gear swap 2001 4x4?????

I had a major mechanical failure in the motor on my 01 tacoma recently while towing my boat. I live on the Big Island of Hawaii, and there is hardly any flat land here. From what we can tell, the timing belt broke and I destroyed a valve??? (changed the timing belt, etc... when i got the truck in Texas, had 120k). It now has 175k. About to drop a motor from a junker with 75k in her. I will upgrade to a centerforce clutch, and was kicking around the idea of putting lower gears in the truck for better towing. How much of a bitch is it to do this??? Guess it depends on your mechanical skills, right....?

Anyone tow much with this style tacoma? My boat probably weighs like 4000lbs or so. Too much?? It was pulling/stopping it no problem. I dont want to destroy this motor as well, nor do i want to buy another big ass truck.

Any advice would be appreciated. Aloha!

 

I wouldn't try doing gears your self unless you know what your doing. My truck has never been in the shop, I do everything myself since I used to work at a shop. I don't mind doing the timing belt myself & other motor work but when I regear I will be taking it to someone who knows what they're doing.

Regearing requires proper shimming or it will cause whining & premature wear and/or failure. Don't go cheap on the gears either. Also don't forget since your 4x4 you'll have to do front & rear or bad things will happen if you engage 4x4 with only the rear end regeared.