The 4.88 mega thread!!

I’ve got a AT ‘17 off road. I’ve read that 4.56 would be a good ratio for these trucks. Why would they not make them available for them?

 

From what I understand, the 4.56 ratio is cherry on the gen 2's but being as the gen 3's are a touch bigger and heavier, and more importantly, the different powertrain and drivetrain combo hunts for gears A LOT more than the gen 2's, the 4.88 seemed the way to go. The factory 3.909 (TRD OR) is severely lacking. These trucks most definitely should have come from the factory with a 4.56 ratio at the least. Cost for Toyota would have been insignificant too Why Toyota truly didn't do this is a mystery for the ages, bud...

 

My thing is I have 33’s (255/85r16) and plan on adding weight in the form of camper shell, sliders, skids and bumpers but don’t plan on putting 35’s any time soon. Don’t know where the line is to weight and tire size for 4.88...

Edit: I guess I’ll find out when I need to

 

How is it at 75mph? I drive interstate to work and back and everybody drives 5 over at 75.

How is acceleration in 1-3rd gears? The 4.88 final drive affects the lower gears more than the overdrive gears so I am curious how it drives around town.

 

Especially with the tall 5th and 6th gears on the ATs. They don’t give up a lot of gas mileage on 4.56 gears.

 

Can't say what 75mph is like as highway here is 65mph. but would say 75 in 6th it would be running about 2500 rpm - smack in the low end of the power zone. May suffer on mpg but not much else.

1-3 shifting is smooth and quick - makes city driving very nice compared to the stock 3.90's.

 

Do all 3rd gens have the same rears with the exceptions of lockers/ crawl control? I have a ‘16 AT Sport. It is also 2wd. Thinking of going to the 4.88 just to improve drivability w larger tires and being 2wd only have to pay for 1 gear set!

 

You actually have the option of going 4.56.

 

Very interested. Cause I plan on having a similar setup

 

You have a link for any 4.56 gears for a 3rd gen? I have not seen 4.56 available for a 3rd gen at all

 

Only available for non TRD OR models. The sport, SR, SR5 and Limited all have a smaller rear axle than the TRD OR therefore have a few more gearing options available.

 

This is kick ass news!!! I have a 16 TRD Sport 4x4 and am not to keen on wanting 4.88's since I doubt I will add 35" tires... really wanting 33's and 4.56. Thanks for this info, i am going to dig around a bit and see what i find.

 

I'm in the same boat mod-wise. Same tires, and I have an arb bumper with winch, steel IFS and Mid skids, dual battery, aluminum cap with RTT, and I am waiting for a rear HC with swingout. I am going to get gears and lockers when I can afford to but I don't feel like I HAVE to do it right now. Perhaps once I get the rear bumper on I'll feel like I need to do the gears.

 

I am running 33's with the 4.88. I would suggest trying to find someone that has the 4.88's and drive it first. I can't imaging spending the money and going with 4.56. The 4.88 is finally acceptable performance IMO. Drive before you jump in and decide. I went 4.88 as only option on OR. Glad it was the only option or would have screwed it up to be honest. I was worried RPM's would be to high for every day driver, but to be honest its right where this engine like to run, and it finally feels exactly like what it should have to begin with. Don't short yourself.

 

4.88s is only 7% more rpm than 4.56s.Been through this with Jeeps.Just go with 4.88s as said IMHO.

 

agreed. 4.56 just doesn't make a big enough difference

 

They do... or did. I have 4.56s with 295/70/17 and OVTune. had the regear done 2 summers ago. I think had the jury not still been out at the time I would have gone 4.88s. But as is...I'm real happy with the regear and tune combo

 

This is good to know, my truck is my daily too. I don’t want to over gear it if my wheel size and load on the truck don’t warrant it. So it sounds like the 4.88 Will work for me too. I’ll poke around in the Georgia thread and see if someone has something close I can check out.. Thanks dude

 

Welp, installation is going to take a bit longer. The shop I had lined up wanted $1900 for the install. Guy said 18 hours labor. That seems a little high and little long.
I mentioned the few TW posts of members getting their vehicles back same day for around the $1200-1400 mark. He wasn't too impressed.

For reference, those that have had the install - roundabout what have you paid?

 

I haven’t had it done yet as my gears haven’t shown up yet (purchased from SDHQ), but was quoted $760 and would take a day.