Installed 4.88 Gears in my 2016

Does the factory 75w85 gear oil make you cringe?

 

Great Thread.

Getting a new 2017 TRD Off-Road in two weeks strongly considering 4.88 gears right away.

Putting 0 offset wheels and Toyo 285/70/17's on it right away as well (love the Pro look but wanted long bed, sunroof)

I will pull trailers pretty frequently near the max tow capacity and don't much enjoy downshifting while driving at highway speeds.

I also have a propensity to waste money on ridiculous things that don't make sense to most people.

Can anyone tell me a good reason why this isn't a great idea?

Can anyone recommend a great gear shop in the Philadelphia / south jersey area? I want this thing perfect.

Thanks.

 

If you're gonna be towing that much weight that often I'm willing to bet you'll be very unhappy with the Tacoma. I'd definitely go full size.

 

@kashtyaatsi

I tow short distance all the time with my stock 4runner with +1 tires and the V8. I really like the way it pulls, no issues. It is properly equipped (airbags, brake controller, bilstein heavy duty shocks). I also drive for work about 300 miles each way once or twice a month with no trailer. I think the Tacoma will do exactly what i need it to do, properly equipped, on both fronts. Also I am in the city quite often, and a full size is more of a headache there.

The downshifting wasn't intended to be meant while pulling a trailer. I know i'll have to run in a lower gear while pulling. It was more of a reference to the fact that some people say these trucks have trouble holding 6th gear on the highway factory just cruising... and with tires this gets worse.

I considered a full size, but in the end I'm confident the Tacoma is exactly the truck I need. Thanks for the input though!

 

Again, if you are going to tow anything with this Tacoma you will be unhappy.
Sorry but you have been warned. It's gutless, not even close to that 4 runner with a V8.

 

RP wants to know if any of these claims have been brought to their attention? They see people put in RP after problems are all ready there. Either they are lying to you or Your just not a RP dealer.

IN short, BS or back up claims.

 

Gutless with 4.88's and 285/70R17's? That should be about a 13% boost in wheel torque over factory. I don't race around when i tow i proceed slowly with caution in lower gears, with correct hauling equipment installed. I guess i'm having trouble seeing how i'll be unhappy. The 4 runner is very slow with my trailer hooked up and i don't mind.

I think i'll do better with the Taco purely on geometry, the longer wheelbase of the truck should stabilize me somewhat with my long trailer at highway speeds. I do get some sway at higher speeds with the current setup, hoping that goes away.

I'll report back after i pull some things with the 4.88's, and give an honest opinion of that truck compared to my current 4runner.

 

Wish you lived in Colorado, you could drive my truck and save a bunch of money.
At least I hope you get a Manual.

 

I bet you you'll have trouble getting out of 4th with a big trailer even if it's flat ground.

 

You're 100% correct. I'm not a Royal Purple dealer, never claimed to be.

I have nothing to prove to you. If you don't want to take my advice, that's fine. I'm just relaying my experience from running a shop that does a lot of differential work. We've installed 1,000s of gearsets and have noticed patterns over time.

What else would you expect RP to say? Of course they're going to say that they don't see problems.

I don't appreciate the hostility. "IN short, BS or back up claims.", really?

 

I would expect to pull at around 55mph in 4th. If I can not work to hard and run faster maybe I could run 5th with ETC on. But i'm not banking on that. I just want to be able to safely pull my enclosed trailer up to about 60MPH. 4th Gear @2800 or so will be fine for that. Thanks for looking out though.

 

I'm no expert but at less than 60 I think you'll be ok without big hills.

 

If these people had legitimate claims, RP would have helped out.
If i had any problems with my axles and had been using RP i definitely would be calling RP and bitiching online.
Sorry your feeling were hurt but its the internet. If RP is bad, we the people need to know. your the only person making these claims so you're going to be judged.
Thanks for pointing out this as I am concerned but skeptical.

 

Just don't want you to expect too much of the truck.

 

As long as you understand the high rev driving the lack of torque "feeling" than yes the tacoma will get the job done. Which is also fine with me since I knew all that before buying my truck. More for just information on stock gears @ 5000 lbs load the tundra actually achieves better mpg.

 

Good points.

 

I'm FAR from the only person who has had problems with Royal Purple gear oil, do a quick google search.

My feelings weren't hurt, but I'm just trying to have a reasonable discussion and you chose to make it hostile for some reason. I don't care if "its the internet", I still talk to people with respect.

Just think about who you're listening to. I run an offroad shop that builds a lot of axles. I have no reason to make things up. They are in the business of selling their oil. Of course they're going to tell you that it's the best and nobody has ever had a problem.

Like I said, run whatever you like, I'm just relaying my experiences.

 

I know people personally who have had bad experiences with rp's GEAR OIL ONLY in our trucks. As far as their other products they seems fine.

 

Maybe you should elaborate since you have experience with RP or seen it first hand causing failure. I think people would be interested in your findings if you stated the patterns of failure and how you came to your conclusion.

 

Doesn't the manual tell you to tow in 4th?