Regear, air-locker Question's

Okay so i have 2003 Double Cab With the 2.7 and 4.56's.
I'm really considering a regear and air locker. My truck is really sluggish with the 285's. The only thing im confused about is what ratio to go with. Idk if 4.88's is enough, and idk if 5.29's is to much. I would consider maybe a 305 if that would help with the 5.29's but if thats the case i may have to get fiberglass fenders to clear them since i have 881's up front. I'm just confused about which way to go.
Sugestions?

 

Do you wheel? Air lockers aren't cheap. $900 for the locker + you need to buy a compressor for it. You have a 2.7L, they are sluggish from the getgo.

 

Yes. Very often. Im just open in the rear right now. i thought about the powetrax but i want to have the option of cutting it on and off. and i believe in doing things right the first time.

 

If you have the cash, by all means. Do you drive much on the HWY? (Is the truck a DD) If so, I'd stay with the 4.56's you have. Save the cash on re-gear for locker's front and then later for the rear. A front locker will BE 50x more useful than a rear.

 

Yeah, its a DD, but its a preRunner. I just need a little more traction. When i convert it to 4x4 ill def lock the front also. I dont do alot of highway really, but when i do its miserable.

 

A prerunner... Well my work is done here lol

 

I'd think about it, it's still a pricey move. I had a powertrax in the rear of my truck for over 4 years. (Well not anymore, I blew it up being stupid as shit)

It worked great on the road. I loved it, I couldn't STAND being open, the truck is USELESS without a locker. Idk how people do it. Maybe look into mechanical lockers, unless of course you have plenty of money

 

Yeah I wouldnt even consider it if i knew it was gone be a prerunner forever. but this truck will be 4x4 here soon so i would like the arb relability.

 

Can't go wrong with an ARB. Best locker on the market absolutely.

 

Just a word about gearing.....

The higher the gears (higher number), the smaller and thinner the teeth become. The thinner they are, you lack strength (compared to lower gears)

 

5.29's.

 

With the tires i have or you think something a little bigger?

 

BUMP! I need some opionions with people with 5.29's, I have the 2.7l DC and 285's.

 

I'd go with 35s at a minimum.

 

That was i was thinking, so you think 4.88's would be fine with my 285's?

 

Do you ever plan to get 35s? Because if you do then get 5.29s. I have 4.88s with a 3.4 and 35s and it still struggles some.

 

Yes. With the tires you have.

You have the heaviest and most underpowered 95.5-04 Tacoma that was produced.

The 4.88's compared to 4.56's will only be a ~150RPM difference.
It will be a marginal difference and I would bet that you would kick yourself for not going to a lower gear.

With the 5.29's, you'll be closer to a 4-500 RPM increase compared to the 4.56's.


Play around with the calculator some and check the numbers for yourself.


IMO, go 5.29's or don't re-gear at all.
http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

 

We know how to drive right

 

Yeah im sure ill want to run bigger tires eventually, atleast by the time i get the 4wd conversion going. And since we are in the same area, do you know anyone that would do the air locker and gear swap?