gte718p

Aftermuch consternation and ruling out tons of other options I'm going to regear my 87 4runner. I'm running 33's so I'm going with 4.88. I have IFS in the front. I noticed Marlin lists a seperate gear for the IFS front, but most people don't. Is it the same or different' What is the best gear for the money. My truck is mostly a people and gear hauler, but occasionally goes off road. Its not a hard core crawler rig.

Thanks for all the support so far.

Jarrett

tc

Everyone should show a different part number for the IFS front and rear diffs. The front is 7.5", the rear is 8".

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

The setup of the gears is more critical than the brand. If you want the absolute highest quality gears, there are two choices - Precision or USGear. NOTE: you will hear a lot about Yukon gears - these are simply rebranded gears from Richmond, Precision, and others. The VAST majority are Richmond. Interestingly, you will also see a lot of people bashing Genuine Gear ... which are ALSO Richmond.

drew303

^^^^ what he said. =)

Also if your considering installing them yourself check out Zuk's site. http://gearinstalls.com/

It's not that difficult if you've been through it a few times, the first gear install can be confusing. It's also very important its done RIGHT or you will really increase your chance of the gears breaking.

AxleIke

I run precision. Set up is critical. Find a shop that has a good reputation.

Djlarroc

Question. If your truck is "mostly a people and gear hauler", why do you need 33s? Why don't you save yourself the time, money and hassle and just go with 31s?

gte718p

b/c they are already on the truck. I bought it that way. It also has way to much lift on it. I think it had even bigger tires on it at some point. It would look silly. Bad reason, but I like having options.

Djlarroc

Nah, I see your reason now. I thought you were planning on running 33s. Yeah, then 4.88s is the best choice. You can maybe find a used set. They come up here and there in the classifieds section.

DN1911

I am fairly sure at on point reading an article on Yukon having there own overseas foundries where a lot of their products were made. the article made the place seem fairly high tech and up to date on their techniques.

phildelfino

If you got a 4 cyl., then get ahold of dirtoyboy for some used 4.88s.

tc

maybe for their ujoints or something, but not for their gears.

dirtoyboy

x2 , Im with IKE

Lysmachia

My setup was obviously done so well that my precision 5.71's have not even balked for failure! (And actually in many ways they are stronger than 5.29's) You'll see an article on that on Zuk's site.

M threezy

I have brand new gears for my 88 V6 4runner. Will these fit in an e-locker rear from a late model 4runner or Tacoma? Going the e-locker route and hope not have to buy a new set of gears....

TIA!

Matt16

You don't need 33" tires if its not a serious off road rig. Stick with 31s and you won't need to regear. So often there are people with huge tires, winches etc and they still have open diffs!!

gte718p

Holy resurrection.

Since someone brought this thread back to life. I did the 4.88 swap and arb in the rear. I'm really happy with it. I went from 9 mpg to low 22's which I'm really happy with. I can also use 5th gear which is a huge plus.

I've noticed tire selection is almost as important as HP, gearing and lockers. I have 33" boggers on. I bought it that way and have not changed it. Even with the locker I still have problems some places at Hollister b/c I dig into the soft sandy soil instead of float.

Now I'm debating moving more towards a built rig. I can't decide if I want to go with the SAS or just throw manual hubs and an ausi on the front and call it good enough.

SwampThing

No worries, that's how it all begins. It started with a sticker for me.

SAS the beast! Or piecemeal it. Do what you can with what funds you have, then save and buy what you want, then upgrade and sell your used parts. It's a never ending cycle.

4RunnerFreedom

thread jacking time.

i have an 88 4runner (4 cyl 5 spd) that is mostly used on road but on occasion i want to go wheeling. i was contemplating purchasing a drop in 8" differential from Marlin Crawlers. 4.88 with a detroit locker.

i run the stock tire size. but have an extra set of wheels that i figured i would put some larger tires on for wheeling. I have never done gears before so that is the reason for buying the drop in unit.

is that a good choice for me?

gte718p

Its not really a matter of funds its priorities. Do I really need a truck. Should I keep it streetable. Should I piece meal this thing into a fairly capable rig or do a purpose built no sacrifice buggy. Im military so I move alot. I'm in Cali playing in the rock right now but I will probably be playing the east coast mud next.

Oh well so many decisions and so much time. My rig is sitting in my driveway broken and I'm out of the country fighting the good fight

gte718p

Stock tires I wouldn't go for 4.88's. I went with the drop in from TG and was very satisfied. Free shipping and showed up the day after I ordered it. I was going to cost more to have it done locally. I was going to have ZUK do it for the same price, but I delayed and he went fishing for the season. Oh well price was about the same and I have a spare third I'll either sell or regear and keep as a ready spare.

I drove a friends ride with the Detroit. It was not bad, but I prefer not to have the locker on when driving on the street. The ARB was worth the money.

Don't forget you have to do the front or you've made your 4x4 into a 4x2. The IFS is 7.5 and no one makes a drop in. The front is easy to drop and I just took it to a local shop to have done.

4RunnerFreedom

okay. so who is "TG" and how do i find their website?


so i need to regear the front axle to the same as the rear?

i'm a newbie to this stuff so all help is greatly appreciated.

thanks