33's, armor, fridge, camping equipment, etc- 4.30 vs 4.56 gears

On the highway at 70, I’m getting roughly 15.5-16 mpg if that makes you feel any better. I’ve done multiple tanks of gas on interstate so those numbers are fairly accurate.

 

I have the same truck, full armor bumpers, skids, rear bumper with dual swingouts, sliders, roof rack and running 255/80/17 Coopers. I pull a micro off road camper with it on and off road. Yes there was a little powr loss but it does absolutely fine even towing the camper with stock gears. I don't mean fine as in it's ok and I can live with it I mean it tows like there's nothing behind it most of the time hills are the only time I notice the added weight of the camper and I just drop a gear. A bennifit of the MT being geared lower i guess.

 

That does make me feel better. Right now I’m getting about that same mpg. Over the summer I tested running several tanks of gas in 5th gear on the highway to see if the elevated rpms made a difference in mileage. Mileage between 5th and 6th gear really didn’t change but I think it was because the higher rpm’s caused the engine not to struggle so much.

 

you have to remember its also a different ratio at that point. check the current ratio to gear vs the new one.
most fuel usage is related to throttle position vs rpm. but anything past half throttle to do anything uses very high air/fuel ratios.

 

Like what was just stated, you do have to remember to take in to account ratios when calculating fuel economy. When I gas up now, I’m multiplying my mileage by .9 to give me my corrected MPG. If I didn’t do that, I’d be getting large gains in MPG that really don’t seam possible.

 

I hope your only adjusting your actual miles instead of the final figure. otherwise its not accurate

 

My math is accurate. Verified by GPS.

 

@Sna Did you end up regearing? I've been scouring threads looking for the best information and biased anecdotal evidence to help me pull the trigger.

I'm a 6 speed on 285/75/17s and will likely step up to 35s after they wear out. Planning a long trip through UT after spring semester and won't feel comfortable hitting the road until I score front/rear bumpers, sliders, and lock the rear. I might as well regear while I've got the diff ripped apart and considering the extra ~500 lbs of weight I'll be adding.

 

I have not re-geared yet but it will be happening in the next 2-3 months. I still plan on going with 4.56 gears (and still Harrop lockers) even though I plan to stay with 33's and know I will be overgeared. My truck is as aerodynamic as a brick, will be heavy and I have plans to tow a small inflatable boat so this is ultimately the best direction for me.

Seeing as you are adding weight (bumpers are also horrible for aerodynamics), your tires a just slightly taller than mine already and you have plans to go to 35's, I think you know which is the best direction to go. And I agree, if you have the 3rd out you may as well do the locker at the same time. Buy once, cry once!

 

@Sna Thought I had but then I found this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/re-gearing-my-tacoma-4-10-or-4-56.516735/page-4#post-16359932

Toytec is an hour away and has the both Nitro packages so I'll stop by and see if they can give me enough information to complicate things further before I drop a bunch of loot and hope I don't end up regretting my decision.

 

So much to think about.....here is some more.

 

id go 4:56, I went 4:88 but i have DCLB Auto. dont regret it at all. probably will regain some of that mileage too.