4:56, a S/C, and 35's is another option. 
Gears -- 4.56 or 4.88?
- Thread starter Hondo
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
As far as armor goes, I got the ARB bumper up front (no which) and a Sean built rear bumper with a tire carrier. I took the third seat row out and the OEM spare tire carrier from under the truck to lighten everything up a bit.
4:56, a S/C, and 35's is another option.
Eventually (read wife's approval) I'll go the s/c way. and still use 33's most of the time.
35's will be primarily used off road.
33's still the preferred tire size for road trips to Big Bear or who knows, maybe even Lake Tahoe.
I've got 35's, SC, and 4.88's heavy loaded with armor/gear. I absolutely love the setup. The truck accelerates awesome, especially from a slow roll. On the highway it accelerates without downshifting probably better than my diesel truck. RPM's at 75 are somewhere under 3000, iirc about 2700 or 2800. When i keep my foot out of it (which is rare), my mileage is 12.5 at pretty much any speed.
Even with 285's and my current setup I'm wanting a regear.
I had custom built bumpers (heavier than ARB), winch, and sliders when I went to 4:88's.
Here was one of my deciding factors; when Slee Off Road builds an expedition rig on 285's with a S/C and has 4:56 gears, then if I'm going 315's it's best to step one one level to 4:88's.
On the current rig when I regear I'm considering 4:88's as it gives me the freedom to run anywhere from 33-37" tires. Given the grades we have to drive down in SoCal to get to our wheel destinations it's nice to have the extra pull.
I know others will chime in. Many run stock gears on 35's and 37's and say it's fine. I think it all depends on what your tolerance level is, priorities, and finances.
I had custom built bumpers (heavier than ARB), winch, and sliders when I went to 4:88's.
Here was one of my deciding factors; when Slee Off Road builds an expedition rig on 285's with a S/C and has 4:56 gears, then if I'm going 315's it's best to step one one level to 4:88's.
On the current rig when I regear I'm considering 4:88's as it gives me the freedom to run anywhere from 33-37" tires. Given the grades we have to drive down in SoCal to get to our wheel destinations it's nice to have the extra pull.
I know others will chime in. Many run stock gears on 35's and 37's and say it's fine. I think it all depends on what your tolerance level is, priorities, and finances.
Personally I have no issue with stock gear and 35s, in fact I really enjoy the rubber over drive and even got a little better MPG on highway. But if you regear might as well go to 4.88 because 4.53 simply isn't enough of a difference to justify the money and work. BUT I'm never in a huge hurry and advanced the crap out of timing so YMMV. You are more than welcome to try mine one of these days.
Last edited:
Qball, it's not about how fast you can go. I will never race my 80.
Sometimes on street surface, especially at a corner when you're in 2nd gear and step on it, it feels like you got a huge amount of turbo lag. Nothing happens, you just crawl for a while, until the revs pick up and it starts to move.
Big Bear, Grapevine and other place we go off roading, when you hit that hill and the car says "take your time", it gets a little frustrating.
We all drive modern cars with 4, 6 or 8 cyl and they all are really zippy, no matter what brand. You kinda get used to it.
Again, I am not looking at making the 80 into a street racer. Just a little more useful and bring it into the 21st Century.
At this time, for some reason, I am fixating a little on the 4.56 due to 33's, Toyota spec and did I mentioned a supercharger more than 7 times already?
I'll be in the Valley on Saturday. Hopefully there are no change in plans... kids, wife, neighbor's dog, neighbor's wife, etc
Sometimes on street surface, especially at a corner when you're in 2nd gear and step on it, it feels like you got a huge amount of turbo lag. Nothing happens, you just crawl for a while, until the revs pick up and it starts to move.
Big Bear, Grapevine and other place we go off roading, when you hit that hill and the car says "take your time", it gets a little frustrating.
We all drive modern cars with 4, 6 or 8 cyl and they all are really zippy, no matter what brand. You kinda get used to it.
