Gears?

Gears, do they help with 33" tires?

Mostly interested in MPG?

Other areas of interest would be acceleration both in town and highway.

Considering going from stock to 4.30 gears on a double cab.

 

I have 2011 single cab, 4x4, regeared to 4:56, ARB Locker front, Eaton true track rear.

I haven’t measured mileage but I go by 200 miles a tank whether needed or not.

Tires 255/85 on stock rims (Maxis Bighorns)

If I was to do regear again I’d go 4:88 since I have the 4banger.

Had a shop do the diff work and they put 85/140 gear oil in.

 

Yes they will help with acceleration, mpg may be a different issue.

 

4.56 with 265 tires -32 inch tires. My fuel mileage is slightly higher to what I was stock, but I have a 300 pound front bumper and winch, 150 pound rock sliders and a bunch of other weight now, so I feel the gears likely didn't hurt my mileage at all with the larger tires. If I was going 33 inch tires I'd be tempted to go 4.88. But if you are often on 80mph freeways then maybe 4.56. Was the right change for me - I have the 4.0 and auto tranny though. If you are standard I'm not sure as stock is 4.10 gears so 4.3 likely wouldn't be worth it. (Does anyone even make 4.30?)

 

My 4.0 handles 255/85/16 really well except when towing a load at highway speeds. I wouldn't mind a little more torque off road too, but I've learned to drive it as is. I get 18 mpg for most of my driving in the summer. Manual transmission is a factor here.

 

I have an auto 2wd with 4.30 gears. I run 295/70/17 hankook at tires and combined with the wheel I’ve got 90-95 lbs per corner. I also carry a constant 300 lbs. worth of tools. Sometimes I actually feel overgeared for highway driving. Give or take a few rpm, I’m turning 2150@65, 2270@70 and 2400@75. From my experience with 33’s, 4.10 gears is highly recommended for daily driving, you won’t be disappointed. 4.30 & 4.56 is good for off-roading. My mpg with lift, big tires and tools has always sucked with or without gears.

 

I would also like to add, for the folks with a manual transmission 4.0 thinking about a gear change. you might actually find your truck livable with stock gears because of the lower highway rpms. Of course this is taking into consideration that you don’t go to crazy with your tire selection. You would need to stick with an AT tire in the 285/295 variety. If you start throwing mud tires into the equation, you can pretty much forgot this recommendation. For auto tranny 4.0 just go with 4.10 gears with a tru trac LSD and call it a day.