The 4.88 mega thread!!

Okay, so install kits for Sport and OR are two different part numbers. It would be the non e-locker part number which is what I had initially suspected but wanted to get confirmation. So, if someone was getting chatter, it very well could have been improper installation which again reverts to one of my original statements of making sure to use a shop that does this regularly and has highly qualified techs to do it.

 

Oh it definitely accelerates faster and with ease. Even in stock form with factory gearing, you kinda had to stomp on it to get the truck to move. Now it just gets up and goes easily. With stock gearing, shit, I was around 13 mpg with those heavy Toyo's.

Cost will vary depending on the shop you use. I've seen some people get sub 2k and others a bit under 3k. I'd say closer to the 3k ballpark for a 4x4 and opting for either cryo or REM polishing.

I'm sure @SDHQ OFFROAD can chime in regarding pricing for the gears that they have on the shelf. Again, their's are already REM polished, so they ship ready to install and drive.

 

Anybody can feel free to DM us for pricing and I can explain the process, parts, etc. One thing to keep in mind is that those lower sub 2k prices are generally shops doing just the gears. When we do the installs, we use master install kits which replace all the bearings, races, crush sleeves, nuts, seals, etc.

 

Good point. If you're gonna have all of this stuff apart, it's worth replacing everything. Don't want to have to go back in because of a failed bearing that you could have replaced when you were in there the first time. Additionally, again, proper gear setup is HUGELY important. There's other members on here @honey who can speak in regard to what happens with improper gear setup.

 

good to hear... i'll be contacting @SDHQ OFFROAD when the time comes for my regear!

 

http://store.sdhqoffroad.com/nitrogearandaxle.aspx

As well for anybody that wants to purchase them and have them installed locally/DIY.

 

3D-Offroad here in the springs does installs at about $1000 for labor ($450 rear/ $550 front).

 

Nice write up, since going to 33's I've noticed a deep in acceleration (moreso now) this is looking to be a very good option seeing so many positive feedback.

Did you by chance install the hypertech speedo calibration unit?

 

I did. Super easy to install but one important thing to note is that it will not work if you enter the tire size with its aspect rations (285/70 17).. You have to just measure the tire in inches and then use that number when programming the unit. Ultimately, you want the reading under "Final Drive" to be at or near 1.0, so you can fudge the numbers a little until you get there.

 

Whoa so you went from like 13mpg up to around 18-19mpg? That's fantastic!

 

It wasn't an overnight change. Took the truck a minute to "learn" and of course my MPG's we way out of what before the speedometer recalibration. But ultimately in the end it was a big improvement.

I also ran the truck with and without an Airaid CAI to see which one it liked better. seems that I got about 1mpg better with the stock airbox and a TRD exhaust vs the airaid oddly enough.

 

If you are in the Bay Area rear end specialities does a really good job. Even pulling apart my sort of modified truck it was only 1100 for labor.

The gears I don't remember how much. I got one of the first sets available.

It went from pretty much 4th gear everywhere and 65-70 max with 35's to cruising at 75 in sixth with 37's.

Gas mileage we won't talk about.

 

37's!!! Holy hell!!

 

One day, Jerry. One day.

 

I got the 4.88 with the arb lockers.

If you do this set up.. here are couple of things to look out for.

The master kit from Nitro gears had the wrong parts for my sport. When I called them about it they told me they knew about it and to "deal with it" then they hung up on me. When I called back they cussed me out and told me it was installer error and hung up again... DO NOT EXPECT HELP FROM NITRO if you have issues and I would stay away from them for your gears and DO NOT GET THEIR MASTER KITS FOR YOUR TRUCK.

I have also had one of the Lockers have some blow back (gear oil getting back up the line to the pump) which I guess is a common issue for the air lockers. They have actually been pretty chill about it and paid for the labor and parts.

I might have looked for a different locker like an eaton or something.

Over all.. the truck is more suited for 33/35 inch tires but it doesnt make up for this 3.5 engine/trans. It is like way way better though. If you dont need the Locker and youre just looking for the 4.88's its great. I think the 4.30's on the MT taco would have been perfect on all models but the 3.90 is not great for the torque and weight of the 3rd gen.


I heard yotamasters in LA are an amazing shop

 

@JerryTaco this was one of the people I was talking about that had a SPORT but got the wrong bearings etc in the kit which ultimately caused major headaches for him... this is why I am worried being a SPORT owner but wanting the 4.88's I want to be 100% sure everything is going to go smoothly and not have to pay over and over again for the gears to be taken out and fixed etc.

 

They are different part numbers.

Check before install?

 

This.

 

true but to someone like myself who has very little gear experience and something that could cause such an issue I just like to be as prepared as possible lol plus I only know of maybe 2 SPORTS that have had regears and the rest have all been OR's so that also concerns me a little lol FYI/off topic leaf springs should be arriving this week... when do you want to have the man date? lol

 

OFF TOPIC: I'm actually looking at an Eaton Trutrac up front. No driver input needed and it will work similarly to a locker with all the Tacoma ATRAC crap on it. Though they don't make a 3rd Gen tacoma specific Trutrac so I'm wondering if I can use the same model for an FJ80 since they are both 8" reverse clamshells with 30 spine axles.