Deciding on a Gear Ratio for Crawler.

I'll be purchasing a crawlbox in the near future and I'm trying to decide which gear ratio would be the most appropriate: 2.28:1 or the 4.70:1
There is a cost difference (4.7 is more $$ but not a huge one).
I was originally just going to go with the 4.70:1 because I have had the opportunity to drive a manual tacoma with one and it was amazing.
After having a few conversations with folks I come to learn that with this severe of a reduction immediately off the transmission you are putting a LOT of strain on the Transfer case.
I know this in not a very common modification but I'd like to get some additional input form other members.
2.28:1 or 4.70:1 ???
Thank you,
~ Craig

 

Is it switchable between the two, or do you just pick one ratio?

 

4.7's.

The Tacoma cases can handle it just fine. Knowing you and your truck, I don't think you'll ever be in a situation where you will have to worry about the 4.7's in front of the stock case.
Wyatt has been running a 4.7 case for years.. and we all know how he wheels.

I really don't see the point of going 2.28's. Your stock ratio is 2.56. You'll have more options with a 4.7.

 

It comes built with one or the other. When engaged along with the stock low gear in the t-case you then have a "compound low" gear.

 

I know - I've discussed this with him too.

I'm just looking for additional input but thank you for that point.

 

id go 4.7. the fj cases hold up fine to the 4.7 gears

 

Hmmm. I have no practical experience, but I can do math. Then the progression would be:

4.7 box:
2H 1:1
4H 1:1
4L 2.5:1 (roughly)
crawl 4H 4.7:1
crawl 4L 11.5:1 (roughly)

OR 2.3 box:
2H 1:1
4H 1:1
4L 2.5:1 roughly
crawl 4H 2.3:1 (no reason to bother with this combo)
crawl 4L 5.7:1

So if you pick the 4.7 box - and you're in a situation where you're worried about stress - you can just use the 4.7 combo in 4H and still be 2x lower than factory. But that crawl 4L with the 4.7 opens up that *reallly low* ratio you just won't get with the 2.3...

 

You just won the gold star.

 

The only additional piece I'd mention is that with the twin stick all the ratios are available in 2wd as well.

 

Ha!

I dunno man. When I was younger and had too much time on my hands I used to custom specify the gear cogs that would go on my bikes so I could get JUST THE RIGHT gear ratios. Didn't change the fact that I was still the slowest guy in the pack.

 

I do not crawl, and i offer NO experience whatsoever, but with my basic understanding of gears and this little gem of math, the 4.7 makes sense..... The 2.7 seems to waste/duplicate half of what it offers

 

DUDE!!!!

4.70:1!!!


Every single Crawler I've put in with the exception of 1 has been 4.7 and not one has broken an input shaft on the t case. And that includes first gen Tacoma's and a diesel Hilux in Australia. That THEORY,and thats all it is, has never been proven. Infact it's been disproven with all the installs we've done.
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This. It is false that the chain cases can't handle the extra torque. As Wyatt said it's been proven over and over.

My 2 cents would be if you have the money, and nothing else to spend it on, get the 4.7's. If there's anything else you could use the money on, use it on that instead.

At least for me, Midwest/east coast wheeling doesn't offer the traction to take advantage of the really low gearing offered by the 4.7/2.28 combo. We rely much more on wheel speed and momentum in situations than west coasters.

I have only used compound low once or twice since having it, because the traction just hasn't been there any time I have wheeled yet. Hell the dew we get in the morning is more precipitation that most of the west coast gets in a week, and that changes traction situations quickly.

Now that's just my opinion, and you have a manual which can benefit some more from lower gearing as my experience is with an auto.

 

Thank you all for the feedback!

 

another vote for the 4.7's

 

This is very true and should be considered in your choice. Location and the type of terrain your wheeling in could be a factory in your decision making process. If your in wet areas wheel speed is what you want. If your in rocky dry areas then torque and low wheel speed is what you want. However, if you have the money and plan on wheeling out west any then the 4.7's provide you with more options than the 2.28's will.

 

I've driven all over the country to wheel, so I don't really consider the build as a "region specific" type thing.
With all the experienced comments it's pretty obvious to me that the 4.70:1 is the best choice.

Now just have to wait until the end of March...

 

Just roll with the 4.7 why not right? The TC is more than ample to handle the added stress, Im running the lefty which I believe may be less strong and I have not had any issues yet.

 

4.7s and dont look back. I disagree with nwi, i wheel the same terrain and use double low all the time. If you need wheel speed you take it out of compound low and use either 4.7 or the stock low range.

 

You will hate yourself in the end if you don't get the 4.7 ratio.