as I could for highway fuel mileage and I think 4.56s do a pretty good job for the way my truck is built. It'd be perfect if my low range had deeper gears.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Sounds like the consensus is 4.88. I hope to have them purchased and installed in the near future!