Let's fight about 4.88 vs 5.29 gears again.

Do they offer it now for the 3rd gen? When they came out, only 4.88 I believe, were available until the 5.29's came out. (I have no idea but at the time 4.56 and 4.3 were not options.

 

If you're looking to get that regear done in the nearish future, we're running this group buy. They can get you all the ECGS parts you want and either build your diffs on the bench or you can take the whole truck to them.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/regear-group-buy-open-to-all-makes-models-16-20.809044/

 

I have v6 4x4 DC auto trans
5.29’s
Speedo cal
On 33’s
Latest KDM tune
Turn 2200 rpm’s at 70. Mpg goes up still at that speed (so it’s efficient. 75 is max I drive anyway)
I get 18mpg every tank

I Rec 5.29’s all day. My set up is so smooth, no dramatic shifts just smooth as butter.
I also rec ECGS. Amazing place for gears.

 

Getting geared 4.88 after a lot of thought
Tacoma TRD pro AT
33 inch tires no plans going bigger
Front and rear steel bumpers
KDmax tune
3inch lift
50/50 split city Highway
Need to ability to cruise 80
ECGS, Nitro and Revolution recommended 4.88 spoke with their techs not sales. I value their advise based upon my specific information
Was informed 5.29 comes into play greater than 33 inch tires and or over landing excessive weight. Few pieces of armor not enough weight

 

I'm currently debating this too. I'm on 265/75/16 tires and no real plans to go bigger. I've been doing some testing on my commute using S5 to simulate 4.88 gears on the freeway. Obviously this doesn't help with how 1st through 5th would actually drive, but at 75mph I'm about 2200 rpms in 5th which will be similar to 6th with 4.88. I seem to be getting the same or slightly better MPG, which is odd, but maybe supports the idea that 6th lacks the torque needed to keep moving efficiently so you use more pedal and more gas. In any case, I think 4.88s will be good without being overkill on 32-33" tires.

What I'd really like to know is how it will tow when you are locking out 5th and 6th. Seem like you'll be running pretty high RPMs with 4.88 and worse on 5.29, which would help with power but might really suck for gas mileage. Hopefully it would never drop to 3rd on a hill at 65mph or it will be screaming.

 

Clearly did not read threads

 

I read the threads and decided to go with 4.88. 265/75 R16 tires, not loaded to the gills with weight, Do alot of highway miles on the way to trails since i live near metro areas. Biggest regret is not getting a limited slip while i paid a shop to install the gears. Also now sporting an Overland Tune for a week vs the KDMaxx 9 Pro that i ran for months.

can get down to 16 mpg on my route to work (lots of stop and go) and up to 21 mpg on the highway

 

My 285’s turn 2000 rpm at 70 mph, stock gears. But I’m not carrying a ton of weight.

 

I see a lot of guys saying its great for 5th and 6th gear RPM and use wise. Great for wheeling, nice torque and power. And as far as towing the comments are little vague.

I tow often, like 3 or 4 times a month. Pulling a 20' trailer and loaded down with dirtbikes and gear. At those times I never get out of 4th gear and am up and down mountains.

Can anyone relate how that would be with the gear changes? Im usually at 55 -60 towing in 4th and its doing 3k ish rpm. With a painful 13mpg or so. Im afraid the rpm in this situation might be pushing too high for comfortable driving and towing in OD is not the best idea.

 

Is this a manual? The numbers don't check out for an automatic.

 

Automatic. 32 in tires.

 

Hmmmm...with stock 3.909 gears and 32" tires, you should be around 2300 at 55 mph and 2500 at 60. Maybe you're actually in 3rd? The 13 mpg is actually pretty good for towing....i feel that's normal or better than normal for many towing situations.

Anyways, I show that bumping up to 4.88 would put your 4th gear at 3100 at 60. That's why I'm confused, because I don't want the numbers to scare you away, but the current numbers you have don't make sense.

Looking at the numbers for the automatic after a regear, 5.29s would only have you at 2300 rpm in 5th at 60 mph. that would not be good for towing. Whereas in 4th it would be doing 3400 at 60. Might put you in an uncomfortable spot. So you might be better off staying where you are currently, but I'm curious why your numbers are so far off from the calculator. Torque converter unlock could account for some of that, but not 5-700 rpm.

 

Your numbers make sense. Its probably under 3k for me now. When not towing the main hwy I drive is 70mph, and at that speed its a tad over 3k in 4th gear. Its got to shift down to 4th for any slight grade to get over it and maintain the speed.

Cant have the best of both worlds I suppose, but the stock gearing and with 32" tires is little lame in 4H. 4L, usually can get it done but even then Ive had times where it just wont go. So wanting a gear change for that reason.

 

In that case I’d probably regear to 4.88 and continue to use 4th. But maybe pay attention to the numbers a bit more to confirm for sure what it is now. For me with an auto I’d do 5.29 but I’m not towing and if I am, it’s light enough I would just use 5th or even 4th and let it rev still. But I also drive faster so I could probably pull 5th easily at the speeds I drive.

Manual trans are supposed to tow in 5th (instead of 6th) according to owners manual, but the lack of torque would definitely mean 4th a lot of times. I have 5.29 now and my 5th is like my old 4th. I’d probably run 5th for towing currently, and 4th for hills and passing if needed.

 

Could have bought the 4.30 from a manual owner for cheap when they we're upgrading theirs.

 

I could still swap with someone.

 

Where are you located?

 

Denver area

 

I'm in California but have family in Denver and go out there a lot. If you're still interested in 4.30 next time I'm out there let me know.

 

Excellent advice here. I will chime in on the off-road travel trailer. I your rig will be a true, off-road travel trailer it will probably be a small squaredrop or teardrop and will be heavy as hell like my XOC... the trailer needs to be able to withstand the loads that will be put on it in off road situations so it will probably be damn heavy.

You will want 5.29s to give you as much mechanical advantage as possible. I travel with the Taco loaded and my trailer full (less water since that is 400# I can do without whilst underway) and it is a MISERABLE experience in the mountains on stock gears. A tune and gears are in my future and I am contemplating lockers although a T56 Magnum 6 speed in my 7.4 liter dually would be nice so I may leave lockers for a later upgrade and do it myself. Seriously, if you plan to tow off-road or on pavement over distance give yourself as much mechanical advantage as possible with those 5.29s. I have 15,000 miles towing in my Taco and 9 months of full time living out of my trailer / remote work with Starlink.