Again, I am not looking at making the 80 into a street racer. Just a little more useful and bring it into the 21st Century.
At this time, for some reason, I am fixating a little on the 4.56 due to 33's, Toyota spec and did I mentioned a supercharger more than 7 times already?
I'll be in the Valley on Saturday. Hopefully there are no change in plans... kids, wife, neighbor's dog, neighbor's wife, etc
hello all, old post but good info, want to share my experience
my Land Cruiser has a TRD Super charger and 35 tires.
I used it on 4.10 ok but had to change since i broke the rear pinion and ring.
I decided to go with Nitro 4.88 for the car.
To be fair here in Colombia there are a LOT of mountains so its great going up hill, but, on the long roads to the coast at 110 KPyH (about 70 MPH) i have to rev the car too much to take it up to 80 if i wanted.
Take into account that gasoline in Colombia is s*** so if i could fill with US gasoline i belive i could do 80 at the same RPM.
at the moment i do 70 MPH at about 2500-2800 rpm I fell its too much. And on the uphill i can easy accelerate the car up to 3rd gear (manual box)
So now I would love to hav 4.56 for the car to have a bit better top speed.
the thing is, im not sure if i would get better MPG. To explain why its like with bigger tires. bigger tires you get lower RPM at a sertain speed, but you consume more gasoline because the engine works harder to mantain that speed. So, would it be better to have a higher RPM and the engine working less with the bigger gears??? question for someone that would know.
If any one has experice with Super Charged 4.56 with 35 (315) tires thank a lot.
my Land Cruiser has a TRD Super charger and 35 tires.
I used it on 4.10 ok but had to change since i broke the rear pinion and ring.
I decided to go with Nitro 4.88 for the car.
To be fair here in Colombia there are a LOT of mountains so its great going up hill, but, on the long roads to the coast at 110 KPyH (about 70 MPH) i have to rev the car too much to take it up to 80 if i wanted.
Take into account that gasoline in Colombia is s*** so if i could fill with US gasoline i belive i could do 80 at the same RPM.
at the moment i do 70 MPH at about 2500-2800 rpm I fell its too much. And on the uphill i can easy accelerate the car up to 3rd gear (manual box)
So now I would love to hav 4.56 for the car to have a bit better top speed.
the thing is, im not sure if i would get better MPG. To explain why its like with bigger tires. bigger tires you get lower RPM at a sertain speed, but you consume more gasoline because the engine works harder to mantain that speed. So, would it be better to have a higher RPM and the engine working less with the bigger gears??? question for someone that would know.
If any one has experice with Super Charged 4.56 with 35 (315) tires thank a lot.
Why not get a set of 37"s instead?
315x75r16's and 4.88's, 6400 lb truck. Near sea level but plenty of hills and towing. RPM are not excessive at all and I can actually cruise at 75mph without issue. And a 1FZE-FE will run 3000 rpm or higher all day long,. Not sure why people think it won't...
After doing a lot of reading I personally am going with 4.56
The differential gear ratio is mainly important for road performance.
I have now 265 and I like very much the road drivabilty on the road, I will not tow nothing! And I plan going in the near future to 285. On long run, maybe 315.
I am adding f&R bumpers with winch trail equipment and 22 gallons of water, 12 gallons of extra fuel. And some food for the camels a lot of turkish coffee and Hooka kit.
I think for me 4.88 is too much.
On the trail I always in low gear so I will see how it goes if there will be a need I can always go and Install a kit like this:
Land Cruiser Crawler Gears | Marlin Crawler, Inc.
The differential gear ratio is mainly important for road performance.
I have now 265 and I like very much the road drivabilty on the road, I will not tow nothing! And I plan going in the near future to 285. On long run, maybe 315.
I am adding f&R bumpers with winch trail equipment and 22 gallons of water, 12 gallons of extra fuel. And some food for the camels a lot of turkish coffee and Hooka kit.
I think for me 4.88 is too much.
