87 4Runner... 4:88 Gears stock except for 31" Tires

[TJ96TLC]

Will I regret adding 4:88 gears and running 31" tires. I just got my ac fixed and it drags me down. I was getting good gas mileage till the ac was repaired. I was thinking of purchasing a front diff with 4:88's from a fellow mudder and completing rear diff as well.

My average driving speed is 60 on highway, 70 miles a day, hilly North GA terrain. Its kinda between gears right now.

Thoughts??

 

[KLF]

33's will put you back to stock with 4.88's.

 

[TJ96TLC]

I doubt i will be going up to 33's for a while. Im wondering what they would feel like with 31's...

 

[Combat Chuck]

your fuel economy wil suck, but you will have more power than you will know what to do with.

 

[TJ96TLC]

I was worried about fuel economy...but currently i have to use 4th at higher rpms pretty often so maybe i could run 5th all of the time.

 

[Combat Chuck]

Sounds like you have a plan, then. 33's and 4.88's are on my to-do list, too (someday).

Basically, you'll just be over-revving everywhere you go, but it won't be that bad, maybe a drop of anywhere from 2-4 MPG, nothing like going from a 2WD 22RE to a 4X4 Suburban.

 

[Chop Shop]

If you noticed, toyota trucks are overgeared and underpowered.

You might just pick up some mileage by not working the engine so hard.

An engine with less load working at a higher rpm can effeciently use less fuel than a loaded up low rpm engine that is sending alot of unburned fuel out the tailpipe.

Toyotas are turds.

Toyotas are not gas mileage rigs anyways.

I would take the chance at having some normal power and maybe even getting to use 5th gear sometimes even if it meant a few mileage points.

You are using a GPS to figure mileage right? I wouldnt trust the gauge at all.

 

[TJ96TLC]

I was using the guage adjusted for tire size...

 

[pappy]

I don't think you will like it. Now 31" tires and 4.56 diffs would probably be the ticket. Assuming manual tranny. If you have an auto, then the 4.88 might work with the 31" tires. After all, that is exactly what Toyota did.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I have 4.56 diffs, manual tranny, and 31" BFG AT's in our 85 4Runner. No problem using 5th on the interstate. I'm not sure that I would like 4.88 gears either.

 

[TJ96TLC]

I have a manual...hows the fuel mileage on the 4:56 with 31's???

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I have a manual...hows the fuel mileage on the 4:56 with 31's???

No idea. My 17 yo is driving it right now and we just fill it up when it gets empty.

 

[TJ96TLC]

Decided to hold off for now.

 

[Combat Chuck]

Decided to hold off for now.

Good call. That's a step I wouldn't take unless I was totally ready for it. Keep it 4.11 and 31's for now, and when you're ready, then take the dive!

 

[TJ96TLC]

I actually picked up another truck and am getting ready to sell the 4runner.