'99 Tacoma-Bigger tires-diff/gear changes

[tacosalad]

Hello. I'm a newbie here and fairly new to the hobby. I've got a '99 Taco V6 4x4 SR5 (manual locking hubs) bought new, and the first thing I did after joining the NM High Desert Cruisers is take off the stock P225/75 tires and upgrade to BFG All-Terrain 31s (still on 15 rims), prior to the lift I intended to do next. Of course, my performance plummeted as a result, especially when towing my pop-up trailer, and I know the rear differential and gear ratios need to be changed. This seems like a higher priority than the lift. I'm hearing ballpark figures of $700 for this and I doubt I could do it myself, really only comfortable changing oil, filters, bulbs, etc. and minor stuff with a Chilton's manual.

Am I right that this is something I shouldn't mess with, and if so, what do I need to know when talking to a mechanic to avoid getting taken to the cleaners?

Great site, btw, I'm glad I'm in mud!

[5280Hawk]

If there is such thing as a lower geared third member for that year Taco, you can do it.

just swap them out.

but if you have to remove the ring and pinion gear in the third you have, then you probably need a pro's help, because it requires shimming ect.

[Happy Trails]

I moved up to 32x11.5 BFG AT's on my 2000 Tacoma 5sp and hardly noticed
any difference in performance. My 5th gear seems to be fine. I wanted to
go with 33's or even 35's but decided against it due to the quote I was given
($1200) in regards to new gears. My friend has a Taco just like mine and he has 33's with no new gears and his performance is suffering.

[ringpinion.biz]

Gears really are about the biggest improvement you can make for the money. We sell complete 3rd members and individual parts for tacomas

[jtaco1]

recently put 4.88 gears in mine to help with the 33 and the 35 that are waiting to go on. I have the 2.7 and with 33's and 4.10 gears, it wasn't too bad, but with the 4.88 gear it is better.

Find out what gears your currently have in your truck and go from there, you may have 3.58 gears and stepping up to 4.10 or 4.56 gears would wkae the truck up.

For my set up I had a buddy set up the rear and I swapped in a front diff that was already geared, total price was around $650 for everything.

[FlatlandTRD]

Originally Posted by tacosalad

Hello. I'm a newbie here and fairly new to the hobby. I've got a '99 Taco V6 4x4 SR5 (manual locking hubs)

From your description, sounds as though you have 3.583s (because of the 225s). But look for your axle code just in case.

Axle Code Gear Ratio
RZN140L-TRMDKAB 3.416
RZN140L-TRMDKAB 3.583 2001
RZN140L-TRPDKAB 3.727 2001
RZN140L-TRSDKAB 3.583
RZN150L-CRMDKAB 3.416
RZN150L-CRMDKAB 3.583 2001
RZN150L-CRPDKAB 3.727 2001
RZN150L-CRSDKAB 3.583
RZN161L-TRMDKAB 3.583
RZN161L-TRMDKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel 1997-98
RZN161L-TRMDKAB 4.100 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 1999
RZN161L-TRMDKAB 3.909 2000
RZN161L-TRMDKAB 4.300 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 2000
RZN161L-TRPDKAB 4.100
RZN161L-TRPDKAB 4.555 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel 1997-98
RZN161L-TRPDKAB 4.555 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 1999-2000
RZN171L-CRMDKAB 3.583 1997-1999
RZN171L-CRMDKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel 1997-98
RZN171L-CRMDKAB 4.100 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 1999
RZN171L-CRMDKAB 3.909 2000
RZN171L-CRMDKAB 4.300 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 2000
RZN171L-CRPDKAB 4.100
RZN171L-CRPDKAB 4.555 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel 1997-98
RZN171L-CRPDKAB 4.555 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 1999-2000
RZN191L-TRPDKAB 3.909
RZN191L-TRPDKAB 4.300 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire
RZN196L-CRPDKAB 3.909
RZN196L-CRPDKAB 4.300 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire
RZN196L-CRPDKAB 4.100
RZN196L-CRPDKAB 4.555 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire
VZN150L-CRMDKAB 3.153
VZN150L-CRSDKAB 3.153 1997-98 & 2000, 3.583 1999
VZN150L-CRSDKAB 4.100 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire
VZN160L-TRMDKAB 3.909
VZN160L-TRPDKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel
VZN170L-CRMDKAB 3.909
VZN170L-CRMDKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel
VZN170L-CRMGKAB 3.909
VZN170L-CRMGKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel
VZN170L-CRPDKAB 3.909
VZN170L-CRPDKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel
VZN170L-CRPGKAB 3.909
VZN170L-CRPGKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel
VZN195L-CRPDKAB 3.909
VZN195L-CRPDKAB 4.100 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire

Am I right that this is something I shouldn't mess with, and if so, what do I need to know when talking to a mechanic to avoid getting taken to the cleaners?

You are right, unless you find used 4.10 (AT) or 3.91 (MT) 3rd members to swap in the front and rear. You will want non-TRD 3rds. Best advice on what to know, search (ttora , 4x4wire, yotatech), read, take out your own 3rds and order everything yourself (paying less is good, but cheap is not best).

Great site, btw, I'm glad I'm in mud!

It will be by far your best mod, just plan for the future, because if you ever think you will lift and go to 33s, you'll want 4.56s. Here's some more fun for ya, and welcome.

http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56784

[SAR_Squid79]

You should not mess with Re-Gearing a differential your self. This is one of those things that needs to be done by a professional - preferably one who specializes in Differentials, Axles & Transmissions. I wouldn't even trust a general mechanic or Off-Road shop to do it. If it's just a little bit wrong it can cause SERIOUS EXPENSIVE damage to your truck - and sometimes it takes a year or longer to break. Your best bet is to suck it up, and pay a specialist to do it.

NOW - that having been said - I do agree with 5280Hawk, that if you can find a 3rd that's already together that has the gears you want, it is pretty easy just to swap them out.

Here is a good chart for you:

The numbers indicate RPM at 65 MPH in 4th gear of a 5-sp manual tranny (1:1 ratio)

[gregers05]

you must have the 3.58 gears to notice a loss of power with 31" a/ts. ive been running 33s with 4.10s and its not that bad power wise...at least not bad enough for me to drop 1k on gears. its something that i eventually would like to do cause gas mileage sucks

[tacosalad]

Great info guys, 'ppreciate it! I got a line on some discount 4.10 3rds, but I think I'll just watch and learn on the install.

Lockers?? Everyone says while I'm in, put in lockers. I'm assuming only on the rear. Probably all I can afford anyway. Can you even put them on the front with manually locking hubs, and if so is it worth it?

[Blue_Stone]

I think since you have the manual hubs up front, you might be able to use the same locker/LSD as the 2nd & 3rd gen Pre-Tacos. Definately worth it in the front since you have manual hubs, and not ADD.

As to the rear, since you dont have the TRD E-locker, you have the newer oddball 8.4" rear diff, so you're stuck with only a couple locker choices for the rear.