Replacing my stock gears with 4.88 gears

I'm looking to run 33's with a 3" suspension lift on 97, 2.7 manual transmission. First, is it necessary to upgrade my gear ratio from 4.10 (I'm assuming thats what it is, there is no sticker on the inside of door) to a 4.88? Second, is it fairly difficult task on your own?

 

If you don't know what you are doing I would advise not to do it. Take the diffs to a shop.

 

Fairly in-depth. If you are 4x4 you will need to swap both front and rear.

 

I'll take y'alls advice..... It worth asking.

 

I wouldn't change the gears. manual is fine. Don't waste the money for 33s.

 

Guess it depends on what your stock gearing is. Mine has like 3.58 stock gears & even with 31x10.50's its a complete turd. Can't imagine how bad it would be with 33's.

 

I roll 4.88's on my '00 3.4L, mt, 295 kooks
and I'd probably want to roll 5.29's if I had a 2.7L

IMO 4.88's should be good on the 2.7L mt
as long as the tires are not taller then a 33"

realize your speedometer will likely be off some.
I used a Dakota Digital signal processor to correct mine.
There are other methods... but they are not as accurate.

You can manually check your current gear ratio...
or you could probably call a dealership, share your VIN#,
and they will be able to tell you what ratio you have.

If you have no experience swapping gears...
I suggest using an experienced professional.
Even experienced general mechanics would seek out a professional
for the precision effort required.

It's not that it's really hard...
you just need to know what you're doing...
and have the proper tools and materials needed, on hand.

Investing into something you might only do once...
well... that's up to you.

 

^ X2

I had a 94 22RE 4x4 with 33s on it and changed the gearing to 4.88s. Make sure you take it to someone who knows what they are doing or just buy the whole third member from someone like West Coast Differentials. I bought just the ring and pinions and took it to a local shop. The guy swore up and down he had done ring and pinions before so I took his word for it. I immediately noticed a loud whine when I got my truck back. He claimed this was normal. After about a month I was pulling out of my driveway the I heard a loud "CLUNK!" Then my truck wouldn't move. Ended up talking to the guy and he said he would fix it. He didn't. It was still screwed up. So I ended up buying the complete third members and having them installed by a different mechanic. More expensive but much easier. Then I sued the mechanic after he wouldn't refund my money and claimed it was my driving that was probably blowing through ring and pinions. I got my money back but not after a huge hassle. I cannot reiterate enough what TacoDell said, "If you have no experience swapping gears...I suggest using an experienced professional."

With 4.88s my 22RE turned the 33s with no problem. My MPG went down and my speedometer was off by about 5-7 miles.

 

Give Just Differentials (http://www.justdifferentials.com/) a call. They specialize in Toyota and have excellent customer service. Even if they don't do the work (wrong coast), they can still talk you through their recommendations for your application.

Also, for correcting speedo after gears, check out the speedo gear mod: http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/speedometer-correction-by-t-case-gear-change.480939/

 

I have a 97 with the 2.7l and 4.88s, i love it pretty high RPMs on the highway but you get used to it.

 

Ive got 4.30s with 2.7 5spd and 32s. Its pretty good, at 65 its 2500rpms. 32s fit my needs perfectly.

 

Thanks for all the info gentlemen!! I'm pretfy sure I'll just look for a good mechanic in my area.... I have 31x10.50's on her now and I can fell the difference. So I know 33's are really gonna bog her down!

 

East Coast Gear Supply in Raleigh NC (LOCAL to YOU) is one of the Top Differential builders on the east coast. They just set up a 4.88 for the rear of my 96 Tacoma. I'm V-6 auto on 33's. It pulls the 33's well stock but the rear was growling and the pinion bearings were showing excessive up and down play. I need to rebuild it but why stay stock. I'd rather crawl around on lower gears + I plan on hooking the 21' Inboard ski boat to the Tacoma this summer for local trips to the lake. I set up rears myself and have built 20+ but it only cost me just over $100 to have their shop do it for me and I get a receipt + warranty. So when I resell I don't have to explain to the buyer that I set up the gears. Paper trail is good...
















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Spend the extra money and buy
US gears
American forged steel
and machined in house.
Better then any chinese mfgr'd gears.

I've beat on my US 4.88's since '05
worth the extra penny IMO.

It's also good time to think about lockers
if ya don't have those.
Now's the time to install them.

^ yukon and nitro... blah

 

To Each his own... Glad US Gear works for you ~ they did not even make my radar. . . But with your recommendation, I will look into them.

I'd prefer to support US Mfg. when I can (I make my living as a BLUE COLLAR / SHIFT WORKING / US Textile MFG). . . but I also do not expect a quality issue with my Yukon gears.



Many local club guys are successfully running Yukon's from ECGS and they are the big local shop. Also my local Toyota Top Gun tech (who also runs a Yota @ KOH) recommended Yukon ~ So i will give them a try.