Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

While i theory these are right. They are actually false.

I find that I'm at 3200ish for just 70mph. With 35s and 5.29.

Yea that seems high. But the 5vz does not mind it at all.



As for 4.88s and 35s. Yea it would be okay. But not fun in the rocks. My 1st gear is awesome now. I love it. Walks over damn near everything. I was originally going to run 4.88s but am super glad I didnt.

If your sticking to 33s which for all intensive purposes, really is the most ideal tire for our trucks, 4.88s for sure for low gear effect. 4.56 for stock like feel. But if you are thinking 35s. Seriously. 5.29.

Also, Joey has 5.29s and 33s. Doesn't seem to bother him. However, he is also an auto which knocks everything down about 500rpm.

 

That would be correct and I'm glad you spoke up. Actual final drive is .838 or something close to that so yes the actual rpm's will be just a bit higher than what I posted.

Only posted all that to keep Squeaky up nights thinking about what would be the best for his current and future needs.

 

Oh I just figured that happened regardless..lol









Does to me..

 

for 3-4 nights, after i placed my order, long late nights googling stuff beyond my own comprehension, debating on if i had made the right choice. Waking up late at night in a cold sweat...

 

Mines more of laying in bed un able to sleep because I spend 6 months a year planning mods while I'm away from the truck...lol

 

Well, I've got plenty of time to think over my decision, but I'm tired of having a 4 speed with a downhill gear. I've spent the last year or more planning mods as I spend a shit ton of money of school....


If I can remember all the way back to being stock, used to run fairly close to 3K RPM at about 80mph with the 31s. Every time I head up to the mountains now I pull 65mph in 3rd and close to 4K RPM and it sings right along for 10-15 minutes straight. So yeah, I'm not afraid of a higher RPM, especially considering how little interstate I drive.

And I think it's funny you say 4.88s and 35s would be fun in the rocks Monte. You know how much time I've spent in 4L on 33s with 4.10s? I've learned to work with it, so any improvement in crawl ratio would be awesome.

 

This shit is getting too complex. I am gonna switch to RC crawling and mothball the truck.

 

It's a sad state of affairs when it comes to my RC crawler too...

 

Shit, I have one of those too, Axial AX10?

 

Damn! Everyone has an RC crawler. Where the hell have I been?

 

You're missing out man!
these were kits, locked diffs, range of motors/pinion gears for gearing up or down, rear steer capable.

 

Yep. I've had all sorts of RC cars over the years but never a crawler. Bought this used from some big crawler guy several years and it's fairly nicely setup with weighted wheels and some other stuff I don't understand. Pretty fun when you have some cool areas to run it on.

Fun hobby, it's taken a backseat with the truck and school and stuff. I kind of got out of the cars and into flying for the most part though:

 

Nice. I did foamies for a bit. Helicopters took control for a few years. Shelves of RC cars, nitro and electric. Money pit, all of it.

 

So what exactly happened Brett?

 

Ahh 4.10s and 33s...I remember it well.











It sucked haha

Compared to how it is now. Id never go back. I love the low range now. Super low.

 

I've got some real life experience here maybe shed some insight. I think you've seen my truck. I have 2000 4Runner auto with J shift, ecgs and ZUK built 4.88's and front locker. Currently am running 285 st maxx but I had a set of 295 hankook dynapros MTs like you. I do have a SC so there's a small difference there. Oh and my truck had come with 4.30's.

Now with the 285 and these gears the truck runs great. I can't burn out on pavement but I don't ever try to, it's not happening at 6500 feet. When heading into the hills, I can easily maintain speed go over the speed limit 10-20 if I want. I click the overdrive off and let her sit right at 3000 rpms and 60mph up the hill she goes. Engine temp will sit at 190 and the atf 150-165. If I stab it and the sc kicks in the afr will drop and then your passing ppl going uphill in a loaded 4Runner. When I'm out on the open road with the OD off it will sit at 3000 rpms and 80mph.

Overdrive on-if I turn it off rpms will jump 1000.


Overdrive on-running a little hot b4 all new cooling system.
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In 4 low it is very noticeable as well. I can get out of the truck and walk next to it. Not through an obstacle or anything like that. Big improvement ofroad as well.

When I had the 295's, I never wheeled with them except one snow day. The tires were ok but made a noticeable change in the way the truck accelerated and felt. I knew right away that I would be sticking with 33's having 4.88's. I feel they are perfect for that tire size and make the truck a joy to drive. If I had 5.29's then I would be wanting the 35's. To me though after all the wheeling I have done, not once have I not made a run or an obstacle bc of 33vs35 when a equal truck w/ larger tires did.

 

Was doing a tire rotation due to bad wear, so was just moving tires around in no real pattern. Started by breaking the lugs on the rear axle, and putting it on jack stands, but ended up only swapping one of the rear tires. Forgot to tighten the lugs on the one I didn't touch. Had a slight new vibration that I attributed to the poorly worn mud tire I moved to the rear. Like 3 miles later the lugs decided to leave the truck and the wheel came off the studs. Miraculously, the wheel did not fall off completely, but rode on the drum while I pulled over. This is what caused the damage to the wheel. No damage to the studs, found 4 out of 6 lugs on the road, and also lost the center cap. I think the wheel is OK.

Live and learn. I've always said the hardest way to learn is the best. Now I know the vibration you get when lugs aren't tight. It was a bit disconcerting though when the wheel hops off the lugs.

Thanks for the info man! Nice to have some more opinions from someone who wheels a lot at altitude too. It was a major struggle on the Alpine Loop between the gears and lack of power at 12K. Thinking 4.88s and sticking with 33s is my best option. 5.29s and 35s is a possibility, but it's a lot of work, and like you said, wouldn't make a major difference. I'm constantly amazed at the clearance and capabilities of these first gens (3rd in your case) when comparing to other vehicles.

 

^^^ yeah I was looking at the scratch marks on the wheel making me trying to figure out what happened and just thought to ask. From the sound of it. It could of been worse and I'm glad it wasn't. We all try to over think projects and get distracted it's just one of those things. Don't be to hard on yourself. Just a simple lesson learned. Glad you and the truck is ok.