2700 rpms at 75mph

Strongly recommend you stick with the 4:88 with 285's. Unless you do MOSTLY highway, your around town MPG is likely to be worse with 4:30 and 285s anyway, so you will probably do better MPG overall with 4:88. Along with better drivability, I would definitely leave it as-is.

 

Well your guy's opinions are definitely convincing me to keep 4.88s 

 

I think I'm the only manual transmission 3rd gen taco with 4.88s. Made me think like I made a mistake. As usual I was just overthinking it.

 

Which is weird to me.

Autos can get away without gearing a lot easier than someone with a manual can.

 

Well these autos are worse from the get go, Toyota screwed the pooch trying to save gas imo.

 

You won't be the last. I'm trading my auto for a 6MT. Will eventually go to 4:88 even if only sticking with 265/75-16.

 

I can go 75-80mph around 1800-2000rpm. Not sure what your deal is.

 

Nah. Those RPMs on the highway are not going to hurt anything. That's about what mine is at stock. Enjoy the gears.

 

I wish 6th gear was a bit taller in the manual. Then 4.88s would be a no-brainer. Even with my setup (265/70 17s and the stock 4.30s) I feel like the revs are a bit high when cruising at 75mph in 6th gear.

 

i wish mine would do that.....

 

My deal is I have a manual transmission. Auto transmission gears are more toward fuel economy....

 

When I first built my wrangler I was on 37's with 4.88's and it felt about right. 4.88's with the 32.75" tires does seem to be a little low, but with the higher end power of the 3.5L I'm assuming it's in its sweet spot, and fun to drive.

My mom just picked up a 17' highlander with the same engine, and I noticed that at 4 grand the engine is smooth as butter. Does the truck feel like you are pushing it

My rear is getting regeared right now to 4.88. I'll be at 2,900 at 70 with 35's, I have the 4-banger though.

 

Doesn't feel like its pushing it at all, smooth as butter. It is fun, that's for sure. Stock gearing just felt powerless, and impossible to start in second gear.

 

IFS + locked front = keep wheels straight if you don't want broken CV's or tie rod ends (my understanding from those with locked fronts here).

 

Good to know thanks