Cheap boost or deep gears.

Got a 2rz that falls pretty flat on its face in my taco. Got a 97 extra cab 4x4. 3" lift. 33 inch 12.5 Ats. Topper . Engines got 155k but its a 2rz. Had a 3rz but after 289k a cracked head and smoked 3rd cylinder. A 2rz was all I dug up locally. But factory gearing I belive is 4.88 not sure. I know deep gears help.5.29s? But so would boost. 600 bucks would get me a cheap ebay turbo and manifold. And I'm guessing the same would get me gears and all the works. Yukon gear? Any ideas? I'm only planning to go bigger on tires. 35s probably. And a TG taco axle hosing for a SAS one day. Ultimately want to keep it as my main daily. Any help would be dandy. Lots of wickedly smart & talented folks on here.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Turbo-Mani...rbo-for-Toyota-2RZ-FE-3RZ-FE-ST-/282709744288


This is the kid I'm looking at. Figured its a roll of the dice on ebay parts. But studing the head and some larger fuel injectors. Maybe would eat up 5 lbs. Just a thought

 

I’m going to guess that a $600 Turbo kit isn’t going to get you any low end torque. (If it does much of anything good)

Are you sure you have 4.88 now?
I thought they came with 4.56 or 4.10, but I could be wrong?

 

It came as a single cab 4x4 4 cy 5 speed from 97 if that helps. I wonder if it's 4.10s 5th gear is pretty much useless unless on flat ground ha

 

Take a look at the VIN sticker on the door jam.
It will tell you there, look here to decode it.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-gear-ratio-chart.365138/

 

Do not pay attention to the tyranny of “or”!

Awaken to the power of “and”!

 

I’m pretty the max gear in a 1st gen was a 4.56. Pre Tacoma’s could get 4:88s stock.
If you have the money to consider 5:29 gears, I would spend $800 on a wreck 4Runner and 3.4 swap it

 

Good to know. I haven't ever had the front or rear dif apart on this yet. Haven't needed to. I'll have to look into a gear set.

 

I've definitely thought bout a 3.4 swap. My pickup has been through a lot tho. Wrecked twice. And rolled once. Cut in half. Then reincarnated into what it is now. Id like a double cab one day so probably just keep my eyes out for somthing that's a Better platform to build. This is just a good beat around truck that looks neat with a cool paint job. But is excessively under powered.