I might be getting a really good deal on gears and install sometime in the next couple months. If I plan on running at most just 33's, what would you guys reccommend? I really want my gas mileage back and the somewhat acceleration I had before when I had my teenie 235's.

I'll probably go with Yukon Gears, just because that's what I've seen a lot of people go with, and ppl have said great things about them. But dont' know if I should go with 4.56's or 4.88's. What are the up's and downs for getting either?

Also, the only difference with my rig since it came with 15's and 235's from the factory is just the gearing right? Like the tranny/engine is the same as the other 3rd gens that came with 16's?

Gracias.

 

With a manual tranny and 33s, 4.88 would be a good match. You should check what you have now but they're probably 4.10.

 

I have an auto tranny and 3.90's now.

 

Here, use the "Find new Gear Ratio with new tire size " one, put in the diameter of the original and new tires and then try your gear ratios. Find the one that's closest or slightly lower than 3.9 for best results.

 

wow that link is awesome, thanks Shane!! It's saying I need 4.6, so should I just go 4.56's?

also, how do you figure out your transmission ratio, axle ratio, and trans case ratio? to figure out crawl ratio....

Thanks!

 

I would say go with the 4.88s.

I just installed Yukon 4.88 with ARB lockers in the front/rear but I am still running my 31s and my RPM at 60 went from 2350 to 2950 with the regear. Once I get my 33s it should drop to 2650.

I also have the 2.7 4banger but with the V6 you may want to go with the 4.56.

 

You already know your axle ratio, you'll have to look up the others. 4.56 will be slightly higher (ie slower) that it was stock, 4.88 will give you better acceleration. As Ben said, if you have the V6 then the higher 4.56 gears should be fine, but if you have the 4 then the lower 4.88 might be a better choice.

 

I am running 305-70-r16 (33x12.5) and also running 4.11 Yukon, I figured out how to make the transfer case go into LO without 4wd. I never have a problem offroad, so why regear.
However.......
If you want better gas milage and better top end(lower rpms @ highway), then re gearing to a higher gear will do more harm than good. You will get poor power, hwy miles and economy. I would recomend a 4.10 ratio

If you want to regain low end power at the sacrifice of hwy performance and economy then go with 4.56 or 4.88s

Yukon Gears are strong, you can get Yukon gears from Randy's Ring Pinion but do not use Randy's. It has been over a month and a half and they have sent me 2 wrong diffs both with true tracs and now they say that a True trac won't work and I need to order an open diff. They didn't even write down my address just my zip so UPS had to find me (actually sent it to my empty lot down the road from my house) They Suck..........

 

So you're saying you drive around in low range all the time?
I previously had 33s and 4.10, my truck could barely get out of it's own way.

Let's make sure everyone understands, if he has 3.9 now and regears to 4.1 or anything numerically higher, it is a lower gear ratio. The difference between 3.9 and 4.1 is not worth the trouble.

 

Hey Rob,

I think the other thing to keep in mind is where you will be driving over the next couple of years. SInce you'll be in school in the mid west and deriving home to AZ a couple of times a year, you are gonna be going over mountain passes alot, and will want to keep your enging in the power band. If you lived close to sea level and never went about 2-3000 ft, then 4.10's or 4.30's would probably be fine for 33" tires. But then again, everyone who has got bigger tires first, and then re-geared later have all said that they wished they re-geared sooner...I would suggest 4.56.

Just my $.02

 

 

There is a blue connection on all drivers side 3rd gen 4Runner/Taco Transfer cases. Disconnect this and let it hang, or tape it. This allows 4wd to be activated only when you push the button on the shifter. You can freely change between hi and lo by the shifter, but now the 4wd switch is independent. I am sure that someone else has done it and there is probible a write up on it. Also the locker safety can be turned off so the E-locker can be toggled at any time even in 2wd

 

I'm not interested in how you did it, 2wd low range is not a solution for a crappy gear/tire combo.

 

That's why I keep my mods to myself. It might not help YOU, but it might be usefull info if he or othe yotatechers plan on using his vehicles as a trail rig. I have had 33s for a long time w 4.10 and I still can speed all around town. Hell there are sas taco with 3.slows that run 4.10 gears with 37" tires.

 

I'm not saying it was my thread, I asked if you were saying to drive in low range instead of regearing to a more appropriate ratio and you answered with a how-to. Sure it may work for a trail dedicated rig but it is not a solution for a DD. Rob asked what gear ratio he should get, he didn't ask for a workaround. We welcome you sharing your low range mod but it doesn't answer the original question...

 

This mod will not effect 2wd and has no adverse effect on the transfer case. It simply removes relays and or safetys making the system a tad more user friendly. I use this so I can navigate tighter trails, save CVs and reserve bragging rights (I made it in 2wd and you got stuck)

Ok we are miscommunicating. My 2wd mod is for the trail only. On road this mod doesn't matter. I geared to 4.11 because I tore my spiders out. I would have gone to 4.88 but from factory 4.10 to 4.88 is not that much of a difference (at least not worth the cash) My truck is suppose to be a DD so going to lower (4.88) gears would decrease milage and increase acceleration.
I personally think for a DD with 33" the gears should be around 4.10

 

4.1 to 4.88 is a 20% difference, 3.9 to 4.1 is a 5% difference. If he changes to a 20% larger tire than stock then he'd need a 20% lower gear ratio to maintain the stock fuel economy and performance.

 

So going 4.56's will get me even WORSE gas mileage?? I thought getting higher gears (lower ratio) would help me regain my stock performance and mileage.

It would decrease mileage??

If that's the case, then I won't bother spending all the $$ just to go to a stock 4.10 ratio.

That's really my main concern right now, performance and mileage. But what would be an off-road advantage? Just more low end power? Thanks for all the comments, but I'm starting to get real lost in your guys' post haha.

I guess this is a little too "hardcore" for me

 

To a point yes, as long as you keep the final ratio (which includes the "gear" effect of the tire size change) near stock your mileage will not be affected by anything other than mabye increased wind drag from having a larger frontal surface area with the larger tires or lift.
Don't worry, I already moved this thread out of the hardcore section yesterday.

 

Damn, but I wanted to be hardcore like you guys :cry:

Ah well, we'll see what happens over the next couple months.