hross14

So have been considering many options on my build and one i have considered is/are leaving the original chain drive in and going with a 515 gear set from Marlin. 34% reductionin first gear. I think that is about where i would want to be. Not a hard core rock crawler.

Has anybody done this? Is first gear still needed on the street or you just use the higher 2nd and row as usual. here are the ratios

Stock 3.83, 2.062, 1.436, 1.00, .83

515 Option 5.15, 2.74, 1.93, 1.00, .83

Would be great for towing/hill starts and alot cheaper than some of the other options I have toyed with. 4th and 5th are the same so that is great for the Highway.

What Says You??

fillsrunner4

I think it would be good if you want to keep stock gearing in the tcase and like to crawl but if you go to duals ever it might be a bit much. Ide stay stock just because your first gear for street would be so quick it would be useless in my opinion.

Ian Rogers

I have a 5:1 First gear in my fj40 (from a non-usa trans) I find it anoing to drive on the street. 2nd is to high to start in so i use 1st and have to shift before i cross the cross walk lines, and then again to 3rd at the other side of the inter section. I love the 50:1 crawl off road. If this truck is a DD i would go with a toy box over 5:1 1st gear. What about inchworms "lefty"?

hross14

When it is all added up--the cost for a 515 set of gears would be 1700--a left would be $2400. I am just trying to lessen my cost burden.

But the info you gave me about having to short shift is what i was looking for. Can i ask what gears and tires you are running in the FJ40?

SoCalWheeler71

I've had a granny gear before and I wouldn't go back, especially if it's a heavy rig like a 4runner. It's like driving a freakin dump truck.

Double cases give you;
1) good street manners.
2) better front u-joint angles
3) flexibilty- more gearing choices
4) a cool third shifter

Ian Rogers

I have 4.10's and 34" tsl's