Gear ratio issue in mountains

Truck is '03 2.4l RWD 5-speed manual--All stock everything

With the stock 3.58 gears I can barely make it up my driveway (215/70R15 tires).

What's my best option here? I assume a gear change. Which gears will be usable? Axle code is A02A.

 

That's the stock tire size?

 

Door sticker lists 205/70 R15

Pretty darn close, at any rate.

 

It's either stock or very close, OP has a 5 lug taco which has itty bitty tires.

I understand your issue OP, I had a 95.5 with the 2.4 and 5spd and had a very steep driveway as well.
I think 3.73 gears would work without killing your top end.
The 2001-2004 2.4's with the auto trans came with 3.73's, you may be able to find a rear ring and pinion set from one that somebody pulled out.

 

Barely make it up your drive in 1st gear?

 

Yeah. It's steep enough that most autos bottom out pulling in.

Just measured: 15 degrees, which is 26.8% slope.

 

First gear is fairly tall in the 1st gen 5 lugs, I would equate it to 2nd gear in a dodge 5.9 with the 5 speed.

 

I was assuming I would have to go to at least 4.10 to even notice a difference. Is such a small change noticeable?

 

They use 4.10s as a stock gear ratio in 2nd gen 5 lugs.

 

3.58 to 3.73 would be a 4.02% change
3.58 to 4.10 would be a 12.68% chance

I don't know if 4% would be enough of a change but I think 12.5% would take too much from the top end if you do much highway driving.

 

You can see what is offered for you vehicle and play around with the numbers to see what you end up liking the most.

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/

http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

 

It comes down to what your other driving is like .

Gearing is always a comprise you give up something to get something else

Are your trips of only a few miles (5 to 10)??

Long like 100 miles a day??

As the gear ratio goes up the rpm increases for a given road speed to some the extra fuel is no big deal to some it is major

In my case another $100.00 or so a month would be just a bigger check each month