If I end up keeping my 22RE and rebuilding/dropping in a new one how much would 5.29s help with towing? According to 4LO.com my RPMs would be as follows with the 5 speed/31s/5th gear:

55 MPH (The fastest I'd ever tow anyway) - 2680

65 MPH (Happy medium cruising speed) - 3167

75 MPH (As fast I've ever gone in the truck) - 3655

These numbers don't seem too out of whack for a truck that will not be a daily driver. I don't have a tach, but again, according to 4LO.com I should be turning at about 3028 RPM when doing 75 MPH. A difference of 600 RPM doesn't seem like all that much? Again though, the truck will be seeing mostly 65 MPH or less. Really though I'm less concerned about how fast I'm turning at highway speeds. Rather, I'm curious to know how much of an improvement I'll see starting with a 3500lb trailer from a dead stop. I should add that if I go this route I'll probably install some sort of low-RPM cam (TRD has one, Crane has one, etc...) and open up the exhaust. Regardless, I know that if I can get 225 ft/lbs out of the 22RE it would be a lot, so I'm looking at gearing as a possible fix.

 

If your running 31"s I would go with the 4:56 maybe 4:88. IMHO 5:29 ratio w/ 31"s would be a weird combo. Im assuming you have 4:10's in your diffs right now.

 

Sure I get that it's not the norm, but the way I see it if I'm not going to swap something in with more low end power I have to make up for it somehow. I'm just trying to figure out if 5.29s vs. the 4.10s would make a huge difference in towing ability, all other things (tires, engine, load, etc...) being equal.

 

Do it. You won't be let down. You'll be in the power range for an engine that puts 90hp to the wheels at best.
Oh and, forget getting 225ft lbs of tourqe out of a 22re without dropping 4k into the engine.

 

solution, half ton pickup if you tow often

 

That's kind of what I was looking for-either what you said or "don't bother-it will still be a complete dog"

Don't mind me-I was looking at the newton meters instead of foot pounds on the Wikipedia page. So given the fact that the stock torque figure is 143 ft/lbs if could get 165/170 it would be a lot...

 

5:29 vs 4:10 would be like... "black and white" Is it a single cab truck? I had a single cab(light weight compared to xtra cab or 4Runner) 22re w/ 4:56 and it was a great combination but almost border line to low on the freeway. Maybe if you had 22re 4runner the 5:29 might be good for towing w/ 31"s Obviously you want the torque. I still wouldnt go any taller than 4:88 with 31"s IMO, but would interested to know what you go with and how you like it.

 

personally, i would go with 4.88s unless you're planning to put bigger tires on also. i ran 4.88s/31s for almost 2yrs and the truck drove great. on the hwy, RPMs were a little higher than i cared for especially at like 70+mph - with 5.29s, i dunno...might be way too high, but then again i baby my truck when i drive it and usually try not to go past 3500rpms. i did notice a positive change in how the truck drove with a load in the bed. i had much better acceleration from a stop. couldn't say how the truck would react to towing 3500# since i've never really towed anything with my truck and would never think to tow something that weighed as much as my truck since the brakes aren't enough to stop that much weight IMO.

if you go with 5.29s and the same size tires you will notice a HUGE difference in how the truck drives. 4.88s you will still notice a significant difference, but it won't be so much. with 4.88s, you might be able to find a factory-geared diff for a good price, whereas the 5.29s would have to get setup by an installer - and it usually reflects in the price.

good luck!

 

It's a single cab and pretty stripped down (no power anything, no AC, etc...) so it's probably about as light as it gets. It will get heavier though since I plan to put a pretty beefy headache rack, lights, a toolbox, etc...and will always be carrying at least two chainsaws, gas, bar oil, ax, shovel, Hi-Lift jack, log chains, peavey, and miscellaneous other stuff. Looks like its time to take the plunge and post the results

 

T100 brakes will be installed before towing that heavy. I'm also looking to possibly upgrade to rear discs as well as installing brakes on the trailer, using a sway control, etc...

I thought that the tallest OEM Toyota gears were 4.56s in the automatics? If I could find 4.88s in a junkyard that might sway my decision-is it possible to find these?

 

^^^ x2! 4:88 for your situation

 

I found used factory 4:56's for mine, I think I paid around $300. for both. The OEM 4:88's are really hard to find Good luck though

 

Factory 4:88s can be found, not sure of your location but I found a set for $250 front and rear and I'm still kicking myself for not buying them!!!! They are rare but out there. http://www.brian894x4.com/Gearratiosanddiffs.html this site list all the codes to help with your search

 

YES, That site is awesome!! and very helpful I might add.

 

I'm in NJ-there are a couple of good Toyota yards around here but who knows. What I save finding them I might spend it gas while looking I have a mechanic friend who can usually get me work on the cheap from his friends. IE: instead of me walking into the local driveline/transmission/rearend shop and handing them the new gears and the 3rd member, he asks for me because he knows them and I pay a lot less $$$. Good reference on that site though.