I am about to lift my truck 2.5" front and back on my 97 Tacoma 4WD 3.4L with auto. I have 31"s on 15" wheels, currently and need to get new tires soon. I want to get 33"s and I know it will be best to re-gear for them, but I won't have the money to re-gear until later down the road. How will the 33"s be on the stock gearing, especially while hauling weight and towing a trailer, or should I stick with 31"s until I can re-gear? At the most, it will be hauling a couple of dirt bikes and towing a 2400lb GVWR trailer at the same time.
33"s with stock gearing?
- Thread starter cr500taco
- Start date
Yes, the stock 10.5 width
TacoFWC
Observer
I have had a few yota's in the past and every one had different tire sizes ranging from stock to 39.5's, and a bunch of gear ratios. I can assure you, that your truck will be fine on 33's for going down the road and light towing. And it will still be fine for light to moderate trails. I have run a few different tire sizes on my 97 3.4 taco to try to cater to both street and trail use and to tell you the truth, it was all a waste of time and money. I have 5:13's and have run 35's, 37's and 39.5's. All had their advantages and disadvantages but I was chasing something that cannot really be a perfect balance. In my opinion, put the 33's on. It will drive fine and you will be happy with you're truck where you drive it the most. Regearing your rig will cost a fortune. Then once you do, you gotta spend another chunk on the tires you wanted in the first place. If you need more gearing on the trail, put your money towards a geared T-case. Inchworm makes a lefty case that will give you all the gearing you need for probably less than you'd spend on tires and gearing diff's, and as far as I know, swapping in a geared case requires zero mods to anything else. Hope this helps
Stone_Blue
Adventurer
You should absolutely be fine....I ran 33's, both 9.5" and 11.5", on my 99 Taco 4WD 2.7 5spd....I had the stock 4.10s. I also ran 33's on several late-80s Toy 4WD PUs with 4cyl 5spd and 4.10s...No issues at all.
And besides, doesnt your 3.4 Auto have 4.30's stock?...If so, even better for 33's...
And besides, doesnt your 3.4 Auto have 4.30's stock?...If so, even better for 33's...
NorthernWoodsman
Adventurer/tinkerer
I'll be the dissenting voice here I suppose. I'm currently running 33x10.50x15 BFG AT's on my 94 Toyota, 22RE, 5spd., with 4.10 gears. I wanted to run 33's too and got a good deal so why not? Figured I'd regear pretty quickly, but still haven't three years later.
Plain and simple, it sucks. I do get 24mpg in 5th gear while on the highway at about 65-70. The tradeoff for the extra mpg's? Lower gears have lost a lot of power and I have to drive in a lower gear than I want often so I have enough power to get up small hills. This also puts me at higher RPM's than I should be if I had correct gearing which increases fuel consumption and puts more wear on my motor. 5th gear is almost useless unless I'm going 60+. I couldn't pull anything up a hill at this point and wouldn't want to try. I'm sure I could go offroad on some trails, but would keep it light as my low end power is gone.
Your 3.4 and auto trans might makeup the difference in the gearing. My 22RE doesn't.
Plain and simple, it sucks. I do get 24mpg in 5th gear while on the highway at about 65-70. The tradeoff for the extra mpg's? Lower gears have lost a lot of power and I have to drive in a lower gear than I want often so I have enough power to get up small hills. This also puts me at higher RPM's than I should be if I had correct gearing which increases fuel consumption and puts more wear on my motor. 5th gear is almost useless unless I'm going 60+. I couldn't pull anything up a hill at this point and wouldn't want to try. I'm sure I could go offroad on some trails, but would keep it light as my low end power is gone.
Your 3.4 and auto trans might makeup the difference in the gearing. My 22RE doesn't.
TacoFWC
Observer
Just curious, how does it drive with 31's? Seem to have plenty power? I just can't imagine your truck with 4:10's and a 3.4 being THAT much different in performance with 33's rather than 31's. I have had a rig with a
22RE and 35's that ripped, and I have had another rig with a 22RE that had a really hard time getting around on 33's.I think if you are getting around just fine with your current setup, you'll be fine going up a size. One last bit of comfort for you: Its alot easier to trade a set of 33's for 31's then the other way around. If it doesn't work out for you, put a trade up on Craigslist saying you'll trade for the right 31's and cash or whatever seems fair. Just my $ .02
22RE and 35's that ripped, and I have had another rig with a 22RE that had a really hard time getting around on 33's.I think if you are getting around just fine with your current setup, you'll be fine going up a size. One last bit of comfort for you: Its alot easier to trade a set of 33's for 31's then the other way around. If it doesn't work out for you, put a trade up on Craigslist saying you'll trade for the right 31's and cash or whatever seems fair. Just my $ .02
montypower
Adventure Time!
Why do you need 33s? My 99 4runner 3.4 SC'd with stock gears it was fantastic to drive with 32s. 33s just took the edge off the braking, steering response and acceleration. Funny thing was I drove the exact same trails with both tires. Minimal advantage off road big sacrifice on road. No need to regear with 32s. Big cost savings better overall performance.
But less "cool" factor...
But less "cool" factor...
austintaco
Explorer
Where do you live? Is it flat or do you have to do a fair amount of climbing? What shape is your current engine in?
I think you would be OK, but there will be times you regret it. I ran my 03 DC with 255/85's on stock gearing for awhile before doing the regear. My trips to CO with a full load were miserable with stock gearing, but back in Austin, it was fine. However, when I started watching my transmission temps on just rolling hills, it made me want to get a regear even sooner.
I also ran my truck with the same lift with 265/75/16 (32") tires and that was about perfect.
I think you would be OK, but there will be times you regret it. I ran my 03 DC with 255/85's on stock gearing for awhile before doing the regear. My trips to CO with a full load were miserable with stock gearing, but back in Austin, it was fine. However, when I started watching my transmission temps on just rolling hills, it made me want to get a regear even sooner.
I also ran my truck with the same lift with 265/75/16 (32") tires and that was about perfect.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
I run 33x12.50s on my Tacoma with stock gearing and tow a trailer. You'll feel a slight power loss but I've been running this way for 3 years now and haven't felt the need to regear yet.
climber-420
Adventurer
Yeah, but how slow are you going up the hills/passes loaded with trailer, or even without. Your truck isn't very light from the looks of it.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
It will maintain 65-70mph no problem.
climber-420
Adventurer
Loaded truck and trailer, and your telling me you can maintain 65-70 MPH, no problem up a hill or over a pass? I call BS. I have a 2004 Tacoma, manual, 6 cyl, and hit it pretty hard to maintain 70 up some passes on 70 West by Evergreen, George Town,etc and those are pretty steep grades. I have a camper shell, and a sleeping platform and not much else in there to go ski. If you haven't done any type of engine modifications, and you are pulling a fully loaded trailer none the less, I just don't see that happening.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
Call BS all you want. There is no point in me lying. All I can tell you is I can set the cruise control at 70mph over Spanish Fork canyon to Moab and it hauls it fine. Same thing up Parley's canyon. Cheers.