Re-gear Question

If I were you, I would go to 5.29s and pass on the front locker. A front locker will usually just pull you into situations you don't want to be in to begin with especially with limited armor and low round clearance.

The 4.88s will work just fine as well but the 5.29s will give you a little more on the low end when you are weekend wheeling

 

Second gen truck........I definitely pondered the 4.30's. When it came down to it the 4.30's didn't offer enough step up from the stock 3.73's when factoring in larger tires. (if I recall the stock ratio correctly). everyone I consulted was saying 4.56 or 4.88, and I am conservative by nature and was also considering the 4.30's. ECGS said 4.56 was right for my setup. Glad I went 4.56, it worked for me and my truck which I no longer have.

 

After watching that video above on the 4.88's in the third gen, I would go 4.88 on stock tires without a doubt. 5.29 if 33's are in the plans for the future.

 

I have armor. But yeah, both on this forum and the two mechanics I spoke to seem pretty skeptical of front lockers. Thanks.

 

Man, I was hoping this would not turn into as tough a decision as the suspension....Maybe I should just go 4.88. I just wonder about 5.29s when I am probably not going to go for big tires.

 

If you have any inclination of sizing up on tires then 5.29 all the way. If not 4.88s will do you just fine for what you discribed in your OP

 

What's the elevation where you live? That's something I like to take into account as well. As you go higher up, your engine produces less power and needs more gearing. I live at 5000ft and usually only go up from there on trips so I like to over gear when in between two choices.

 

Rather than a hidden winch maybe consider just a receiver mount. Then you can use a receiver cradle instead. Cantilevered weight has far more affect on sag and clearance than the same weight stowed between the axles and this allows recovery from either end as well. The reciever adds more flexiblity without as much effective weight.

 

So, that's an interesting angle to this. I live in the Southern coastal plain flatlands (the Triangle of NC to be specific). But this truck is mainly for mountain adventures. It could go to 4,000 feet. Maybe even 5,000.

 

So you are thinking maybe something like this?:
https://mobtownoffroad.com/product/toyota-tacoma-front-recovery-bar/

 

See if there are any locals that have done the conversion and may let you take a test drive. Local threads.

 

That's a good idea.

 

tagged you over in the Raleigh thread

 

First and foremost: Have you gotten stuck before on these back roads? What is your justification for NEEDING lockers? Why not add a winch now instead? Why not add winch + bigger tires first and re-gear + lockers later?

I think you need to take a step back and truly evaluate your needs and explore other options before you go spending $3k++ adding gears and lockers front and rear.

IFFFFFFFFFFFFF you did decide to go ahead with gears, I would not go more than 4.88's.

Your truck is plenty capable in stock form, I would look for better recovery options at this time rather than lockers.

 

There is not tradeoff between recovery and lockers for me: I can do both.

 

@The Schwartz

He recently regeared and has 33s

 

A locker is the best thing you can buy for off roading. I can't tell you how many times my locker has helped me in tough situations on a trail, and also...i'd much rather be able to get through an obstacle without having to get out of my truck and winch every time. Also, Gears and a locker shouldnt cost 3k. Get a Yukon grizzly and call it good!

 

Your money. Do both then.

Seems counterproductive to do all that work and spend so much money only to roll on 32's though.

 

I am not really sure I follow where you are going with this. The tires I am on have done well for what I drive through. But I could still have traction issues, and still get stuck altogether, and in either case it could happen in a very remote area. And that's true no matter what size tires I am on.

?

 

This... but I ain’t scared of 5.29 vs 4.88!