OVTune & 5.29 Nitro re-gear

So there is probably a thread already started on this however for the life of me I can not find it so here's the million dollar question, can you run a OVTune with Nitro 5.29 gears? if so has anyone done this and have they faced any adverse effects? Some affects that I have noticed with my stock 2017 TRD 4x4 Sport, this truck falls on its face in lower RPM ( I have read this is a common issue) and she stands up around 3-3500 RPM. Going up any kind of major grade she's constantly searching for gears and is always going back and forth between 3,4 when headed to the Mountain. On the flip side of this I am also towing a 16ft Glasspar ski boat during the summer, when the truck is under load everything feels smooth and I don't really expect the 3.5 to be a wrecking ball with a boat behind her. what I am looking to do is overbuild this truck even though im not expecting to push it to its limit. The plan moving forward after the tune and gears is wheel/tire (looking at 33's maybe 35's), chaos 3 in suspension lift up front with an added leaf in the rear. I have read that when mounting 35's or bigger re-gearing is a must.

With that said any and all input is appreciated, I am headed to the dealer to have the TBS-0062-18 flash as I have heard that is a solid starting point.

 

I wouldn't do it. My brothers cousin did it once and he went crazy. He was never the same again.

 

This is where you want to be https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...1-05-tune-development-thread.495735/page-2772

 

Thanks tacomarin

 

I’m going to chime in here. The ovtune thread is so busy and often sidetracked I found it impossible to get any good info. What you’re asking about is almost exactly my setup. I have 5.29’s, 6” lift, 35’s and ovtune. I also have a sport and tow a 4,500 lb trailer.
Answer is definitely you can run ovtune with the 5.29’s. Just use a 4.88 tune until mat releases a 5.29 specific tune. I’ve found the trick to drive better than stock in most every way with my setup. Tip in is very similar to stock with pedal commander on the first step above the bottom.
I haven’t towed a bunch yet but what I’ve done was similar in most respects although I did feel like there was more torque and having gear locking when towing helps gas consumption. If you run 35’s you will take a hit of mpg but with the gears and tune it’s not a huge hit. I lost about 2mpg on average. overall yes it’s doable and I have zero regrets. Love the setup.

 

Thanks @ncosper the OVTune thread is swamped and trying to get an answer to a specific question with any detail is hit or miss. I wasn't planning on running 35's as I just don't see a need to run that big ( also it's my daily and I live in beautiful Commiefornia gas is a step below 4 bucks lol), I have settled on the Revtek 905A 3" lift will keep the 17in wheel and run 33's with that said would you still recommend the 5.29? Really just gathering info before making a $1500+ decision as ill already catch the back hand from my girl about it lmao. I did take the Taco in for the TSB-0062-18 flash and that helped tremendously ill more than likely pick up the OVTune as I have read great things about it.

 

@ncosper also great looking truck .

 

For me, I have 33s and armor and I don't feel a need for new gears. Then again my tires are pretty light compared to other 33s and I don't have a cap or or a RTT. Just alum front bumper, sliders and steel rear bumper with swing arm. I still average 17-18mpgs in the winter and 18-19mpgs in the summer.

 

Thanks!
I really dont have much experience other than my own but if I were towing anything more than a couple thousand pounds I’d go for 5.29’s with damn near any size tire. These trucks have such weird transmissions with the overdrives that with 33’s you still eont be overdoing the rpms at highway speeds with the 5.29’s.

 

@rlx02 that's what I have heard and read 33's are about as big as you can go before noticing that you would feel needing a re-gear, however I'm wondering how this will affect towing. This would lead me to possibly lean toward 4.88's either way they cost the same.

 

@ncosper have you taken your truck in for the TSB correction?

 

I have only towed a few times on 33s and I only felt that it needed more power or regearing going up steep hills. I think the consensus is that 5.29s are better for towing, especially if you're going to go 33s. Have you read up on the mega thread?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-5-29-mega-thread.557305/page-105#post-22509141

 

@YotalovesTaco
Yeah I did update it. Was a nightmare trying to get the dealership to do anything on my truck since it’s lifted. Lied to me and told me it was updated when I knew better. Ended up download techstream and doing it myself. Was easier than driving to the damn dealership.

 

If I were you I’d call Ken aka zuk at gearinstalls.com and get his thoughts. He’s the gear guru and will definitely steer you in the right direction. He did my gears and is extremely thorough and professional.

 

@rlx02 Ill comb over the mega thread and see what else I can dig up, Im thinking for now ill run with the tune pick up my wheels and tires. I usually don't tow uphill as I live by our launch ramp however ill probably pick them up later.

 

My 2 cents... Skip the 35's unless you absolute have a need for them. Run a c load 33, Regear, then OVTune.

 

@aleriance that was the plan, I see a need as of now to go with 35's.

 

How? I really want to learn this as my dealer, though very good, is conservative on TSBs.

 

@ncosper actually that's a good question im rather curious how you did this as well?

 

It’s actually incredibly easy. I can give further instruction tomorrow when I’m at my computer but I found everything searching through the forum. The tsb’s are available for download and there are also links to tech stream through a number of posts. i had already purchased ovtune and was ready to flash when my dealer gave me a hard time. When they said no and I found tech stream it was a piece of cake. I was nervous as hell but it took a few minutes and things were updated and ready to flash with the newer Ov tunes.