Well yeah, but it still comes down to the ratio of the sun gear(s) to the planets to the ring gear.

 

You're over complicating it, I think. The reason the gears are lower for the auto is because of how much power it takes to turn the darn thing - the auto sucks a lot of HP. That said, the Auto's first gear is about 2x deaper than the manual due to the nature of the torque converter. As for OD, I think there is a small difference in gearing, but I don't think it's the 5% difference in the gears.

Really, it's apples to oranges. Note that in the Taco/Gen3 4runner line, they didn't have this difference in gearing. The two 5-speed tacos and 2 Auto 4Runners that I've owned have all had 4.10's. The DoubleCab had 3.90 w/ an auto.

 

Actually - that was the answer I was looking for - thanks.

While I'm not in danger of smoking tires, I don't have near the complaints about the power that the auto guys/girls do...

 

I had a loss of power, mostly on the highway when I am already moving 60+ MPH and you want to speed up more it takes longer. In town I havn't noticed a whole lot of difference. As far as MPG mine has become alot pickier, if I am very easy on the pedal and don't go over 60MPH I will get about 17-18MPG; however if I drive like I normally do 80MPH on the highway and not too easy on the pedal I get 13-16MPG. By the way I have 4.88 so I could match the D44 and Toy Axles