I have a 91 3vze 4x4 5 spd manual with 31 x 10.5 r15 LT tires on it. Never had much issue with that until I started running heavier loads. The truck came with 225's OEM. The original owner had the larger tires installed. The gears are still original ratio. How much of a performance hit am I taking running the larger and heavier tires? I don't off road, so I'm considering returning to the stock tire size. Will the lighter tire, less rolling resistance and proper gearing help me climb hills when heavy without having to shift down as far?

Thanks to all posting on yota tech, searching here answers soooo many questions!

 

welcome to Yotatech! im not sure on the performance hit it causes, but if you wanted to keep the 31inch tire you could alwasy regear to 4.56 to put you back or close to stock

is that your p/u in your avatar? if so is it a longbed? throw some pics up if it is. make a free account on photobucket.com and copy and paste the [IMG] code into a post

 

I went from 225's to 31's on mine. I noticed next to no difference but I have a 5speed and had 4.30's at the time. If your stictly on the road you could always go back to 225's.

 

Reducing tire diameter will ALWAYS give you a performance boost. Even 1 inch can make a significant difference.

 

Well, Here are a few pics as requested. Sort of more blog material, but on topic? The first image is off my 91 3vze Longbed camping above the Kern River. The truck cruised over the Grapevine fairly well with this load, but I would like to not have to shift down so far. The camper is a Four Wheel Drive Camper I bought trashed. It has an all aluminum welded frame construction instead of plywood or particle board. Very lightweight (400-450 lbs) and perfect for the smaller pick up. Haven't insulated and sheathed the interior yet, but the queen size bed is plush! Worth consideration by all Toyota truck owners, also comes in a shortbed model (but it is small inside).






This truck has hauled it all. Blew a head gasket in Mexico, but limped back across the border before totally letting go... couldn't really complain. Here it is with a small load of tupperware (4 plastic kayaks).


My wife is getting laid off, business is slow and it seems like a good time to take a cheap road trip vacation to Lake Powell. I'll be towing a zodiac (total weight with trailer approx 600 lbs). It would be nice to get a little more power without spending the bucks on a re gear. Seriously considering going back to stock tires. Anyone with a ball park figure on a re gear for a 4x4? I've done my best to keep the load weight down with an inflatable boat and a light weight camper.

 

Well, Here are a few pics as requested. Sort of more blog material, but on topic? The first image is off my 91 3vze Longbed camping above the Kern River. The truck cruised over the Grapevine fairly well with this load, but I would like to not have to shift down so far. The camper is a Four Wheel drive Camper I bought trashed. It has an all aluminum welded frame construction instead of plywood or particle board. Very lightweight (400-450 lbs) and perfect for the smaller pick up. Haven't insulated and sheathed the interior yet, but the queen size bed is plush!






The truck has hauled it all. Blew a head gasket in Mexico, but limped back across the border before totally letting go... Here it is with a small load of tupperware.


My wife is getting laid off, business is slow and it seems like a good time to take a cheap road trip vacation to Lake Powell. I'll be towing a zodiac (total weight with trailer approx 600 lbs). It would be nice to get a little more power without spending the bucks on a re gear. Seriously considering going back to stock tires. Anyone with a ball park figure on a re gear for a 4x4? I've done my best to keep the load weight down with an inflatable boat and a light weight camper.

 

You are taking a performance hit with the bigger tires + towing. Maybe try the 235/75/15 size. My 4 cyl ran great with that tire size plus stock gearing(4:10).