Gear ration question

I am currently driving a (bone stock) 97 Tacoma reg cab 4x4 V6 5spd, & just bought the exact same truck only in Ext Cab for more room. However the Ext Cab I just bought seems to be turning a lot higher rpms at the same highway speed as my reg cab. It makes a slight whining sound when going thru the gears but nothing that sounds like a mechanical problem just seems to turn up a lot faster n higher than my other although they r both the exact same year, engine, tranny ect.....Any body tell me what I have here and/or if I have a problem?
Thanx,
Steven

 

Open your Drivers Door look on the body side not door side. Should be a sticker there with your VIN # and some other numbers and letters.
For ex. my code is B03A B= 8" ring gear 03= 4:10 A= 2 pinion open

Sittingbull2
Look here
Gear Codes

From Faq


THIS CHART IS FOR '95.5-04 MODELS ONLY!

The axle code for your rig can be found on the manufacture's sticker located on the driver's side door jamb as follows:

First digit:

• A = 7.5" ring gear
• B = 8" ring gear

Next two digits:

• 01 = 3:42
• 02 = 3:58
• 03 = 4:10
• 04 = 4:56
• 05 = 3:15
• 06 = 3:91
• 07 = 4.30

Last digit:

• A = 2 Pinion, Open
• B = 4 Pinion, Open
• C = 2 Pinion OEM Limited Slip

some '98-00 models have shown a BO code of "???" on the door plate; so far this turns out to be a 3.91 gear ratio, at least for the 5sp. RZN171L-CRPDKAB with factory 31s/265s should be 4.56 with the AT.
Edit by Ed Quinones on 10-7-05: I used to own a 99 Prerunner ext cab 2.7L with auto tranny and gear code of B07A. It came from the factory with a 4.56 gear ratio.

 

Nice chart and good info. thanks.

Mike

 

K thanks for the info, I'll check them both tommorrow, I kno they will be different. So if the new one is geared lower that means less gas mileage, how much to do do a swap & what would u reccommend for 90% highway driving, also where's the best place to find replacements?
Steven

 

What rpm's are you at around 60 mph? If it is geared numerically lower you will get better highway mpg's (lower rpms) but less torque, if its numerically higher then you have more power but more rpm's also. I regeared to 4.88s and it cost about $500 for the front/rear assuming your 4wd. If your 2wd then the ring and pinion with an install kit is only like $250 for the rear. I did the install myself but if you took it to a shop itd be some pretty good dollar signs to get everything done.

 

Thanx Austin for your help, mine doesnt have the tach in the cluster so I need to pic up an aftrmrkt to c what my rpms r running. Is ther n e where u can get aftrmrkt cluster with a tach built n, Id like to b able 2 c what my rpms r all the time n e way. Also I wanna put about 4" of suspension lift n some taller tires can n e one give me some leads on which ones r best and where to get m, mines a 1997 Xt Cab V6.
Thanx
Steven

 

I would say get a cluster from another tacoma that has a cluster. But make sure if you get one that the tacoma has the same motor/tranny that you have now. And i think 2wd/4wd matters too. You dont wanna lift a 4x4 past 3" because of the cv angles, it will cause a lot of wear on the boots and youll end up replacing them pretty often. Theres tons of options for a 3" lift for ours. Most people run Bilstein 5100 shocks from downsouth motorsports with Eibach coils from toytec.com which will give you a little over 3" of lift.

 

man why can't people just talk normal anymore..


x2 on the 4'' lift though. Can't happen unless your a prerunner.

 

What do ya mean by what you said {man why can't people just talk normal} ? I try to help whoever I can in life and tell them what I believe is right and tell them in laymen terms. Cause I ain't that smart at all myself or sometimes I don't understand what people say with there texting crap in those short words.
I guess I am just ol school or just a old fart. and I don't mean to offend you or anyone on here.

Sittingbull2

 

haha no not you man. The OP..

 

thats cool man.

 

Ok guys I checkd both Tacomas today my reg cab has an B03A=410 gear ratio, my Xt Cab has an B06A=391 gear ratio, so now I'm beginning to wander if previous owner has changed the gears. I bought Xt Cab from a widow who's husband was a retired fireman who passd a few mths ago, she said he had it for 10 yrs n had only put around 15k miles on it since he bought it, but to her knowledge hadnt modified it, just used it 4 hunting. Dont know who had it b 4 him n not sure if I cant trace it back n find out. The Xt Cab def seems to b turning up a good bit higher, so how method does one use to figure out just whats under it?

Hey austinramsay if I use the Bilstn 5100 n Eibach coils on the front and just the 5100'sn the back or do I need an add a leaf or axle block kit for the rear.
Thanx
Steve

 

well you can mark drive shaft with soap stone or chalk back by the rear end and mark rearend with the marks matching drive shaft and mark your tire at 6 o'clock position rotate tire one revolution and count how many rev's your drive shaft goes around per one rev. of the tire. Ex. one rev. of tire and your drive shaft goes 4 rev's it is a 4:10 rearend and if it goes 4 and a half rev's you probably got a 4:56 if it goes about 4 and a 1/3 rev's you got a 4:30 geared rearend it's close by judging but not exact. The other way will be to drop driveshaft and pull your 3rd member out of the rearend

 

Lol x2..

I doubt he regeared it if he didnt do any other mods. Yes use 5100s/eibachs on the front. But for the back call downsouth motorsports and theyll tell you which shocks you need for the back in the correct length. You need to tell them if your lifting the back, or not. You need to make up your mind before you buy the rear shocks though obviously. Give em a call!

 

Thankx AR for your info on the lift, I'll give the guys @ DSS a call.
As far as previous owner I what u said bout regearing w/o other mods makes sense. I can't put my finger on it yet but there is som n really different bout these two trucks other than the small difference between a 410 n one and 391 n other. When I fig it out I'll post a thread n let you guys know, it'll come to the surface soonr or later, hell it'll worry the shit outta me till I fig it out n e way. Thanx you guys for all ur help this is a great site if ur a Toyota lover like myself.
Thanx

 

Ok u guys I'm really excited about liftn my Tacoma but I want 6 inchs of lift n I kno the rule is no more than 3 inchs of it can b suspension. I assume the other 3 inches can only come from a body lift, if this is correct, which brand do I use n where is the best place to get it?
Thanx
Steve

 

Some people say body lifts arent safe and they ride worse. Are you sure you wanna go 6 inch? Theres a lot of badass trucks on here that have 3" lifts, but its your truck and if you wanna do 6, more power to ya man! honestly i do like the 6" lift just for looks but id never use a body lift or drop bracket lift for the kind of offroading i do.

 

Ok guys if I go with the Bilstiens n the 3 inch lift what r the largest tires I can run? Also can n e 1 tell me who makes n where to get som tall skinnies, I want som 33-34 inchs hi n 850 to 950 wide. I found som BFGoodrich all terrains that r 33x950x15 but the treads not quite as aggressive as Im look for.
Thanx

 

Please take the time to spell words out if you want us to take the time to read it and answer your questions. Its not that hard to spell out the words

 

I went 6" suspention and 3" body with a re-gear to 4:88s so I could roll 35x12.50R15s (I could do 37's)! There are sooo many options out there with so many different configurations to do it! Everyone is different, and everyone will tell you "the right way" to lift your truck. Just be sure to stick with what YOU want, man, when you actually do mods to your own truck! Good luck, and keep wrenchin'!