Expertise welcome

Hey, I'm new here but not new to the Tacoma world. I recently traded in my older Tacoma for a 2019 TRD OR. I couldn't be happier to be honest. But I'm curious here, I'm Changing my interests. As my name suggests, I originally came from the desert. So fast and furious style. Now I want more climbing, overland, exploring, maybe up to 40+ MPH on washboard/uneven terrain. Stuff like that I guess. I'm reading everything from digressive/progressive and body/suspension. I'm interested in the above listed experiences and would like to fully fit a 33/35 inch tire based upon opinions here. I'm newish to the slow and steady world. Used to pit for terrible Herbst racing when I was in high school, so I'm experienced in one world. Please I would love any and all advice from the amazing Tacoma world people. I'm not really looking for budget, more do it right the first time type of dude. Sorry if I missed anything, and I thank you in advance for any information or opinions.

 

I think the best advice, is if you plan on going up in tire size, budget for a regear as well. These trucks have the right amount of power on 30” tires, but get sluggish with stock gearing on larger tires. Regear for the big boots. 4.88 gears for 33”s and 5.29 gears for 35”s is the general rule.

 

Awesome advice. I'll be honest, that was on my mind but you gave me exact ratios to consider. If you don't mind, what size tire do you recommend? And with what lift, given my desires my good sir?

 

I am in the same boat as you my friend. I am presently on 31’s but am considering upsizing. I realize I don’t want to do this without a regear, based on what my cohorts have experienced with this truck, and the info you read here. If I do upsize, I will probably be happy with 33’s, but I don’t want to do that on stock gears.

Some info (I’m an old guy too, but these young-uns know their stuff).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9DA2M3G7pqs

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DrG6qbraogg

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EHGhrBuo3sQ

 

Well I'm probably older than some here but I appreciate the knowledge and experience you bring regardless. Thanks a million for the resources. I'm in North Carolina so it's a bit late but I'll watch them first thing. I really do appreciate the help. Maybe we'll both learn a lot from this discussion once others get on.

 

Unfortunately, seems like most chatter on recent regearing is with the AT folks. They kind of breeze over the 6M in their discussions. I would really like to hear more from the 6M folks and what they have found has worked the best for a 33" tire. The math I'm finding says going from 30"/4.30's to 33"/4.88 will result in roughly a 60rpm increase at 65mph, which I find would be perfect for me. I don't drive much over 57mph on most occasions so that small of an increase in rpm won't be too noticeable. However, 33"/5.29 looks like about a 300 rpm increase, which would be a LOT more noticeable.

 

I went and looked at nitro gearing. Their website and videos go into great depth on this issue. If you haven't already I would highly recommend talking to them. I think the 5.29 will be what I go with regardless of the tire size I choose. Good for heavy weight too. You'll definitely get an RPM increase but a lot less than the stock gearing.

 

I would dive into the suspension forum. Lifts can be a can of worms and trying to fit 35s will take some work.

I have two threads about this. One about fitting 35s ad the other about 5.29 gears. Both searchable.

 

I don't understand your last note about RPM being less than the stock gearing. Can you clarify?
Are you manual or auto?
I will most certainly be chatting with Nitro when I get closer to making pulling the trigger, it makes total sense.
Would really like to hear from actual manual owners on what gears they are running and how they feel about them.
It seems like its mostly auto owners with content about gear changes (at least with the 3rd gens).

 

Hey, sorry about that. After reading it I can see the confusion. What I meant was given 33” or 35” tires, if you keep the 3.91 stock gearing you’ll have a much higher RPM increase than if you go 4.88 or 5.29. Now, from my understanding it’s maybe a couple hundred rpm more with 35” and 5.29 gears than you would normally see with stock gearing and tires. And the new gears get you within the ballpark of original MPG as well. And nitro is designed to use OEM parts/casing for the new gears as well so that’s always a plus in my book. And the kit seems to be around $1500 ish if you have e locker and 4 wheel drive both auto and standard. Also, I have the auto. I had a 2nd gen manual and wasn’t nearly as happy with it.

 

See, here is where it changes for us. You have an auto with 3.91 third member gears, where my manual is stock with 4.30s. Our ratios in the trans are different enough along with the third members to make it apples to oranges to some degree. Really hoping to find a thread here or some chatter from real-world experience with 4.88 vs 5.29 gears on the 3rd Gen manual, with various tire sizes, MPH/RPM, fuel economy, etc.

 

Added info for specific gears between Mt and AT

 

I feel like the requirements to get these trucks to run 35s becomes very expensive. Where as 33s with a few small modifications fit perfectly. Best to almost come up with a decisions and game plan before starting to dive into upgrades. I found 33s drive great with the stock gearing and almost calms down the transmission from searching for gears so much (If you drive AT)