SeldomSeenSlim

Hey everyone,

I searched around the site to see if this question has been answered, so forgive me if I missed something.

I have a 95 4runner 3.0 4WD that I plan on having for a long time. Like most owners of this model I am looking for ways to increase performance and MPGs. I am eventually going to swap to a 3.4 but in the meantime would regearing be a viable option? I have a general idea what a regear would do, but I have no idea as far as if there are better ratios than others, or what gear ratio numbers mean.

I have stock tires, and have no plans to go bigger. My current gearing is 4.88.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

scuba

No need to re gear. Your current 4.88's and 31's are perfect for your truck.
They'd be perfect with the 3.4 auto. You could probably move up to a 32" tire and get good mpg and good performance.

93Xtra-Cab

If anything, you could go up to a 33 or a 35, if you really want to push it. My truck has 4.30 gears from the factory and I run 32s and it is perfectly fine.

SeldomSeenSlim

So a regear has no benefits unless you are going to a larger tire?

TNRabbit

Regear will give you more apparent torque/accelleration, but at a price of higher RPMs at any given speed. 4:88 is a REALLY low gear for stock. My truck has 4:10 with 32" tires, & I have no issues. Speedometer is SPOT ON with this combo.

rattlewagon

Agree. The 4.88s that you have now are highly desired by most on this board.

If anything, you should swap to a manual tranny. That auto is stealing all your power. Thats why you have such low gears from the factory.

93Xtra-Cab

By stock tires, I'm guessing either 225s or 31s. In my opinion, if you have no plans to increase your tire size, I think you should regear to a 4.10 or 4.30. You will get much better fuel economy and you'll put less strain on your engine.

I agree with Rattlewagon. A manual tranny swap will make a world of difference.

rattlewagon

I wouldn't go any lower with the auto tranny (MAYBE 4.56 if your on 225s). There's a reason they came with those 4.88s. Im assuming it has 31s and a tow package (plus auto) to end up with the 4.88s

What are your RPMs at highway speed?

scuba

Worst suggestions in the thread.

93Xtra-Cab

When I said "you could go up to a 33 or a 35", I meant tire size. Just a clarification, if anyone didn't understand that.

Scuba, I'm just going by my own experiences. Now that I think of it, I probably shouldn't have chimed in because I don't own one with an automatic. I've driven a friends with 31s and it seemed like it could have used a lower ratio, like a 4.56. However, I only drove it 4 or 5 miles at a around 50 so I can't say I know enough to be suggesting things.

That being said, I don't see how my suggestions were all that horrible. He said he was looking for ways to boost fuel economy. The basic rule of thumb on most cars is that to get better fuel economy, in terms of gearing, you reduce the ratio.

Does anyone else think that my suggestions are idiotic?

93Xtra-Cab

I have 32s and 4.30s and I'd say that if I go up to a 33, I'd have to regear because it is already a dog on hills. My speedometer says I'm going 2 mph slower than I actually am, but that is based on what those speed traps on the interstate say, so you don't know how accurate that is.

bmcghie

All I know is that the auto tranny has a very tall first gear, and if you are under -geared on top of that, it will be bloody pathetic off the line.

My 4runner has 32" tires, 5.29 gears... and runs at 4000rpm on the highway to do 84mph... it gets 20-21mpg on the highway. Also, by keeping the engine speed up, I rarely have to change gear in addition to keeping me in the powerband for passing.

Oooh, should probably mention I have a manual. Auto would probably need 5.71s to match this kinda performance.

Final word: Your 4.88s are a very good choice for your truck. Toyota decided they were best compromise in terms of power and mileage. Mayyyybe you could switch to 4.56 if you don't tow very often, but you won't jump off the line as fast, and I doubt it will help your mileage much. Best thing for that is a tune up and a lighter right foot.

ThatGuy1295

Egg zaclly!!

Leave it alone. Besides, you got a rear factory 4.88 diff, you have to switch out the 3rd member to regear anyways.

3.0 is a good engine, I own one, but that automatic that came with it...... you'd be better off pulling a parachute.

SeldomSeenSlim

RPM speeds are about 2500-3000 around 65mph (which I rarely exceed). It did come with 31s and a tow package. I get around 12mpg and I'm sure some of that can be fixed with a tune up

So the higher the gear ratio, the more torque? (i.e. a 5.29 has more torque than a 4.88?)

As much as the idea of a manual tranny sounds good to me, I can't have it. My wife would hate me if she had to drive a stick in LA traffic lol.

That being said, since I plan on replacing the engine anyway (to the 3.4) is there an A/T that would not kill my power?

Thanks for all the replies everyone. This is great information.

93Xtra-Cab

That is correct, sir. A 5.29 would have more torque and quicker acceleration at the expense of top speed and fuel economy due to slightly higher revs to produce the same speed, compared to the 4.88. The 4.88 would have less torque and slower acceleration, though it will have a greater top speed and fuel economy, compared to the 5.29.

Some might argue about the statements I just made about the fuel economy. A lot of the time, it just depends on how you drive it.