Just Put 4.88's in my 4Runner and.....
- Thread starter Applejack
- Start date
Disturbed Industries
makin' gold outta dog****
the automatic is going to mask the jump in ratio, especially with a minor change like 4.30 to 4.88. the true benefit is long term, fuel mileage and more importantly, the 4.88's are going to make life easier on that new transmission. sleep easy knowing youre helping out the transmission. its certainly not wasted money.
Nullifier
Expedition Leader
It's the auto that is killing you. I went from 3.57 on 31" up to 255/85 and 4.88 with my 3rz manual. Huge difference but the manual puts the power down better. I don't think I could ever willingly purchase a Toyota automatic. They just Rob so much performance due to drive ratio. 265 and 4.88 + auto gets you back to ducky stock performance level. Not dogging you or your runner here. Just Toyota's terrible auto trans.imo you did good by putting in the 4.88 gears. You will see benefit for sure in mpg, wear, and lowrange driveability. I am not a fan of the 5.29 due to all the failures I have seen but if you want increases to show up in the seat you have to go there with the automatic.
Applejack
Explorer
I would definitely supercharge it before I would ever re-gear to 5.29. After driving it yesterday, I do notice some differences but again, nothing to feel from the butt dyno. Revs are higher at cruising speed and driving with the overdrive off around town I do get better responsiveness. I haven't taken it to the trail yet, I'm going to let my transmission and gears wear in awhile before I really push it. Then I will know if there is any benefit to be reaped there. I'm hoping so. A lot of my issues came into play when I would be on steeper rocky trails (small rocks, not boulders) where low range was too slow but Hi was a bit too high. The engine would rev quite high to move over them and I really was feeling like my transmission was straining. I know be going to 4.88 I have taken some of the burden off there but I'm hoping there's a little bit better 'go slow-ability' without having to crawl in low range so much.
My experience is that all of the needed "mods" for supercharging are interwebs lore.
My brother has an automatic 4Runner, 1998, stock 4.30's, and 285x75's, and supercharged. No mods other than a lift, and that truck pulls just fine here in CO. Not as good as a 5 speed, but it'll get up and go when you put your foot down. He ran 265/75 E rated tires before this, and it really got going with those.
The fuel mods are nice, but not necessary. You will possibly run into fuel cut at the red line, but thats about it.
Tranny mods are for sportyness, but kinda ruin the ride comfort (lot harsher shifting, but some folks don't mind that).
He has 250,000 miles on the truck, and its still pulling strong. Gets about 16-18 mpg, mixed city/hwy.
I agree that your auto is likely masking the performance upgrade a bit, but I'm surprised you haven't felt more get up and go. Interesting, but I suppose its not a huge change.
I regeared my 5 speed 99 from 4.10 to 4.30, and felt that, but its also supercharged on 285's, so I was pushing larger tires with the stock gears. It got it back to the way it felt with 265's.
My brother has an automatic 4Runner, 1998, stock 4.30's, and 285x75's, and supercharged. No mods other than a lift, and that truck pulls just fine here in CO. Not as good as a 5 speed, but it'll get up and go when you put your foot down. He ran 265/75 E rated tires before this, and it really got going with those.
The fuel mods are nice, but not necessary. You will possibly run into fuel cut at the red line, but thats about it.
Tranny mods are for sportyness, but kinda ruin the ride comfort (lot harsher shifting, but some folks don't mind that).
He has 250,000 miles on the truck, and its still pulling strong. Gets about 16-18 mpg, mixed city/hwy.
I agree that your auto is likely masking the performance upgrade a bit, but I'm surprised you haven't felt more get up and go. Interesting, but I suppose its not a huge change.
I regeared my 5 speed 99 from 4.10 to 4.30, and felt that, but its also supercharged on 285's, so I was pushing larger tires with the stock gears. It got it back to the way it felt with 265's.
City_Rider
Adventurer
I am running 4.88's on my 3rd gen 4Runner with 35's and it seems to drive close to the stock capabilities. It's no rocket ship by any means but at least has enough grunt to pass on the highway and get up to speed while merging.
As for the RPM while cruising - taking in to consideration the speed change with the larger rolling diameter I cruise right around the 24,2500K mark as well. I wouldn't want to be running any higher and when I kick off O/D it gets the truck in to the mid range RPM where it has the power and boost.
I think that you will notice a difference when the valve body is changed. I just shimmed mine with some grade 8 washers (can't remember the exact height of the stack) but it gave the truck much firmer shifts and it doesn't feel as much like a luxury SUV.
How much does your beast weigh? I am set up with plate armour all around (front, rear, IFS, belly and gas tank skids) and my rig (auto, supercharged with 2.1 pulley and 7th injector) and I feel that the S/C is great for me but if the vehicle was lighter then a S/C wouldn't be as crucial. It sure is fun though.... Hurts the wallet but at least gas is cheap now.
austintaco
Explorer
My 03 Taco was getting heavy, and I regeared and put a locker in at the same time. My truck, a double cab had 255/85/16's, a flippac, ARB up front, and all Pro sliders and rear bumper. It was getting heavy and the downshifts on even rolling hills bugged me. When I did the gear swap, I also added a swing out carrier so it got a bit heavier too. What I noticed was that it did not have to downshift at all on rolling hills. However, I finally added the X code to my Scan gauge and started watching my transmission temps before and after the swap, and that's where you will make yourself happy. That being said, when I am loaded up with gear, dogs, bikes and wife, I turn off OD on hills. If you don't have a scan gauge, I highly recommend it. There was no seat of the pants improvement for me, but I am hoping it will add longevity and ability on the trail.
plh
Explorer
RPM, Tire Size, Speed Calculator. Works in Excel and Openoffice
http://www.ns-micro.com/~phanson/GearRatio_Truck_Jan15.xls
http://www.ns-micro.com/~phanson/GearRatio_Truck_Jan15.xls
Applejack
Explorer
***Update*** I just gave my 4Runner it's first real road trip test since the gear change. Some were suggesting that I should notice that it would hold a gear better when climbing hills, this isn't coming through for me. Actually, it hunts for a gear a lot more than it used to. Since the transmission is also new, it's possible that it is the reason. My old tired transmission was very slow to downshift and maybe why it seems like it shifts more now.? It used to downshift to third and that was all I got, meanwhile struggling to maintain 50mph. Now it will do 60-65 but it's shifting from 3-2 back to 3....back to 2 several times up the same pass, which is steep but not super steep or incredibly long for that matter. My fuel economy is still a very dismal 11.5 city/13.5-14 highway. I have yet to put it on a trail since the change so I can't yet comment on performance changes there.
I also have to have my rear gear set changed out. My mechanic has set the gears up 4 times now and can't keep them from howling. They became quite noisy on my 220 mile trip so he has ordered a new gear set to drop in.
I also have to have my rear gear set changed out. My mechanic has set the gears up 4 times now and can't keep them from howling. They became quite noisy on my 220 mile trip so he has ordered a new gear set to drop in.
I'm running 285/75/17, basically 34x11.50, Toyo MT's on my 4runner with stock 4.30 gears. These are heave at about 70lbs each. I get 14-16 mixed and can get 18 on highway alone. I think you're geared too deep for your tires. I switched from 265/70 to 265/75 and didn't notice any difference in performance. What RPM's are you turning at an indicated 70mph? My speedo is off, but at an indicated 64, which comes out to about 70, I'm turning around 2300.
