Installed 4.88 Gears in my 2016

Any of you have a hum or whine after your regear? @honey

 

I was just told about this thread and just paged through the whole thing. I have my gears redone with Nitro 4.88 about two months back. Had the shop change the oil at 500 miles and love the way it rides compared to stock. I have 285 70 17's, and I was constantly fishing for Gears and anything over 60 miles per hour. Now it holds six gear pretty well unless I'm into a strong headwind or going uphill. Drives much better than it used to. Gas mileage didn't seem to increase and I also have a Hypertech calibrator which is needed for the tire size but not for the regear. Write about 2000 RPMs at 68 miles per hour. I do have a hum or wine anytime foot is on the accelerator. That was not there before the regear. He warned me that he normally used Yukon gears and for a reason, But Yukon didn't have gears so he agreed to use the Nitro, said that he got a good pattern and everything should be fine. Just have to live with a little bit of a humm. He told me when he was doing the regear that the shims were way different than stock and with Yukon they are always very close. No one that has ridden with me has noticed or commented. I know it's there because I know it wasn't before. If I don't listen for it, it doesn't bother me but if I do it bothers me a little. Wondering if anyone else has had this issue?

 

I had the issue with other gear swaps. It is usually caused by an incorrect backlash adjustment. Here is the backstory. The regear was on a 1987 Mustang. I used the best gear set I could get (Ford Racing). The spec said 8-12 thousandths for backlash. The gears were set at 8 thousandths. The pattern was good. I had slight gear whine on deceleration. Here is what should have been done: the backlash should have been 13-14 thousandths. I would never had known that unless a Ford Motor Company friend of mine clued me in to something that the gear manufacturer didn't know about the rear end. Interesting, huh? I adjusted the backlash out, and the hum was gone. Lesson: it takes a lot of research to get it right. Never trust one person or one company.

 

He made it sound like nothing could be done now. I have about 1700 miles on regear
I suggested it is shimmed a little to tight, because the noise is on acceleration.

 

May be a good idea to contact Nitro and tell them about the issue, see what they suggest. Then go to your gear guy with their suggestion.

 

Yep. I have to bring the truck back to him because they did the cab mount chop and cut back to close to the mount and I'm getting a squeaking noise, the new plate is right against the washer. Frustrating.

 

You have a MT or Auto?

 

Auto

 

I'm curious what the RPMs are at 70 on the MT in 6th gear.

 

Can't tell you on manual. Auto with 285 70 17 toyo's, 2000 rpm at 68ish. Just enough to use 6th Gear pretty decently now. I don't think 4.56 would have cut it. With a strong headwind or heading uphill it still can't hold 6 gear. But I am happier then before a whole hell of a lot. In normal conditions it holds gears much better now.

 

Following

 

Got my 4.88s done. Wow a much better punch in power. Seems to still shift but holds better. Around 2000 rpm's at 65 and 2300 in 5th gears @65.
Need more time before complete write up.
So far, it's a yes!!!

 

I'd say so. Nitro makes some nice stuff but the price is a bit steep comparatively speaking to other toyota differentials that have more options. I contacted Yukon, G2 and revolution about R&P sets for the new toyota 8.75". Yukon told me expect 2-3 years and I have not heard back from the others yet. I don't particularly want to but I'm about to pay up$ to Nitro since I have a feeling I'm gonna hate towing my trailer with the stock gears set and on 33s.

Also for those who haven't seen this here is a pretty cool tool for estimating your RPMs with tires and diff ratios.

https://www.ringpinion.com/calculators/Calc_RPM.aspx

 

Got a couple questions:

- What part of the warranty is reasonably voided? Can Toyota claim warranty voided on the transmission or engine?
I ask because I'm thinking the 4.88's would actually be less strenuous on the engine and transmission.

- Anyone else have the gear whine like honey? (@honey, I hope you get this resolved soon for your peace of mind).

I know it's only been a few days, but you still feel the same about the gears? Did it help with the gear hunting, or only marginally?

 

I'm still breaking in gears and haven't (really) got on the highway yet.
Still shifts but no where near what it used to. More seat of the pants power.

yes, yes, yes I would do it ....

 

In case anyone is interested an employee at 4wheel parts told me last week G2 is supposed to be releasing gears for the Tacoma next year. Not sure what ratio they'll be but thought I'd share for those looking for something other than 4.88.

 

Anyone would be a fool if you go less then 4.88s. I think 5.13s would be better.
4.88s really doesn't make it that low.

 

I'd love to see steeper options than a 4.88 gear. I think 4.88 is the absolute minimum for us. I'm looking forward to regearing but I'm going to wait it out and see what hits the market. I don't want to pay for this more than once.

 

Unless you have the manual. I guess 5.13 would work in the MT if you are only rock crawling in it. 5.13 would be crazy low for the MT.