Taller gears wanted

New member w/ 04 V6 4WD X Cab and stick.

Love the truck but.......my old 2WD 4cyl Automatic got 28-30mpg on highway. I am afraid my weekly long trips (100mi + ea way) are going to bankrupt me.

I have B03A diff gears which are 4.10s or so I am told. Anyone out there with 3.73 or similar gears they want to sell? The front diff code would be A02A and the rear diff code would be B02A.

I am ready to buy today. Please email or PM me.

Thanks in advance.

Len

 

Perhaps you have thought of this, but don't you need to change the gear ratio in the front axle as well if you change the rear? If you didn't, I think you'd have to much separation in the gear ratios.

Unless of course you don't use 4 wheel drive or disconnect the front driveline. But then why would you do that, off roading is part of the fun.

 

Anywhere from 16-20 mpg is what you should expect with the v6. Maybe up to 21 or so on the highway. I don't think taller gears will do you much good. The v6 will never get 28-30mpg.

 

Yeah, with 4WD you will need gears front and rear.

I have the same truck as you but in an automatic and I'm looking to go to from 4.10 to 4.88. I think most people want to go this way and not the way you're looking to go. Good luck though.

 

If you have 33s or larger tires you actually improve your mileage by going the other direction to 4.56s or 4.88s. Either that or go back to stock sized tires, 31s or smaller.

 

Everything is original, w 31" tires & 4.10 gears front & rear. I will check mileage over the first few tankfulls, but 99% hi-way driving for me.

I am building a cabin in the woods of NH, and my 2WD 4cyl could not get up my steep driveway unless I loaded it w tools & stuff. And that was during the summer. Very happy I have this new one (to me), but improving the fuel mileage is a must.

Anyone out there have a pair of tall 3.xx something 8in diffs? Buying new from Toyota is out of the question. Is there a chart somewhere showing the optional gears that might match my needs?

Len

 

This should be exactly what you need to figure out what gears you need/want.

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

 

If you go taller gears you may put the motor under too much load and actually decrease fuel mileage. Just a thought.

 

I will keep a careful eye out on my fillups & miles. Guess the best I can hope for is around 18mpg. I have stick & cruise so that should help. Looking at wheel & tire combinations that may help as well.

Bot this w 60k miles but needing minor work. Going to the dealer tomorrow for a few things. I will ask about the service history and the cost of new diffs then. Probably in for a shock.

Will post my results.

Thanks to all.

Len

 

It's not true that you have to have the same exact gears front and rear.
I believe as long as your within 12% of the other gear you are ok.
I wouldn't suggest this for 4hi for to long but in a situation as yours where your front and rear tires are slipping quite a bit, its ok.
Do some research but am fairly certain this is true. Call east coast gears.

Edit: the only reason I would do this was if I was low on cash and just wanted to pick up a set of rear gears for now, fronts later on.

 

I have 358 front and rear diffs. Came off 95.5 though. Don't know about application on 04. Maybe you do since you are in 1st gen forum. Had to run 15 inch to keep mpg reasonable. Now running 456 and tire size going up. Rpms close to 3000 at 65. Ugh.your code B03A is 8 inch ring gear 4:10 2 pinion open. So your source was correct.

 

With my truck on 30" tires with 3.91s I get about 22 hwy

 

I'm surprised you're only getting 18mpg with a stock Tacoma with only ~60k miles on it...

I could get 22 when mine was stock with 120,000 miles. I wonder if there's something else causing you to get such low mileage, because I can make mine get 18mpg the way it sits now if I try.

 

With my 02 I would get between 22-24 mpg on the hwy. 17-19 in and around town. I read somewhere once that all cars are geared for best mpg from 40-60 mph. Also if you do this on the highway then set your cruise control and stay in the slow lane. haha When you are sipping for best mpg past average then any aggressive driving kills it. There are extreme guys out there that time street lights and go to neutral and switch the vehicle off going down hills. They can get some pretty crazy numbers. But remember with the vehicle off power breaks and steering go away and if you haven't driven without them then you are in for a surprise. Don't change gears though test different size tires first, then think about what gear that would equate too. Or get a tool to adjust your computer to re correct your speedometer. Remember though one direction will give less torque for around town making poopy mileage there and the other direction will give you poopy mileage on the highway. So you will have to choose.

 

Paragraphs. I read it, but it gave me a headache.

 

3.50s will be way too all or our trucks. You'll see a loss in mpgs and end up having to down shift all the freakin time to pass people or climb hills.

honestly, if your going over 70 thats the issue. Keep it under 70 and you'll be fine. I get around 18-20 hwy in my stock truck if i keep it under 70. any faster and the motor starts to guzzle the gass.

In Frankenstein if i even think about going over 70 i'll go from 13-15 hwy to 10 lol

but your gettin pretty normal mileage out of the truck so..not sure its worth worrying about.

could always go back to a 2wd 4 banger taco..

 

When I bought 95.5 new (358 gears),it wouldn't pull hill outside of town without downshifting to 4th. Gas mileage was 22-24. Regeared to 456 the truck pulls same hill in OD with extra power. I guess we all have different needs. Oh yeah, gas mileage 18-20.That would be 65 mph or under! I don't know about within 12%. I swapped front and rear gears in 456. Take no chances in my mind.

 

Huh? Your transfer case would not be very pleased with this situation. I would highly advise against using anything other than the same gears front/rear

 

Thank you gentlemen for the words of wisdom. I will try to follow the "lightfoot" approach.

I had cruise w my 99 2WD Auto and got 28-30mpg hwy, keeping it 65 +/-, so I will do the same with this so I get a base reading. Its a 2hr Highway ride to my camp in NH, so cruise was and is a requirement.

My wheels are 16in 6 lug. Even tho I have 4WD, I am told I have a 8in rear and a 7.5in front diff.

Once I get a few miles under my belt I will know more about what to do.

Thanks again.

Len