This is my first thread, so I know I'm about to be ripped apart for asking this question...
I have a 95 4Runner with the 3.slow, 4" ˟˟˟˟˟lift Kit (Superlift...haha), 33" muds and stock 4.88's blah blah blah...the usual stuff. I've been saving my money and I'm planning a SAS this summer. I'm thinking about running a smaller 3-4" Trail Gear kit and 34" Interco Trxus M/T's. I want to run open diffs till I get more money, but I want to know if I could run 5.29's. My 4.88's already suck on the highway and I'll have a lot of highway mileage next year going to college. I'm wondering if the 5.29's will be any better or if I should stick with the 4.88's on the auto tranny and just take it down a notch and cruise around 55-60 mph on the highway. As said before, I know I'll be eaten alive for posting this. Please forgive my stupidity, but I would like some helpful advice.

 

I'd go with the 5.29's with a auto. Run pretty good with 5.29's and 33's actually.

 

Auto, 3.0 heck I would run those gears with 31's.

I ran them with that engine, tranny and 33's.

Then the same gears with a 3.4 and 33's.

Now the 3.4 and auto with 37's. Lots faster when it was a 3.4 with 33's.

 

Yeah 5.29s or even better 5.71s with 33s for the 3.slo auto tranny. Don't worry, not too many flames here.

 

Yeah, I would be thinking 5.71's if you need the overdrive to work at all.

Molly's truck has 5.71 with 35's and the auto and it won't hold the overdrive on anything other than downhill with a tailwind. She tachs about 2600 RPM at 70 MPH.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not trying to set any land speed records, I just want to cruise comfortably through western kansas (55-65mph). My route would be starting just outside Kansas City and ending in Manhattan, Kansas. Its pretty dang flat driving, but the Flint Hills become more prominent the further west you drive. I'm also planning to visit my friends at CSU and in Vail. I dont feel like redlining at 35mph going through Loveland Pass and having to pick up my tranny at the bottom of the mountain. Any suggestions are welcome. I want to get all opinions and info so I can make this turd last through college and some mild long distance driving.

 

That's my point - if you want to be able to USE the overdrive, you've gotta gear LLLLOOOOWWW. Otherwise, you'll be stuck with the tranny in the lower gear and taching like crazy.

If you want the tranny to last longer, install a cooler.

 

I've got a 529 diff that I set up for Buddy back on Sept 18 but he never got back to me.....

 

If you can, i'd buy that diff from Zuk, he does SUPERB work. You'll put those babies in and never worry about them again.

 

What kinda speeds do you think the truck will have with 5.29's in 4 low?? No overdrive.

 

who cares? It'll be probably 35 or so, but if you're going anywhere over 10MPH you should probably be in 4HI...

 

Here you go, knock yourself out:

http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

My guess is about 25 mph with 33's and 5.29s. BTW OD is not an option in 4 low, the ECU won't let it.

 

I'm looking at a similar dilemma....I would really like to go 5.29s and a rear locker ASAP. but I intend to go SFA before too long, but not immediately. which means I'd have to have the front end done twice....

in your case, I'd wait to do the gears, SAS, and lockers all at once. that way you only have to have your diffs done once.

but yes, you could run the 5.29s.

I've heard that the pinion on the 5.71s is too weak for reliable use...there was even a vendor site that wouldn't sell them....all-pro maybe?

 

I'm interested in that Zuk... PM sent.

 

Read what Zuk says about 5.71s:
http://zukaz.tripod.com/410suck.htm

 

huh....VERY interesting! although, I had no worries about the ring gear. the source I was thinking of specifically mentioned the smaller pinion gear being the culprit.

 

the pinion for both 5.29 and 5.71 have 7 teeth...

 

Well i have the factory "special" 4.88's. When i re-gear, I need to get a whole new 3rd member too, correct? Can I use a 4cyl 3rd member with a V6 axle?

 

I believe that's correct for the rear 3rd. Yes you can use a 4 cyl 3rd but it will be a lttle weaker than a V6 3rd. I did that for a few years myself.

 

x2 I just went through this issue, I'd go with the v6 third if you can find one, hit up a pick and pull or something.