Stupid questions concerning gearing

There are gaps in my knowledge concerning my 1997 Tacoma DLX. Please forgive my ignorance and stupid questions.

Anyway, the drivetrain system is something which I do not understand too well; that - the drivetrain system - is what I want to discuss here.

My VIN sticker reads B02A. My understanding is that means I have 3.58 gearing with two pinions, open differential, and 8" gear.

I am running 31.6" tires (265/75R/16) with a ~3" lift.

I mostly drive around town, highways, and occasional off-roading on logging trails and light snow.

I live in an area with many steep hills. The truck does not handle those well at all. If I do not maintain aggressive acceleration, I am screwed. People look at me like I am crazy when I pull out of underground parking garages because of the acceleration I must maintain. The clutch clearly does not appreciate these inclines. I stall the engine on steep inclines more often than I want to admit. I have been driving manual for a long time so I do not think this is simply the result of poor technique.

I am beginning to think re-gearing would behoove me in these situations. The trouble is - I just don't know how to approach this problem . . . . Please help . . .

Based on the above configuration (lift; tire size; driving style), what would be a helpful gear ratio for me? Can you share additional tips? Would it make sense to install some sort of locker or limited slip configuration in the rear, too, since the differential will be open anyway?

 

You are barking up the right tree. I assume you've added the larger tires over outta the factory config? I just did a quick search, and it does look like the later 1st gen 2.7L extend cab came with 4.10 or 4.30 with the 265/70/16 trd package. So that's where I'd start focusing. Calling a place the ECGS would be the next move in figure out what it cost to regear is, unless you have a local reputable diff shop you trust. If you can swing it, for sure adding a locker would be nice, but your options would be limited to aftermarket lockers with the ring gear you have. Another option would be to source a complete rear axle with the e-locker in it, swap that in, and then regear the front diff to match. Most of the e-locker rear ends should be 4.10.

 

Thank you so much, bud.

I am not the first owner of this truck. I believe the original tires when I purchased this truck were 29".

4.1 or 4.3 seem like good options. Anything above that might present different, frustrating issues for me (i.e. poor performance at high speeds). The raison d'etre of every modification to this truck has been - make this truck do a little bit of everything just well enough, i.e. city, highway, light off-roading, and light snow. I need to have satisfactory performance on the highway, around town, steep inclines, and light off-roading conditions. Any modification which pulls the truck too far in one direction is, to me, probably worth avoiding.

Regarding lockers, in keeping with the above intention for this truck, an air locker or e-locker would be most ideal for me. Truth be told, a locker might not make sense for me. Open differential but with a different ratio might actually be best.

 

Personally I would go 4.57 with your size of tire. I have the 3.4 and a manual trans and my gear ratio per the door code is 3.91. Kind of an odd one. That's also odd you have 3.58 in your 4 cylinder Tacoma. I also thought they came with 4.10 or 4.30 from the factory but like you said - maybe somebody in the past messed with it. I say 4.56 because I have done some research on the matter on this site and more often people go with the 4.56 or even 4.88. Good luck in whatever you do! Probably going to be next adventure with the ol' Taco.

 

My truck came with 4.10 stock. With 265/75/16 tires, it would do fine around town. When I hit up the mountains while loaded with stuff, it was a little annoying to drive. I don't recommend going 4.10.

I went 4.88 and now it feels like a brand new truck. 4.56 might be fine if you don't ever plan to go with bigger tires or increase your weight, like adding armor. Personally I'd just go 4.88 and kill those mountains lol

Either way you go, I'd definitely add a locker or LSD. If you do any kind of offroading, a locker would be better. An LSD is better than nothing though.

 

I wanted it to be a surprise for the community here but I am in the process of adding armor next month actually.

I am glad you guys are chiming in. These anecdotes are more helpful than hard data when it comes to gearing IMO.

If I get bigger tires, it will probably just be 33". Anything bigger than that - rubbing can become a problem when turning radius goes extreme.

 

I am certainly no expert, but it seems to me that with your stated complaints & wishes, you should try a smaller diameter tire say a 29" & see if there is any noticeable improvement. Going to a bigger tire is the wrong direction. Like going to 3.56 gears. Just my $.02.

 

I am not sure what the confusion is about so let me clarify.

B02A on the VIN sticker means that my truck came with 3.58 gearing from the factory.

A few comments above seem to imply that I consciously added 3.58 gears. I did not.

Lastly, there is absolutely no one going with a smaller diameter tire, lol.

 

Redneck adjacent? This guy must be in Arkansas or somethi…oh he’s right down the street from me. Lol

I would recommend 4.30 at a minimum, and 4.56 to 4.88 if you’re planning 33’s and armor. That 2.7L doesn’t do great with hauling a bunch of weight, so keeping it light should be a goal, but it also doesn’t mind high RPM on the highway.

I went from 4.10 to 4.56, now on 5.29 gears. A lot easier if you can get it right the first time.