Toyota 4Runner Topsites

DRIVETRAIN



GEARS:

I haven't changed the gears yet, but they should be changed very shortly. Check back soon on the outcome. With my lift kit also came larger tires, from 28" to 33". My truck was only set up to turn my little 28" tires. With the 33" tires 5th gear has become almost unusable. I can cruise at highway speeds in 4th gear and have my RPMS only at 2500. I have checked my spedometer with a handheld GPS and my speedometer is 7 MPH too low. I am going to change my current 3.73 gears for 4.88 gears. 4.88 gears should give me nice power and still allow me to cruise on the highway at decent speeds. I made this diagram as a general reference of what kind of RPM to expect with different setups. All the below info is for 2.7L 3rd generation 4Runners.


PERSON

TIRE

GEAR RATIO

TRANS. GEAR

SPEED

RPM

Nolan
2.7L 2wd 5spd

28"

3.73

5th

75 mph

2,600

Nolan

28"

3.73

5th

60 mph

2,200

Nolan

33"

3.73

5th

75 mph

n/a

Nolan

33"

4.88

5th

75 mph

n/a

Casey
2.7L 2wd 5spd

32"

4.88

5th

70 mph

3,000

Steve
2.7L 4wd 5spd

33"

4.56

5th

60 mph

2,300

Steve

33"

5.29

5th

75 mph

3,400

Steve

35"

5.29

5th

75 mph

3,200

Unk forum member
2.7L 4wd 5spd

31"

4.56

5th

75 mph

3,000


TRACTION:

I know my truck is only a 2wd and I know it will never be as capable as 4wd truck, but I can have some fun too right? With that said I am planing on adding a traction aiding device while I am having the rear differential out for the regear. My main perpose in getting some kind of traction aiding divice is to do some minor offroad trails. I would like to drive on fire-roads, trails at Ocotillo, and Glamis as well. I have 3 options available and they are: Toyota Electric Locking rear differential Retrofit $1500, Detroit Truetrac LSD $1000, and ARB air locking differential $1500. Those prices are the clost with the gear change and parts. Right now I am leaning towards the Detroit Truetrac because it is the least expensive and has good onroad manners. The only draw back is that it is an LSD, not a true locking rear differential. If one wheel gets in the air and has no traction the LSD will not lock up. As soon as I do the gear install I will post about what I got.


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