My review of 4.88s on a 2nd gen with 34s

So far they are good, most of the time around town I barley notice I have lower gears in my day to day driving. I notice it most around the hills and highway were the truck would lug down and shift/jump gears all the time, it doesn't do that all anymore. I have my first big overlanding trip in a couple weeks were the truck will be really loaded up then I'll know.

 

Awesome! My break-in trip was deep in the Appalachians and I was impressed. Its always going to be a tacoma with no torque but the gears made it...acceptable.

 

Finally trimmed fenders over the weekend.
Now im looking into upgrading my gears. Im currently running 315s and looking into getting 4.88s, but now im hesitate. As much as go offroading its not as much as highway driving. I mainly stay around 70-75. I do plan to add armor and more weight. I also run a draw system that is roughly 200 lbs with all my stuff in there. Is 4.56 better on highways and mpg? I be happy with 16 mpg. I get 14.4 mpg now on stock gears. Can someone weight in on this?

 

Encourage you to contact a company like ECGS directly. We all have our own individual experiences that shape our opinions but they’ll have the experience of multiple years and vehicles to help provide you with professional advice based on your specific application.

 

If you got over 10 with 35s your already ahead. I guarantee there would be no decernable difference between 4.56s and 4.88s

 

I’ve had 456 and 488s with the 35s, you’ll be happy with either

 

Yes… yes it is.

When that d bag Audi who’s merging on the freeway next to you thinking he’s hot stuff and going to jump the light when he’s in the lane 5 feet set back…

when you see that big hill climb coming up and think about changing lanes to the right…(gears probably help here)

when you’re all by yourself and you just want to hear the whine, get er going and giggle…

When you want to spend more money on fuel… Aw shit

 

I I was going to do it again. I had 4.56 in my normal aspirated taco and probably should have went with 4.88s. Now in my supercharged taco with 4.88s I wish I had 4.56s. It feels like i'm wasting a little torque because the wheels are turning too easy. I think it would be faster after 40 with 4.56s. This could also be the factory tuning. I think after regearing, my shift points might be a little too high. when I'm hammering down its spending all its time shifting.

Ivan, If you want to test drive a supercharged 4.88 before you drop 6k, I'm right down the road.

edit** my truck is still pretty light so the 700lbs most of y’all add could make a difference.

 

Man what a good look

 

So I really don't believe there is anything you can do to your truck to GAIN MPGs except reversing all your work and going back to stock. With the weight you are talking about adding to your truck +35s without a supercharger I'd think you need 4.88s. I went 4.88s because I plan on 35s and so far my MPGs took a hit but it was huge, I now drive a little slower on the Highway because on 33s at 70 the RPMs are 2800ish.

 

The guy that installed my 4.88s said that he really doesn't recommend 4.56s anymore even on the 2nd gen because 4.88s isn't really that much more of a change.

 

Thank you! Even the math on paper is only different by a few hundred rpms. Not going to change power, mpgs, or butt dyno feeling with 4.56 vs 4.88. I dont understand why there is even a debate

 

Thanks for all the inputs!!!! Im settled on 4.88s now. Anyone has a pic of true 35s? Looking at the gap I feel like I have 33s on now haha.....

 

Nitro 4.88

 

Damn 6 inch lift

 

ya - Sorry

 

So ran through the second tank though my truck since the re-gear and I didn't quite get 15 MPGS but pretty close. So far the re-gear only dropped my MPGs but 1-1.5 with my day to day driving.

 

I talked to ECGS the other day about 4.56 vs 4.88 on 34(.5)s and they said there wouldn't be much difference. I already have a front 4.56 diff I am stealing from the Pig so all I need is a rear 3rd so its an easy choice for me. Seems like downshifting less should help mpgs but I guess it depends on how heavy your right foot is?

 

Get some 4.88's and send them over to me and ill trade you some 4.56' hahaha but yah 4.56 is fine. I run 4.56 HAF w/an S/C and on a good day conservative, I get 14 on a trip. 11-12 mpg now on a regular day. I did not go 4.88 when I re-geared since I was on 285 but I would go 4.88 now. 4.56 will be a bit lower in the RPMs. I am around 2400 at 70 mpg from perspective.