Project Alpha Bound - 1985 4Runner Adventure Truck Build

[Sempertoy]

Also just a side note. I want to show you the picture that made me fall in love with first gen 4runners. I hadn't really considered his proposal for a trade very seriously until I saw this. I then proceeded to read your entire thread. Thanks.

This my potential next vic. This is pre SAS and lift. Looks like its in great shape!

 

[TangoBlue]

I disagree with changing gears from 4.10 to 4.56; just won't be worth it. And you really have to be careful about using that on-line gear chart. It serves as a guide but is not based on our Toyota trucks, engines, or transmission types. I nearly made the mistake of going 4.56 to 4.88 and I'm greatly relieved that I didn't and here is why...

The real problem to conquer is the engine/transmission combination. Let me give you an example with experience from my truck with it's 2.7/AT. With the OE configuration of 31s/4.56s it works extremely well...but...go bigger and you can never get back to the same power ratio...regardless of regearing. The motor just doesn't have the power with a 4sp AT. I was 33's with 4.56 and it was an absolute dog with fuel economy that would startle an F-350 owner. After re-gearing to 5.29s, and on 33's with an OME 3" suspension at the time, I returned to my stock power and fuel economy (20). I now run 35's and SAC'd but still run the 5.29... and still have the power albeit worse fuel economy, decreased due to height/weight (17-19).

So, while a 4.56 gear will get you right back to OE configuration with 33s on a graph it does not allow for the real world added aero drag, weight gain of larger tires, armor, camping load, etc., that are part of lifting these trucks and adding bigger tires... hence the recommendation to 4.88 gears, assuming you have the 3.0/MT.

This is well-documented in many forums over the years like TTORA and ExPo, and is the subject of pages and pages of debate and actual experience. I urge you to research before laying out your treasure for new gears.

I predict - you will kick yourself after going through the hassle of re-gearing to 4.56, but that's IMHO. Good luck with what you decide.

 

[ab1985]

Looks like an awesome 4Runner! Be sure to start a build thread when you bring her home. Glad you are enjoying mine (I swear I'll update it soon).

 

[blakeape]

I agree with Tango Blue about the re-gear, go at least 4.88. I had 4.88's with 33x10.50R15's behind a 235K mile 3.0 5spd and liked it. I also ran 4.88's with a 3.4 on 33's, 35's and 37's. Definitely could have used 5.29's when I went to the 37's. With a 22re I would definitely go 5.29's if you ever see 35's in the future otherwise 33's and 4.88 are a good combo IMHO. The more weight you carry the deeper I would gear.

 

[ab1985]

Sempertoy got me thinking about my old truck. I started digging for pics, but they must be on my old laptop. This is the only one I could find. Man, I loved that taco.

 

[Sempertoy]

Tangoblue, thanks for shedding some light on the subject. I am rather new to the hobby/sport and can use all the information possible. I'll start saving for some 5.29's right meow.

Alpha bound. I feel like I have intruded on your build thread and I apologize. I should have taken my questions to a more appropriate thread or just PM'd you. Sorry cluttering your beautiful thread. The taco looks great just like that :victory:

 

[NorthernWoodsman]

I am also just a little confused. I was under the impression that running a higher gear ratio would improve gas mileage AND power.. I will need to do some research as well. From what it looks like you are running a newer 4 runner espc. With that 17 gallon tank. If you are running 33's I would recommend 4.56 gears. I have talked to a lot of guys that run that tire/gear size with their tacoma's. Here is a link to a thread I started on TTORA and it includes a useful gear chart on the second post. Good luck with your decision!:sombrero:
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179023

From my earlier research people I talked with suggested 4.88's. Maybe that was because they are easy to find? It seemed that folks were saying that the 4.88's would get me my power and mileage back and somewhat correct my speedo. From the math that I've done (via an equation someone on here gave me) I should use 4.83 gears and run 33's to retain close to stock power, mileage and speedo reading. Of course 4.83 gears don't exist. However, I was just talking to a guy who builds and wheels Toyota's and he said that to run 32-34" tires I should have 4.56 gears while if I ran 35-37" tires I should run the 4.88 gears. That just doesn't match my math though.

By the way, I drive 94 xcab pickup with the 22RE and 5-spd.

Does anyone have a definitive answer on this whole tire, gear, transmission quandry?

