The 4.88 mega thread!!

YES! Six States Distributing in Portland. The driveline shop there is amazing and they do solid gear installs. Give them everything they need for the swap and you are golden. They have awesome customer service

 

I don't have the coin to do gears at the moment, but just want the OVTune. They do that? Thank so much!

 

When you’re ready for gears they will do it right.

 

Anyone know of a shop in NH or MA ?

 

I posted this in the 5.29 thread as well but what should I do here guys? I live here in the PNW, majority of driving is highway (70-85mph) and city during the week, obviously, we have pretty hilly terrain over here so mileage isn't great. I have a Pro with 285/75/16 KO2s on there and a Leer canopy. I don't plan on going with a lift or bigger than 33s (never say never though) but I will probably add some Caliraised sliders, aluminum armor, and aluminum front bumper to keep it light. I just ordered 4.88 from Nitro today as that's what was recommended but the worst feeling is knowing you should have done the bigger size. I already have OV Tune as well so that said, should I stick with the 4.88 or call them and say I want 5.29? I seem to be right on the line between the two.

 

Get the 5.29 and have Zero regerts

 

If AT go 5.29

 

Bam.

 

Welp, guess I’m switching to 5.29 then

 

I had 4.88's installed in my DCLB (thus Automatic) about three weeks ago and I've got about 1000 miles on them so far. My truck is stock except for 235/85r16 and a set of sliders on it, so it's not loaded down. I've been taking it easy up until this week, but I am so glad I finally had it done. Probably the best thing I could have done for my truck. I'm currently living in the Denver area for grad school, but I normally live in the CA Bay Area. Since I moved here, it seemed my truck was always struggling to get going or climb hills without stomping on it. 4.88's have definitely fixed the struggling, and really makes the truck enjoyable to drive. I actually find myself speeding because of the extra power it has. I'm on stock tune and don't plan to do OVTune. I'll try and see if they'll put the 2020 transmission update on it when I get back through the dealership, as it does still hunt and I just hold gears when I need to in S mode with ECT on. I've been driving it this way since I put the 235/85r16s on it, so I don't mind it. I'd say 4.88's is how the Auto 3rd gen Tacoma's should have been stock.

Like many reading this and the 5.29 thread, I did a ton of research trying to determine if I wanted 5.29's or 4.88's, came up with a bunch of excel spreadsheets comparing stock to 4.88's and 5.29's, looking at RPM vs Speed in every gear, and generally had to be honest with myself about how I use my truck now and in the future. I'll never run anything bigger than skinny 33's, get a 1-2" lift at most (if I ever do) or put more than some lightweight armor at most. One of the biggest targets I looked at was towing, and that's looking at turning ~3000rpm at 60mph in 4th gear with the 32" tires I have. And the other metric was highway, and now at 70mph it's turning around 2100rpm in 6th gear. The truck has a hell of a deep overdrive and an engine that loves revs with limited bottom end torque, so the gears definitely help overcome that limited bottom end torque hole that it always seemed to get stuck in.

The most remarkable is simply pulling away from a stop and how easily it accelerates. Going up decently steep country roads here around 20-45mph are perfect between 3rd and 4th with plenty of easy pulling away power. It cruises down the freeway and finally shifts into 6th gear, and even pulls a bit harder than I expected before it shifts down to 5th and that typically is all that's needed unless its a pretty good grade. And even at 70mph, 4th is only turning about 3700rpm and pulls well. At 45mph in city streets it shifts into 5th and cruises (which is amazing) and can even accelerate without downshifting. I can definitely see why many, especially those putting big rubber and loading it up with gear would want 5.29's, and I'd definitely suggest that if that's your course.

For me, 4.88's are perfect for how I use my truck, and I cannot wait to see how they perform at sea level back in CA. I've attached the spread sheets I used for my decisions based on a 32" tire size fofr both 4.88's and 5.29's. Hopefully this information will help others, and I want to thank everyone else who has contributed to this thread helping me make my decisions.

 

I'm interested in buying some 4.88's but have no idea of any near gear mechanics.
Has anyone ordered the pre-assembled 3rd members from ECGS and if so, how difficult are they to install?
Also, for the 4.88's and 5.29's in the pre-assembled, are they Nitro Gears? Or something else?

 

I think you will enjoy it bro. The 4.88’s provide a nice blend of rpms to power balance. There will be comprises in each gearing. Period. At 75mph with 32’s I think 5.29’s would be a bit annoying. Stick with the tire size you have a feel it out. I dig my 4.88’s with OVtunage for getting groceries to put in and pull this on 255/75/17’s.

 

these posts are the reason it’s so hard to make a decision. 4.88 sound better in my head but I can’t argue with those who have done it. Ideally I’d love to drive both before making a decision but that’s not possible. 4.88 was ordered Friday afternoon but I sent the email Saturday to switch to 5.29. As nothing has shipped and they’re the same price, I assume that will be okay.

Highway driving is my only worry. If I’m doing 80, it’s it going to sound like the rear end is about to explode or what? Most places I’m doing 75 on CC but there’s a few places I will need to put my foot in it and that’s where I’m worried with 5.29. Other members seem to have stories that I will be fine either way.

 

You’ll have more wind noise than rpm/engine noise at that speed so it’s kind of moot.

You probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between two trucks with 4.88 and 5.29. The 5.29 is just a little more.

 

Hey man don't sweat it, keep your 4.88's and don't look back. (It totally depends on your tire size though).
With 4.88's AND with 32.2" tires, your 6th gear RPM's would be the same as stock gear, stock tires at 5th gear.

Stock 3.90 gears, 30.6" tires, 5th gear


4.88, 32.2" tires, 6th gear

 

i heard back from Nitro this morning and they have me switched to 5.29. I’m sure I’ll be super happy with them but the only thing I’m sweating in my head is the mpg difference between the two and the way I drive. I’m not trying to drive a Prius but in the 1500 miles I’ve had it, the OBC is telling me I’m averaging 14mpg which is quite low in my mind, basically got that with my old 08 f150.

I just don’t want to throw these on and sink further below 14. If I could be around 16, I’d be happy.

 

Are you saying you averaged 14pmgs while stock?

 

Before I got the new tires on at 1k miles, the computer was saying around 15-15.2. With the new tires, I have not reset the computer, but it has dropped about 1mpg to 14-14.2. I have not hand calculated yet but will with my next couple of tanks. I'm also putting in 92 instead of 87.

 

oof gears may help actually but hard to say given your driving habits and conditions. I would honestly have to try to get to 14.

 

i'll say. 14mpg is what I get pulling my trailer on the highway