Im sure theres a huge thread about tires on the 3.0 and what not but I wanted to ask including the mods that are on MY truck. I recently got my 33x12.50s on and it just killed my truck, I had 32x11.50s before and it did fine I could blaze 90 on the highway no problems and now with these 33s I cant even do 75. The 32s were cheapies and more like 31.6x11s and I went to a BFG M/T so its closer to the true size. It gets horrible gas mileage now also, it didnt get great before but I averaged 16ish and now I dont think Im pulling 12mpg even. Can going up in size that small really do this to my truck? It ran good before its got full exhaust with the exception of headers, custom intake, full tuneup(everything cap, rotor, wires and plugs) and I just seafoamed it. What the hecks going on? My 22RE truck had 32s and had this same problem but I didnt expect it to bog the 4Runner down as bad since it came stock with 4.56s.

 

Yup, that'll happen...

If you have an auto, many people recommend regearing to 5.29's for 33" tires.

 

Note that your speedo and odometer are now reading different than before because you are traveling a further distance for each revolution of the wheels. Note that I did not say they are less accurate - quite to the contrary - mine was almost dead on to the GPS with 4.56's and 33's.

1. If you had listened to us and gone with 33x10.50 this problem wouldn't be as bad because the rolling resistance and weight would be less.

2. If you have a manual tranny, it will be Ok with 4.56, but 4.88 is MUCH better. If you have an auto, you were undergeared from the start and need at least 5.29's (I would seriously consider 5.71's) for 33's.

 

Its a manual, and 'you guys' never said anything about weight for the 33x10.50s. I didnt take that into consideration when I got tires. My speedo is off by 4.6MPH says the Garmin at 60MPH so I guess 70 is really 75 but my 5th gear has become useless now. I was thinking about a regear but Im not going to a 4.88 because I dont think its enough difference to out weigh the cost, the only reason Id regear is if I ever go to a 35'' and then itd be 5.29s. For now if I have any trips I guess the 31s are goin on for highway driving.

 

Yeah, that's what everyone said when I did mine. Going from 4.56 to 4.88 was the best money I ever spent... Listen to someone who has done it - it's a HUGE difference.

What do you mean 5th is useless now - it won't pull it at the speed you drive?

70MPH 5th gear, with 33's and 4.88's is 3k RPM for me - right on the bottom of the powerband.

 

I havent got going 70 without there being a hill infront of me to put it into 5th yet, whenever i get to 65ish i put it in 5th and instantly drop down to 55-60

 

I had 4.30's and 33's with a stick on 94 Runner. I regeared to 4.88's.. X2 on best money spent. It was evident as soon as I let the clutch out it was 10 times better. I still get pretty crappy mileage but for the most part as long as it's level and there's no headwind I can set the cruise at 75 on the freeway and it will hold it's own. I too have a full exhaust and intake on mine.

On another note if your so worried about gas mileage, power, speed ect then WHY the heck did you put 33's on your truck?? Go back to stock or spend the money and do it right by regearing.

 

Im not worried about it but its unconvient to get ?…?…?…?…ty gas mileage and have to flog the crap out of it on the highway, unless you enjoy burning money at the pumps and killing your engine slowly, if so then thats your own I guess. This is also my daily driver so its hard finding the line between practical and trail rig.

 

Then like I said either put 31's back on it or regear....

 

are you saying that 4.88s+auto+33/12.5=bad idea?
i was under the impression that that would be a good combo?

 

Don't mean to hijack anything here but.. How much are most people paying to regear to 4.88's? v6 manual(If that matters)

 

better than 4.56 which is what I think is coupled with my auto. with 32x11.5s, its slower than hell and louder than a dying cat

 

YES.

You are undergeared from the factory with 4.88 and 31's IMHO! The problem is not first gear or crawl ratio - it's the damn overdrive. If you want to be able to hold the overdrive on anything remotely uphill or into the wind, you better gear LOW - like 5.71's for 33's

 

You dont need to be going 90 mph on 33s anyway lol!

 

This thread can be summed up in two sentences: The larger the tires on your truck, the crappier your mileage is going to be, period. Same goes for gas mileage.

 

Make that an X3 for going from 4.56's to 4.88's on a 5 speed 3.0 4runner with 33's. the 4.88's with the stick leave you 6% undergeared which compensates nicely for the added rolling resistance, inertia, and wind resistance of the larger tires.

With an auto, 4.88's work for 31's. 5.71's for 33's. The auto's overdrive is .71:1 while the 5 speed's is .85. That OD ratio in the auto is ridiculous.

Frank