......ooops. I didn't see the last page of this thread before I posted. So, it sounds like everyone here is suggesting the same thing I had heard early on on this forum. 4.88's make sense to me from a mathematical standpoint, but i hear you on real world conditions too. I usually travel light, but do want some more goodies in the future. I will never see bigger than 33's on my truck and hopefully will be able to afford to upgrade to a 3.4 or diesel one day. But, for now, my recently rebuilt 22RE serves it's purpose dang well. Slow for sure, but it gets me there just fine. And I'm not usually in a hurry anyway. I just REALLY want my power and mileage back. Gearing is a ways out still for me financially so I have time to research this further before spending all my coins on them.

Sorry for the thread highjack....now back to your regular programming.

 

[TangoBlue]

Tangoblue, thanks for shedding some light on the subject. I am rather new to the hobby/sport and can use all the information possible. I'll start saving for some 5.29's right meow.

No worries - that's what's good about this forum and how we learn.

 

[TangoBlue]

Does anyone have a definitive answer on this whole tire, gear, transmission quandry?

See post #92 for my definitive opinion...

......ooops. I didn't see the last page of this thread before I posted. So, it sounds like everyone here is suggesting the same thing I had heard early on on this forum. 4.88's make sense to me from a mathematical standpoint, but i hear you on real world conditions too. I usually travel light, but do want some more goodies in the future. I will never see bigger than 33's on my truck and hopefully will be able to afford to upgrade to a 3.4 or diesel one day. But, for now, my recently rebuilt 22RE serves it's purpose dang well. Slow for sure, but it gets me there just fine. And I'm not usually in a hurry anyway. I just REALLY want my power and mileage back. Gearing is a ways out still for me financially so I have time to research this further before spending all my coins on them.

ROFL! I wish I had a nickle every time I said that... with all that money I'd be filling my 2001 Tacoma fuel tank with ULSD to power my transplanted 1KD D4D!

 

[ef9turbo]

Awesome thread! I remember riding around in family member 4 runners, not knowing the capabilities of this thing! I love your 4R and what you've done to it! It's definitely a sexy beast! Great job!

 

[corax]

Gearing is a ways out still for me financially so I have time to research this further before spending all my coins on them.

Toyota used the same 7.5" front IFS diff from '86-'95, the rear 8" diff has been used forever (pre 80s-late 90s?). In the early 90's they had 4.56 and 4.88 gear ratios in the 4runners. My first regear from 4.10 to 4.56 cost less than $50 because I ran around a U-Pull-It junkyard looking at axle codes on the door jamb sticker of many 4runners

Sorry for the thread highjack....now back to your regular programming.

. . . likewise.

Oh yeah, when doing fuel economy math with a different gear ratio and/or tires, don't forget to take into account that the odometer is off and that will skew your math. BTW, I run 4.88s with 33" tires, my speedometer is dead accurate and I hover right around 20mpg with mixed driving

 

[PirateMcGee]

Let's clear up some 22re powered regearing stuff. The taco is a different beast and mixing together the optimal gear ratio for taco vs. truck/runner is down right confusing lol...

4.10's = stock w/ 5spd, good for stock tires up to 30's, ok for 31's depending on hills/altitude
4.56's = stock w/ 5spd and 31" tire package on V6 second gens, direct swap into 4.10 housing, for 31's ok for 32's
4.88's= stock w/ auto and 31" tire package on V6 second gens, direct swap into 4.10 housing, for 33's
5.29's - aftermarket, good for 35's

 

[ab1985]

^^^ This sounds very reasonable to me.

 

[NorthernWoodsman]

Let's clear up some 22re powered regearing stuff. The taco is a different beast and mixing together the optimal gear ratio for taco vs. truck/runner is down right confusing lol...

4.10's = stock w/ 5spd, good for stock tires up to 30's, ok for 31's depending on hills/altitude
4.56's = stock w/ 5spd and 31" tire package on V6 second gens, direct swap into 4.10 housing, for 31's ok for 32's
4.88's= stock w/ auto and 31" tire package on V6 second gens, direct swap into 4.10 housing, for 33's
5.29's - aftermarket, good for 35's

This sounds reasonable to me as well and sounds like what I was told originally on here. Thanks for posting that info.

Corax- you're right, it shouldn't cost too much to get the parts used I would think. But, then again I have seen 4.88 geared axles for sale on craigslist for $300 for the pair. Not terrible, but still more than I have right now. If I can get some help when it comes time to install I should cut costs there too...and I hope I get help because I think regearing might be out of my current skill set and I fear the cost of paying someone to do the work.

 

[PirateMcGee]

man you guys need to hook a southern OR guy up! Third members run about $250 a piece down here eeek! If anyone runs across some CHEAP 4.56's let me know.