Which Gear Ratio to use?

So which ratio should I choose for my 95 4x4 2.7L automatic?
Right now it has 31's, but it will soon have someting in the neighborhood of 33's on it, maybe a little bigger. It currently has 3.73's in it I believe and its 10.4% overdriven as it is. I tow a trailer with this rig through the mountains so I would like to go a little lower than whatever would compensate for 33's. According to my calculations 4.10s would correct for the 31's and 4.56s would a little more than compensate for 33's. I am wondering about going with 4.88s but I am concerned they mauy be too low.
Any speculation or experiences would be apreciated.
Does anybody have a body lift they would recommend?
Do you have any suggestions on how to coax more powere out of the 3rz without going to forced induction?
Also does anyone know if it is kosher to add a small spacer on top of Bilstein 5100s cranked all the way up, like one that would add just an inch or so of lift?
Thanks

 

Can't say from any experience regearing, but this calculator might help
http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

 

On the gear ratios I would say a 4.56 would be about right if you are going to running 33 inch tires and towing a trailer. As for your question about the lift. Running a top plate spacer is ok with the 5100s as long as the spacer you are referring to is in the 1/4 thick range. Also, you would want it to be on top of the strut assembly, not inside the coil pack.

 

you could go the 1/2" thick range giving the 3/4" additional lift for the spacer

 

I also have a 2.7l 1st gen, but my gearing is 4.10 stock with 32's on it.

It works okay...but I really want 4.56's to get better gas mileage around town and more grunt offroad.

Everybody says to get headers, so that's what i'm going to do to get more power out of my little 3rz.

 

Thanks to all of you for your input, especially afd23a. That gear calculator was really helpful. I have decided to go with 4.88s. This is not going to be my daily driver so gearing it a little lower is not that big of an issue.
I ordered a set of polyurethane spacers that are supposed to provide an inch of lift.
I am building a winch bumper and I will post some pics if I can.
To Sachou: I put a doug thourley header on my 3rz and I found that it did not really add top end power but rather brought a good deal of power down to the 2000-4000 rpm range which is exactly what I was looking for. Northwest Offroad makes a header that they clai to be superior to all others and it does not require a gasket. I would check them out, I was unable to put one on my truck because the NWOR header does not carry a CARB number.

 

I'm glad it was helpful

 

Here is another table you could use also..
http://www.4lo.com/calc/geartable.htm

 

Chris this is what I found on my door, How do I translate that to a gear ratio..
A02A\R155F
Thanks man..

 

Hmmm, Here I thought all 6 lugs were 8", Looks like I need to step up to at least 4:11's by the chart I posted. I do have manual trans with 33's..
Thanks man..

 

Whoo Hoo! that makes me fell better, Thanks for the update..

 

You are correct Chris, this is some info I dug up..
This is what toyota has for specs on a 4X4 2010
Final axle ratio - MT4.1
Or you can go here http://www.toyota.com/tacoma/specs.html
I googled my 06 and all the sites I found with specs say
4.1:1 axle ratio

 

A big ol write up on the gear swap is a must now.

I expect to see R.P.M.s on the freeway before and after , a locker installed , Faux accident with a yugo under a wheel , oh yea 0-60 before and after

I like my stock 4.10 with the 245 series (30" or so), I do sorta wish it came with something like 4.33 though, that wouldn't be too high for the freeway.For What little off-trail riding i do, I go to 4lo for idling in 1st gear. why regear for that 8-12 mi. a year in my case.

 

All this talk about gear ratios....

 

Toyota did a good job on these reg cabs overall in my opinion, but for trucks a lot comes down to first gear/gear ratios, they should have a fairly low gear for towing/idling offroad. I'd love the manual 5 spd to add a gear at the low end for that.

 

Okay, so my axle code is B03A, 8" 4.10 ratio, open carrier.
I have purchased 4.88 ratio Precision Gear rings and pinions, and the Eaton Kazuma TRD limited slip unit. I am also building a pretty beefy bumper so I guess I should document the swap process and the crushing of a small import car.