What do I need to know about regearing

Hey everyone,

I'm not sure if this is in the right subforum, so I apologize if this needs to be moved.

I have a 5th Gen 4Runner and I am considering doing a regear to 4.56 ratio. I know it's not a Tacoma, but close enough and this question is moreso about regearing in general.

I've been reading everything I can about regearing, and I only see people giving positive feedback about it. Can anyone tell me if there is any potential downsides to it? Or anything else I need to know besides the break in procedure and that it is expensive?

I'm mainly concerned with premature wear and tear on the vehicle. So what I'm looking for is information like:

-Higher rpms mean you should switch to a different weight engine oil, or more frequent oil changes. (example)

-More stress on transfer case. (example)

The 4Runner is pretty heavy, and will be getting more weight added soon along with 33" tires. I already have a rear E-locker, and don't need a front locker. I do all my own work on the car, but if I were to go with the regear I would have it done by ECGS (I live within a reasonable distance to them).

Thanks in advance for any input

 

First, why do you want and need to change the gearing? What do you think it will accomplish? What’s your driving routine like , commute, mixed daily driving, highway, off road ??

 

I've seen lots of complications even from reputable shops. Noises, leaks, hard 4WD engagement.

The front diff is difficult for some to regear properly because you have to set backlash then reassemble to check it.

Personally I only suggest it to those with 34" tires or bigger.

 

No need to regear unless you have 34" or bigger tires.

Most 4runners with stock gear, are fine while off roading.

If you don't go off road at all, then why you need to regear? Not making sense unless you go with big tires route. Besides, it's your truck and your money... you get whatever you want.

 

I’m not 100% set on regearing. I’m just looking to get as much info about it as I can. Everyone I talk to, and every forum thread I find on the topic has everyone saying that the only negatives to regearing are that it’s costly, and your RPM’s go up.

Now for why I am considering doing it - I do a lot of desert driving when I’m out West, and the 4Runner gets loaded down with lots of extra cargo weight. I don’t have an exact weight number, but it definitely gets sluggish. Right now I only have a Gobi rack (~100 lbs) and factory sized E load tires on it. I don’t plan to add a ton more weight to it. I may add a hybrid bumper and winch in the future, and my next tires will be 255/80.

At the moment I’m on the East Coast and driving up the mountains the 4Runner obviously struggles.

I don’t do any rock crawling. The best description of off roading I do is trails with thick sand or relatively sharp rocks to get to camping spots; I have had to use 4-lo on trails.

I figure if the regear helps put less strain on the transmission and engine, then it might be a good upgrade. Another reason I’m considering doing it is cause I’m pretty close to ECGS, so they could do the install. The way I see it is if I do go through with a regear, the best opportunity would be now before I move back west.

As said before, I’m trying to know what I don’t know. I’ve found plenty of nightmare stories from people that installed superchargers, for example. And I know others that had big problems after an ECU tune. I’m not seeing much horror stories from regearing.

Thanks everyone for the responses, I appreciate it.

 

I think downshifting would be a better solution for you than regearing...