2nd Gen Re-Gear Expectations

Looking for a little insight from the Taco community. Recently re-geared my 2013 TRD Off Road DCLB 4WD w/rear elocker v-6. I chose 4.88's. Immediately as I was backing out of the shop parking lot I realized my expectations might have been way too high. I've watched all the YouTubes and read a lot of other peoples thoughts on their experiences and it feels like it just didn't hit the mark. Where some would comment they felt more power at the wheels or the truck just wants to go; that is not something I'm experiencing. To be clear I suppose I was expecting a noticeable torque feeling where the truck just bites and pushes forward. The noticeable differences are: the truck doesn't hunt for gears on HWY anymore, no unreasonable downshifting going up hill, RPM's are better and it wasn't sluggish hauling all our camp load out. Overall I am happy with those results, however the initial reaction was rather disappointing. It's concerning because I intend to run 35's next tire buy add front/rear bumpers. Anyone have similar experience or feel that sounds about realistic?

 

In my opinion regearing is more of a fine tune than an earth shattering change. Switching from 3.73 with a PC to a 5.29 without a PC was slightly noticeable. The higher the horsepower of the engine the more of a change a regear will make.

 

If you actually got 4.88s and aren’t even running 35s on a 4.0L and can’t tell a vast difference then you didn’t get 4.88s. Have you been on the highway yet? Have you checked your speed with RPM ratios? 4.88s are way overgeared for a daily driver, given non-mountainous terrain, with less than 35” tires.

 

I would be interested in the outcome of this conversation as well. I'm to the point where suspension and possible re-gear going to 35 might be in the near future. I don't know much about this subject. All my other mods are done so this is where it becomes important to have some intell!

 

The vast difference is the truck isn’t hunting for gears. I’m not running “overcharged”. If anything RPMs feel more natural even at higher speeds

 

There is a break in period so don’t do this immediately but 4.88 should easily smoke the tires from dead stop. I can break free 37s with 4.88s. What size tires do you have?

 

That’s how it’s feeling. Fine tuned. Definitely not earth shattering.

 

285 70 17s BFG KO2s

 

I was just typing a quote from original OP that maybe @zippsub9 could chime in and realized he already did. Believe me when I say whatever this man says is golden. He knows his stuff! Just a super dude and would always give you an honest answer!

 

Dave, I will be down in Atlanta in mid August. All these “feelings” and “vast” differences are subjective. I would be glad to meet up and let you drive my rig but my truck was screaming bloody murder on 35s at 70-75mph with 4.88s. 3000 RPMs ish if I remember correctly. As long as you are happy is the most important factor after all.

 

Probably doing a GA Traverse trip when it cools down. I’m happy with it. Just probing the minds of the masses to see if my expectations were off the reservation.

 

you should def feel the difference. I went 4.56 on 285's and it was night and day. It was not a holy shit moment but the truck drove great. If you are looking for crazy undergeared "power" that's prob not going to be there but you should be 4.88 fun when its all broken in.

I like my setup but wish I had gone with 4.88's now that is all said and done. the heavier the truck is and the bigger the wheels the less pronounced it will feel. but 4.56 and 285's was prob the best combo. 4.88 I did not go with at the time for what @zippsub9 noted it would be screaming with 285's let alone other sizes but damn would be a better combo.

 

I don’t want to jack the thread, but I have been considering a regear as well. It sounds like changing to 4.88s may fix the main issue I have which is the “Gear hunting” I’m looking to fine tune the driving experience. Did you tune your truck as well?

How are you are liking your ride now, after break in… I am curious because I was thinking about (maybe 4.56 possibly 4.88) if you had to do yours again would you make the same choice?

For my rig, I don’t use my truck as a daily, but I do long trips with a lot of highway in between sometimes while other times it’s mostly back roads. I’m on 33s (ST Maxx with the Rock warrior wheels) 2.5 inch lift, armor, winch, tent, fridge, etc… and run heavy (I load up pretty heavy when I’m out over-landing) Currently, my truck still has stock gears. Do you think it might be better to just try and re-tune what I have or both (change to 4.88s as well as tune it)

For a regear and tune, are there any shops you would recommend in Co Springs?

 

I went from 3.73 to 4.10 and noticed an immediate difference in power. Wouldn’t call it an earth shattering difference, but worth the effort for sure. Maybe since mine is so heavy, it made more of a difference. If yours is a stock truck and lighter then maybe that’s why it doesn’t feel like much of an improvement.

Mine is supercharged with 285/70/17, but carrying a decent amount of weight with subwoofer box, bed topper, Decked drawer system which is full of tools, steel rear bumper with swingout tire carrier, stealth front bumper with winch, cab rack, topper rack etc.

 

4.88 will be a lot of you stick with 33’s. When I had 4.56 and did have a tune it was the best combo. I didn’t have my swing out. Now I’m S/C with 315’s and almost feel the truck the truck was peppier and no lag at all w/ OV tune, 4.56 and moderate weight on 285’s. You will notice a difference with any gear change. 4.10 or 4.56 will be better fir highway. 4.88 will be screaming

 

I definitely don’t want it to be screaming at me… so maybe 4.56 is the way to go with a Tune. Although I hadn’t considered 4.10 (I was not sure that would be enough). I don’t want to destroy my mileage or be screaming down the interstate. But I do want to kill the gear hunting and still let the rig pull hills nicely. (I am in Colorado so she already is breathing the thinner air )

 

285’s and AT 4.56 and tune maybe 2600 rpms at 75 mph. My last trip to CO I was heavy but with 315’s and it was want to bad. I’d def go 4.88 if you had bigger tires but the 4.56 have been solid. 315’s and 4.56 I’m about 2900-3000 rpm at 80 mph. Mpg didn’t change much. +\- 1 mpg.