Hello to all. I stumbled upon these forums awhile ago and have been slowly reading through the posts. I'm trying to educate myself before purchasing a new 2002 4Runner.

Does anyone know the difference between the two axle ratios offered, either 3.91 or 4.10? I plan on using my 4Runner on the beach (surf fishing), trails and other off-road stuff. This will also be my regular road vehicle.

Is one ratio better than the other? Any help is appreciated.

 

Yes. The 4.10's are lower! If you plan on doing off-road stuff, there is no option. Go with the 4.10's.

Welcome!

 

4.10s are lower. It means the driveshafts turn 4.1 times for every one wheel revolution. The correct way to experss it is 4.10:1 like a ratio. More shaft turns per wheel turn is a good thing in any offroad driving.

 

The lower the gear ratio, the more low end power you will have (i.e. a better crawl). This also makes for higher RMPs, especially at highways speeds, so the lower the gear ratio, the lower your gas mileage will be (assuming everything else is equal). The difference between 3.90s (what I have) and 4.10s isn't much. The crawl advantage of the 4.10s will be noticable under certain circumstances, but the difference in gas mileage will be negligable.

If you can, go with the 4.10s unless you plan to run larger tires, then go with the 3.90s (probably part of a less expensive package) and regear to 4.56s, 4.88, or 5.29s depending on tire size.

HTH

 

Welcome to the forum, roadrunner!

I have a quick comment. I noticed that you are planning on getting an '02? If thats the case, then it will have the auto tranny, correct? The reason I ask, is in previous years, before they quit offering the 5-speed tranny, Toyota put different ratios in models with either tranny. For example, my '98 with the V-6 and auto tranny actually has 4.30:1 and an equally equipped '98 with the V-6 and 5 speed tranny would have 4.10:1. So, I guess the point to my ramblings is to double check those numbers, but like everyone else said, deffinatley get the lower (numerically higher) gear ratio.

It only makes since that they put lower ratio gears in trucks with auto trannys, because there is usually more parasitic engine power loss thru an auto versus a manual tranny.

Later,

 

Real men run 5.29's.

 

Real men don't run 4 cylinders.

 

:eek: Hell hath no fury like a 4-banger scorned.

 

Bring it on, you'll leave with the dents.



Do you even have 4WD?

 

www.azrocks2003.com

:chicken: :chicken: :chicken: :chicken: :chicken:

 

I think the ones with lockers mostly had the 4.3 axles....

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com