4:88's are in, opinion...

[MJADDICTION]

4:88's are absolutely perfect for the 3FE. I'm crankin' right at 2800 RPM at 70 MPH (my speedo was readin' 80) in 4 OD with 32" tires. With the 33's I should be a little below that. Right in the power band of the 3FE.

My speedo reads about 10 MPH faster than the actual speed. I was 7MPH slower than actual speed with the 32's before re-gearring.

I had the timing advanced to 11*, cleaned the throttle body out, and new toyota plug wires. Tune-up was done 3000 miles ago. Smooth idle now, right at 650 RPM's. Also tightened the kick-down cable, and the throttle cable was loose. That got a little tightenning too. Throttle response is terrific for the 3FE.

The shift points are perfect. I don't have to lug around, or shift any longer. The 3FE is awake and very happy. Merging on a short ramp to the interstate is easy now. Before I was dealing with blaring horns and tailgators if I didn't have enough room to make a run for it. Totally different beast now. Driving around town is just throw it into D and let the tranny do the work.

Since I changed out the Birfs and d-flanges, new u-joints in the d-shafts, and a rebuilt front and rear axle... The Clunk is GONE!!

I highly recommend 4:88's for the 3FE with 32's or 33's!

 

[80jay]

Where did you get the gears from and how much I have been debating this for my rig for a long time.

 

[MJADDICTION]

gears are from Randy's ring and pinion. They are Yukon gears.

The gears and the full install kit cost $820. Expensive, but worth every penny in the power department. I paid about $150 per axle for the install.

 

[alkaline747trio]

I knew you'd be happy....now I just gotta suck it up and buy some 5.29s.

 

[MJADDICTION]

You were right. The truck is quiet, and for the 3FE... much quicker. I'll let you know what the MPG #'s are.

 

[alkaline747trio]

And people doubted me MPG will probably be better all around, as long as you stay below 70mph, lugging the engine is worse than getting deeper into the throttle MPG wise.

 

[MJADDICTION]

I was constantly shifting and running the RPM's up, or just lugging it around. Many times using all the "Go" pedal I had. Now, it's pretty much effortless. Goes through the gears as it should, with no lugging. I drove it around alot today. Really a very different, and improved ride. It's no race car, but fits my style of driving a big heavy SUV. Nobody's rushing to pass me the first chance they get, any longer.

 

[Letsgomoreplaces]

4.88s are a great combo!

Im sure that really woke it up!

 

[MJADDICTION]

Today I had the chance to run interstate that previously gave me fits with the original gearing. Very short steep grades that always had me in 3rd, struggling to maintain 70MPH at over 3000 RPMs. Today I set the cruise and the 80 didn't down shift one time. I was going 75MPH in OD running right at 2900 RPMs. Never lost speed, just trucked right along. This is honestly better than what my Ford F-150 could do with 35" tires and 3:73 gear ratio. The Ford had a 5.4L V-8 with several mods including programmer, dual cold air intake, and true dual exhaust with high flow cats and flow master exhaust.

I really can't believe how well the 3FE runs now with the new gears. The tranny seems to be right in the range of gears necessary to drive comfortably. The 80 doesn't struggle at all. At Interstate speeds of 70, I can just apply a little more pressure to the padal, and I'm going 80+. Before I spent many times with the pedal on the floor.

I am running super unleaded now though, with the timing adv. I'll have some MPG's
soon.

Now it's time for a towing test...

If you have a 3FE, Get Some Gears!!

 

[cruiser88]

And people doubted me MPG will probably be better all around, as long as you stay below 70mph, lugging the engine is worse than getting deeper into the throttle MPG wise.

not me that poor 3fe does not stuggle now

 

[Cruising@5280]

Just wondering why you are using the expensive gas? Even with advancing the timing, isn't it still a low compression engine?

I think your post has swayed me from the 4.56's to the 4.88's. Glad to hear how much more alive the mighty 3FE is.

 

[Letsgomoreplaces]

4.88

4.88 and 3fe w/ 33's is a great combo. RPM's arent up too high and they really benifit by staying in OD more often.

Just wondering why you are using the expensive gas? Even with advancing the timing, isn't it still a low compression engine?

I think your post has swayed me from the 4.56's to the 4.88's. Glad to hear how much more alive the mighty 3FE is.

 

[MJADDICTION]

I was getting a little pinging after the adv. timing. I put super in it, and it quit. I'm going to drop it down to some mid grade to see if it pings.

I would not waste my money on 4:56's with 32 or 33" tires. You will be much happier witht he 4:88's. I drove about 150 miles today, and it's like driving a V-8. Cruise, no loss of speed on hills, tons of power right where you need it. She starts to run out of legs at about 90 MPH... But who needs to drive a cruiser at that kind of speed?

