Gearing Question

Not really flat here, and even up north where there are lots of hills, I've never had a problem or thought that the truck was a "dog". My 285's are "E" rated.

 

4.88s. Are way over kill for what you want. I rev 2k on 37s at 55 and the truck has plenty of power

 

Can you go into more depth @hilux30 about lugging the engine? In town I drive 40-45 in overdrive which is about 1300 RPM. Sometimes even 35 MPH at 1100-1200 RPM if I'm going through neighborhoods or backroads. This is as slow as it can go in overdrive. I never heard this was bad?

Those E-rated tires probably killed it. That's not so much a gearing issue as a weight issue. Rotational mass puts more load on the engine than hauling mass by a large factor.

 

Can you go into more depth @hilux30 about lugging the engine? In town I drive 40-45 in overdrive which is about 1300 RPM. Sometimes even 35 MPH at 1100-1200 RPM if I'm going through neighborhoods or backroads. This is as slow as it can go in overdrive. I never heard this was bad?

Those E-rated tires probably killed it. That's not so much a gearing issue as a weight issue. Rotational mass puts more load on the engine than hauling mass by a large factor.

 

I just pulled the trigger on an ARB rear locker and 4:56 gears from ECGS. Can't wait!

 

You're stoked! Enjoy those!

 

I am, thanks!

 

Lugging is when you converter is locked below 1800-2000 RPMs with 40%+ power load, so it's not bad of you're easy on it and not loaded or towing around town with partial smooth throttle inputs. I run a cap, toolbox w/tools, skid plates and few other things (and 265/75s), so I scale at 4980lbs not towing anything, It's wiser to stay in 4th for me where I reduce the amount of torque on the drive-train...

Damage tends to be long term. Worn Transmission bearings, crank bearings/seals, U-joints, diff bearings etc etc.. anything rotational and under acceleration load will have uneven forces on whatever they're spinning on..
Severe and fast damage can happen when towing in overdrive.
Not saying this is exactly what's going to happen to all the trucks, but it's more preventive for rigs reaching 200K miles and so on..

E rated BFs are known to 'drag' more and knock out 2-3mpgs.. a bit overkill for the Tacoma, but not much of a choice when you run good tires.. what PSI you guys running?