High rpm going uphill road highway.

My buddy owns a 2018 toyota trd sport 3.5 V6 w/ 3" body lift with extra wide rims & tires. I believe his tires maybe 33". He says driving uphill 3/4 ways high incline ways his rpm reaches 3000+ rpm almost 4000 just to get @ 55 mph. High reving very loud. Is this normal?
I own a 2007 V6 4.0 toyota tacoma sr5 prerunner same route alittle over 2000 rpm & my 2004 V6 4.0 toyota 4runner sport limited edition is lower very much smoother & softer. both of my toyota's are stock. Is this because of the gear ratio or lifting & adding bigger rims, tires affect going uphill compared to leaving it stock?

 

To put it in perspective, that lift & tire combo is the same as if you tried running up a hill with an extra 50lbs of weight tied to each leg. You’d be huffin’ and puffin’ too lol.

 

Well yeah you’re going uphill, it takes that much more energy and effort to get larger tires to roll up a grade.

 

Yes, what you're describing is normal for a lifted truck with oversized tires—like your buddy’s 2018 Tacoma TRD Sport running 35" tires and a 3" lift.

Here’s why:

1. Larger Tires Change the Effective Gear Ratio

• Bigger tires (like 35s) reduce the effective axle gear ratio, making the engine work harder to turn them.
  
  
• This causes the truck to lose torque at the wheels, especially noticeable during uphill driving.
  
  
• To compensate, the transmission downshifts more often and the engine revs higher to maintain speed or power.
  

⚙️ 2. Stock vs Modified Gear Ratios

• Your 2007 Tacoma and 2004 4Runner are stock with factory-matched gearing and tire size, so the RPM stays lower and the engine feels smoother.
  
  
• Your buddy’s truck probably still has the stock differential gears (e.g., 3.91 or 4.30), which are not ideal for 35" tires.
  
  
• For 35s, a proper regear (like 4.88 or 5.29) would bring the RPMs back down to stock-like behavior and improve performance.
  

3. Weight and Rolling Resistance

• The lift and wider tires add rotational mass and aerodynamic drag.
  
  
• These also stress the transmission and engine more on inclines, forcing them to rev higher.
  

Summary:
Yes, your buddy’s higher RPM (3000–4000) on steep climbs is expected due to:

• Larger/heavier tires
  
  
• Body lift (added drag)
  
  
• Likely no re-gearing
  
  
• Transmission downshifting to compensate
  

If he wants to improve drivability, fuel economy, and engine wear, re-gearing the differentials to match the 35” tires is the right move.

what do you think?

 

My 2006 TRD OR had the 4.0V6 - my current TRD OR has the 3.5V6.
The 4.0 had better torque at lower RPMs - I could start from a stop in 2nd gear. The 3.5's power band is at higher RPMs and consequently climbing hills it has to rev higher. This is normal as the 2 engines are vastly different when it come to torque & horsepower. Add to that the tuning that satisfies the EPA requirements. Changing to larger diameter tires on a 3.5V6 really highlights the difference in power band and it shows in the RPM range that works best for the 3.5.

 

@yotadust. Thanks I let my buddy know.

 

Tell him to try in ECT mode if he is not doing that. may make a difference?

 

The good news is some think it looks good.

 

@CtYankee
I was very disappointed that the 2016-23 tacoma's got 3.5L V6. & the oil filters now below under the engine. I love the exterior design on them. I totally hate those new design tacoma's 2024-25.

 

It’s not Friday.

 

It's got a piano tied to it's ass. Normal with all crap attached to it.

 

@yotadust
My buddy is claiming that when he bought his brand new 2018 tacoma stock. Going up the same hill 3/4 ways that is much steeper part was doing the same thing even at stock. Reving @ 3,000 to 4,000 rpm.

 

And in my 20's I was mistaken for Brad Pitt as Joe Black. I did have blond hair.

So, yes, it revved stock. Just like I had blond hair. No, it didn't work as hard as it does now

and I still don't favor Brad.

 

Your buddy should probably look into get a tune also if he's running 33s. I will say that helped me substantially on climbing steep highway hills and maintaing speed with steady rpms. I went with an OTT and have been very happy with the results. It made a noticeable difference on my daily highway drive where I am going up a grade every day.

 

On a hill 5/8 maybe 9/16 mine will hold 3rd gear like its going to pop trying to maintain 65mph.

 

what about using S mode to self shift?
Just keep it in the gear that seems the best for going up the hill.
I have a hill here and when i go up it i always use S mode and lock it in 3rd
then when i get to the top just bump it back to D

 

That's the ideal power range is for the 3.5V6.