Manual Transmission - 4.88 v. 5.29 - Go!

If I were you, call Nitro Gears and ask them! They will tell you manual can only regear to 4.88.

 

edit: After reading your OP again, I feel like 5.29 would be fine for you too. My second gen MT gearing is a bit different but with my 4.88 and 35s is basically the same as you'd be on 5.29 and 33s. I am intentionally overgeared with the intention of going to 37s. Being overgeared has its perks on and offroad, the only con being that my highway cruising speed tops out around 70 mph (2900 rpm). I can cruise at those rpm's for hours though with no issues.

Here's a comparison from this gear calculator. There's a lot more information on the charts than this but I feel like this is what people care most about, or at least it's an easy way for various folks to compare.

4.30 with 33s and you're at 2200 rpm in 6th at 70 mph. With 5.29s, you jump up to 2700 rpm in 6th at 70 mph.

If you want to maintain the ability to cruise on the highway any faster than 70 without screaming along, I'd stick with 4.88.

http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

The RC62F isn't on their drop down menu so I had to input the gear ratios manually.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_RC_transmission#RC60F

 

5.29 is available for MT as well, both e locker and non e locker. From Nitro even. Maybe they just don't recommend it due to the lower gearing of the MT.

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-2...-ratio-nitro-front-rear-gear-package-kit.html

 

They would be completely wrong. They may not suggest it but it is 100% possible and it would be a great ratio for any manual on 33’s+ wanting good performance.

 

2700 rpm at 70 MPH is hardly "screaming". That's exactly what a stock 2004 V6 5-speed manual Tacoma does in 5th. It's on the high side for sure, and doesn't need to be that high, but it's not going to hurt anything.

 

Definitely agreed there. 2700 at 70 is pretty much awesomeness in most vehicles with a 6 cyl. And fuel economy is hardly a concern too, I can throw it in 5th and get nearly the same mpg as 6th. The only time my fuel economy goes downhill in 5th is when I hit 80+ where it’s starting to rev like 3300+. Cruising at 70 at 2700-3000 is great and barely uses any more fuel than taller gearing and lower rpm, in my testing at least.

 

I know, my current truck cruises for hours on end at 2900 rpm, doesn’t mean everyone else wants to do the same. Plus some people’s cruising speeds are much faster at 80-85. My point being that if someone drives on the highway a lot and likes to cruise faster than 70, maybe 5.29s aren’t the right choice.

 

I just can’t fathom spending 2500-3000 for a “back to stock” regear. Stock is okay but it’s really not special. The truth is that mileage is going to suck at 80-85 regardless of rpm simply due to wind and aerodynamics. A bone stock truck only gets about 15-16 at 80 at best and that’s around 2700 rpm. Throw on 33’s and it will be worse no matter what rpm you run, and it’s not like 4.88 will be the “good mpg” choice while 5.29 is a “poor mpg” choice. The two are only 8% apart, the difference is like 150-200 rpm on the highway. All three ratios are going to get about the same (crappy) mpg at 80. If you want good mpg, 33’s and a truck are really not the right choice to begin with and choosing a lesser gear ratio isn’t going to help much.

consider the fact that this dude says he doesn’t even care about mpg and he may run 35’s and it brings me right back to saying 5.29s are a no brainer. Factor in the guys (even one on YouTube) who did 33’s and 5.29s and really like it and it’s not even really worth debating at that point.

 

When I was looking into regearing I just asked Nitro. I told them what all I had on my truck and tire size. My setup is really similar to yours OP, even have the same tires, ha. Nitro said 4.88 for MT and 5.29 for the AT because the "manuals aren't nearly as poorly gears as the automatic."

I'm happy with it for the most part. I still have to downshift when climbing in elevation though. Every now and then I have to drop it all the way down into 3rd but thats usually when the freeway is congested with RV's and toy haulers.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-5-29-mega-thread.557305/

I posted the drive ratios in post 2 to compare the AT and MT.

The biggest difference is 5th and 6th gear. I would base my decision on how you use those two gears.

 

I have a similarly equipped rolling brick on 35’s but in access cab. ECGS recommended 4.88 and I’m happy with it. It’s been 6 years and no regrets. Even towed 13,000lbs (gross truck+trailer) 4,700 miles.

mines a MT

 

Did you notice much difference from the stock 4.30. I plan to finally start my build and plan on running 35’s. Just curious if there is much gain from 4.30 to 4.88.

 

I'm running 5.29s on 34" (285/75/17) on a manual trans. no question. if you are wheeling and/or have weight, get 5.29s
I'd go higher if it were possible, but since not, I'm just trying to justify a doubler tcase so it's better when crawling.

that said, with my camper loaded up I am generally 10-13mpg on the highway going 70-80mph, but will get to 14-16mpg on backroads if I stay under 55ish