2.7 and 5:29s

4 cyl owners are a relatively small population on TW for 3rd gens. They’re (4cyl) something like 25% of Tacoma sales if I remember right and I’m sure a lot of those are fleet trucks so no owner community participation from the fleet ones.

Add to that that most guys buying 4 cyl wanted them for a specific reason and knew exactly what they were buying with the full intention of leaving it 100% stock. That leaves not a large percentage buying them to regear, unfortunately.

Just trying to put it into perspective why you haven’t received an answer yet. You may have to wait a bit. It’s still never going to be fast, but a 4.30 to 5.29 regear is a very noticeable improvement. That’s what I did on my manual and while obviously I don’t have a 4 cyl, it was a big change for the better.

I will say, what’s the issue with it shifting a lot? A lot of autos do that. Is it causing you trouble or you’re just annoyed? There is a solid chance that a 5.29 regear is going to shift your complaint from 4-5 to 5-6.

 

It’s very excessive, I’m fine with the odd shift. I understand the motor won’t have torque to hold a gear on a hill. But if the wind blows the truck shifts from 5-4, then to climb any hill it will drop to 3rd and rev like crazy to grab 4th just to downshift again.

That’s why I’m hoping to hear from people with experience with a similar set up. If the truck holds 6th and does the odd down shift to 5th to pull a hill I’d be happy.

 

I'm definitely curious how 5th feels after my gears are in, when out on the freeway doing long grades. I find 5th right now to lack ability to muster, even when unladen. Meanwhile I wouldn't cruise in 4th. I've lost cc in 5th on some of the longer hills south of where I live on the 5 freeway.

With bigger tires, 5.29's could make sense. It does seem like a big jump though.

I considered 4.88's but felt 4.56 might be just perfect with the LSD. But we will have to see. If I had a 6th I'd have been more willing to go bigger on gears.

 

Check out the group “Toyota Tacoma 4 cylinder owners” on FB. It’s a public group and I found a few posts about 5.29 3rd gen on there. There’s a guy with 255/75R17 (32.1”) tires and he does a 0-60 and shows some cruising videos.

 

Sell it. Don’t put a dime in it other than cleaning it up for sale.

 

I’ve got a Detroit true trac and love it. I was considering 4:88s but with having a 6 speed and a whole gear that isn’t even used, I figured 5:29s are best.

 

Will do thank you

 

I’m jealous of the TrueTrac. I so wish the larger rear axle on 3rd gen’s had the option for it. Would have ditched my locker in a heartbeat.

5.29 is definitely best for you with the 2.7 6 speed. You would 100% regret choosing 4.88. Not enough difference for a truck that’s struggling.

 

Yeah, I concur with that assessment, plus AT 6th is an even better ratio than the 6MT for cruising since AT can quick shift for you.

My only concern on your behalf is cost, since you're 4x4, it's a chunk of change to throw at a truck which isn't going to grow balls just from gears.

My long term plan is EV front axle for hybrid 4x4, that adds grunt and capability but it'll be an expensive project.

 

I regeared my 4Runner with 4.88s after I put on bigger tires and it did fuck all difference.

Get a cheap pair of 245 tires and call it a day.

 

Gears a fairly cheap, plus I have all the hardware to install the rear. So it would just be a rear gear and a front gear + kit. All OEM Toyota bearings are actually fairly cheap.

 

I haven't bought mine for the '16 yet, is $500 for bearings cheap to you or do you have a source on them?

 

The rear has new carrier bearings so I won’t replace those. So it’s just pinion bearings, seals and sleeve. So about 350 there, front will be 500. Then each get set is around $500.

$2000 isn’t that bad, a good set of tires cost almost that much.

 

Hah, ok, you have a high threshold for gear cost pain

I’m sitting on REM’d 4.88’s for my ‘16 right now. Need to pony up on bearings next.

 

Parts stores can get most bearings, pinion ones are hard but carrier is easy. I’d price OEM instead of a whole kit. In Canada it was cheap to run OEM then aftermarket.

 

i regularly get 25-20mpg on my almost worn out ko2 265's. i do have a tune and lce headers. it is also a access cab. its slow but its enough to keep up if you know how to drive, i rarely drive above 70mph. the v6 has the same problems. sell the truck and go buy something else, you have no idea what youre doing.

 

I doubt it has anything to do with knowledge. The trucks gutless and hard on fuel, the question is will 5:29s help it enough.

 

when the first thing you think of to make a truck faster is regearing than yeah it is about knowledge. you bought a truck without dyor and apprently no test drive. 99% of people here will tell you to buy the v6 and you will find it has the same exact problems of being sluggish just as the 2.7 regardless of the 2 extra cylinders. yeah, it sounds crazy. again, do your research and buy the proper truck for your needs instead of guessing. if you need to keep the truck, start out with some lce headers and a tune, it will transform the truck completely to the point where I finally started enjoying driving it but youll never get rid of the sluggish feeling. ill be enjoying my 24mpg on my commute tommorow.

 

That’s easier said than done, I bought the truck because it needed work for less than half of book value. A test drive wasn’t an option due to the work it needed. I’ve own a 2nd gen 4cyl manual which I was happy with. I figured 10 years Toyota wouldn’t make the truck worse.
Gears will actually make it accelerate faster, not top speed wise but will get it there quicker when it’s on bigger tires.

 

worse in performance yes,,, by making a bigger, heavier, less aerodynamic truck using the same antiquated engine,,, topped off with more GOV regulation.