There is no intrusive interior noise running the higher than stock RPMs either. There is alot of wind noise though on those front windows. I'm going to try some vent shades to see if the noise is reduced. This summer I'm going to rip the interior out to insulate the floor, and the doors.

Very comfortable at cruising speeds of 70 to 80 MPH. Set the cruise, no down shifts.

I checked MPG and previously I was getting about 12 MPG. First tank after the work, and gears looks like about 16MPG.

 

[cruiser88]

I was getting a little pinging after the adv. timing. I put super in it, and it quit. I'm going to drop it down to some mid grade to see if it pings.

I would not waste my money on 4:56's with 32 or 33" tires. You will be much happier witht he 4:88's. I drove about 150 miles today, and it's like driving a V-8. Cruise, no loss of speed on hills, tons of power right where you need it. She starts to run out of legs at about 90 MPH... But who needs to drive a cruiser at that kind of speed?

There is no intrusive interior noise running the higher than stock RPMs either. There is alot of wind noise though on those front windows. I'm going to try some vent shades to see if the noise is reduced. This summer I'm going to rip the interior out to insulate the floor, and the doors.

Very comfortable at cruising speeds of 70 to 80 MPH. Set the cruise, no down shifts.

I checked MPG and previously I was getting about 12 MPG. First tank after the work, and gears looks like about 16MPG.

thats on hell of a big difference

 

[80jay]

did they charge you $150 with you pulling the third member or did they do all the work?

 

[shep]

I'm glad to hear this worked out so well for you and others who have 4.88's in there 3FE 80's! This has definitely convinced me to swap gears too when I get my 33's. Thanks for the info!

 

[MJADDICTION]

That $150 was the total fee for the gear exchange (each axle) with him doing all the work. I also had a bunch of other stuff done, the whole front axle was rebuilt, including all the CDan stuff for front axle service. That cost alot more labor.

The PO had the rear axle seals replaced with some aftermarkets two years before I bought the 80. They were leaking. If your going to replace parts, use Toyota stuff. The xtra price is worth the money.

I ended up replacing the Birf's with some longer spline ("96 I think) stock Yotas from CDan, and the newer year drive-flanges. I couldn't find any of the Japanese aftermarkets anywhere. Everyone was backordered by at least 3 weeks. Slee offered some used old style, but I decided not to risk used Birfs with all new axle compnents. So new Yota Birfs ate into my OME medium lift budget for now.

If this gear change has done this for the 80 for dd, and I can tow my boat, then I think a rebuild or long block from Dan will be the way to go... when the 'Ol 3FE gives it up. That is instead of a V-8. I'm serious. This has really made a big change for the 3FE.

Breathe some life back into the 3FE, put some Gears in there...

Long Live The Mighty 3FE!!

 

[Moby]

If this gear change has done this for the 80 for dd, and I can tow my boat, then I think a rebuild or long block from Dan will be the way to go... when the 'Ol 3FE gives it up. That is instead of a V-8. I'm serious. This has really made a big change for the 3FE.

Breathe some life back into the 3FE, put some Gears in there...

Long Live The Mighty 3FE!!

Yeah, I agree. I've done bolt on performance mods (intake, throttlebody, ignition, custom exhaust...) and they all helped but moving to 4.56s (31" tires) was the best change I made. It is what convinced me to rebuild my 3FE (well, OK, I'm doing to a 2FE - currently being machined - but the basic premise still holds ).

 

[tntoyota]

I have a LC friend a previous, *B*J70 owner he absolutly dispises the 3fe for its popular opinion of others.


I used to live in coastal NC and there are places you can drive on the beach.

With that said, I think of the conditions the motor is going through and cant amagine (I can) puting an aluminum head in those situations.

All it takes is a few seconds to over heat aluminum, the time it takes for Iron might just save your life.


Hanywho...........

 

[extremetoy1]

I have a LC friend a previous, *B*J70 owner he absolutly dispises the 3fe for its popular opinion of others.


I used to live in coastal NC and there are places you can drive on the beach.

With that said, I think of the conditions the motor is going through and cant amagine (I can) puting an aluminum head in those situations.

All it takes is a few seconds to over heat aluminum, the time it takes for Iron might just save your life.


Hanywho...........

Glad to see you are happy with the 488s they are probablt the best (strongest ratio) you can get for an upgrade for some extra grunt.... funny how lower gears raise your gas mileage isnt it? not as much effort rquired to get you moving and up steep grades so you dont have to put your foot in it every time....

keep us updated on how they work out long term for you.