Polander

I have a 1990 4Runner with the 3.0/Auto/4.10s & 31/10.50/15s.

The 3.4 swap is where I am eventually headed, but the 3.0 is running as strong as could be expected, so at this point I see no need to go to the expense of an engine swap just yet. Plus I've put a decent amount of money (t-belt, alt., etc) into the 3.0 in the not so distant past and I'd like to keep running it for a few more years.

In the mean time I've been researching the forums here and considering swapping in a 5 speed and some lower gears to get a little more out of the 3.0.

The 5 speed swap is already necessary for the future 3.4 swap, and I hate the auto behind the 3.0, so it is basically a done deal. My questions concern the gears/tires configuration. I want to do this on a reasonable budget so I am shopping for salvage yard third members, frt.axle assemblies, and 5spd/trans.cases.

The biggest tire I want to run at this point (even post 3.4) is a 33. I'm learning from my searches that the 4.88s would be better with 33 with the 3.0/5spd BUT the 4.56 are cheaper AND buildable if/when the time comes for lower gears and lockers. I'll be running the 31s for a while as they have a bit of life left, but would the 3.0/5spd/4.56s move 33s? (i'll probably need tires before a 3.4)

Would a 33/9.50 or 32/10.50 be better with either the 4.56 or 4.88 set up?

I will soon be living in western CO/eastern UT but the family/and a bunch of friends live on the east coast of NE so I'm looking for a happy medium between mountain pass performance and great plains driveability.

Sorry, I know there is a ton of info on this already out there. I know. Almost TOO much to wrap my head around so thats why I ask directly. Thanks in advance for all the advise.

One more question for all the 3.4 swap guys... How much body lift are you needing to get the 3.4 to fit with the stock hood. I know there would be underhood trimming involved with a 1" but how about a 2"? Im thinking of doing the body lift to give me more room to work with the trans. swap.

Thanks again.

elripster

Well 4.88's are a great combo with 33's with a 5 speed/3.0 but with the extra power of the 3.4 you could go with 4.56's and 33's and likely be Ok.

I ran 4.56's and 4.88's with 33's hence why I say the 4.88's are better with this engine/tranny combo especially in the mountains.

Here's an option. Find some used 4.88's. As long as the rear (only) diff isn't a factory 4.88 it can be geared to any ratio available. Then do the 3.4 and see if you like it. If not you can probably sell the 4.88's close to or for what you paid for them and get some 4.56's.

Frank

tc

My plan/thoughts have been similar to yours.

I started with a 3.0/5 speed/4.56/31's. Personally, I felt 1st was a bit too low - by the time you got moving you had to shift, but it was pretty peppy in 5th.

Tires needed to be replaced, so I did 33x10.50. It was OK - first actually had some "legs" now, but I was shifting a lot in 5th as it wouldn't pull rolling hills anymore.

I wanted lockers, so I went to 4.88 at the same time. Best combination by far. First still has some "legs", and it will cruise nicely in 5th at 70MPH.

If I ever want to go to 35's, I will engine swap to a 3.4L, and be properly geared for that motor. (or after I swap, I will go to 35's)

4.56 with 33's might be nice out here. You can't pull 5th on the passes anyways, so it might make 4th a bit better, and oftentimes you can't pull 4th either, so it will definitely help when you have to go to 3rd.