On the trail I always in low gear so I will see how it goes if there will be a need I can always go and Install a kit like this:
Land Cruiser Crawler Gears | Marlin Crawler, Inc.
Good thread....So does anybody have any opinions for us 3FE guys with 35's?
I have 35's with stock gearing and my rig has poor performance on the road. It is terrible going up hills.
So..4:88 or 4:56?
I have 35's with stock gearing and my rig has poor performance on the road. It is terrible going up hills.
So..4:88 or 4:56?
4.88.
gofast
SILVER Star
6400 lbs empty with 35's and 4.88. I pass on hills, tow my converted m101 and cruise at 85 through Idaho on the way to Utah.
About 12 percent under geared from factory but I'm heavier loaded at 6800 lbs my last trip south. My ultra Gage reads 12.5 mpg pretty much regardless of speed unless I do a sustained climb where it will dip into the high 11's depending on grade, whether I'm trying to maintain speed, and duration of climb.
Great combo and I drive with OD on unless towing uphill and its always in power mode to hold the shift pattern higher.
Not sure why I'd do a different ratio unless going to 37's.
About 12 percent under geared from factory but I'm heavier loaded at 6800 lbs my last trip south. My ultra Gage reads 12.5 mpg pretty much regardless of speed unless I do a sustained climb where it will dip into the high 11's depending on grade, whether I'm trying to maintain speed, and duration of climb.
Great combo and I drive with OD on unless towing uphill and its always in power mode to hold the shift pattern higher.
Not sure why I'd do a different ratio unless going to 37's.
COS80
SILVER Star
I know some people dislike bumping an old thread, but this seems like the right place for this, so SHUTTY.
I have a supercharged 97 on a 2" Ironman lift and 33s. It's primarily a trail rig, but I drive it to the trail, so it needs to be able to make a highway trip. I feel the power is adequate with the 33s, though I've never driven it with stock 31s to know what it "should" feel like. It spends 95% of its time between 6,700 and 12,000 feet above sea level. I've found it's limits on the trail, and I'd like to raise them. I'm working on a plan to upgrade, slowly, in two phases:
It seems like 4.56s are not widely available EDIT: I just found a source for Revolution 4.56s. Effective 5.37 seems awfully low. The supercharger seems to be the monkey-wrench in this whole discussion, so my questions are these:
Your experiences and input are greatly appreciated.
I have a supercharged 97 on a 2" Ironman lift and 33s. It's primarily a trail rig, but I drive it to the trail, so it needs to be able to make a highway trip. I feel the power is adequate with the 33s, though I've never driven it with stock 31s to know what it "should" feel like. It spends 95% of its time between 6,700 and 12,000 feet above sea level. I've found it's limits on the trail, and I'd like to raise them. I'm working on a plan to upgrade, slowly, in two phases:
- 35s and differential regearing to 4.56 or 4.88.
- 37s, new suspension and all the supporting bits, and 10% underdrive high-range transfer case gears (effectively 5.02 or 5.37, respectively).
- Anyone out there have a supercharger and 37s with 4.88s and the underdrive TC gears (5.37 combo)? Is it a screamer on the highway?
- With the s/c, might I be able to get away with 4.88s for both 35s and 37s?
- This thread makes it pretty clear that 4.56s for 35s is a "waste of time", but given the plan and the s/c, does this combo make more sense?
Your experiences and input are greatly appreciated.
Last edited:
77mustard40
SILVER Star
I don’t have a SC but am running 35’s on stock 4.11 gears. Personally I’d go with the TC gears first, this effectively changes your high range to 4.56 which would be pretty close to a stock ratio with 35’s; AND you get the low range improvement for off-road. Once it’s time for 37’s you can decide how you want to gear the diffs.
I just installed 4:88's, been running 35's and stock gears. What a change for the good. The super charger should make no difference in what rpm's you are running. The mechanical advantage of the gears is easier on the drivetrain. I agree, 4:56's are a waste of time. With 4:88's you may or may not want the underdrive gears for 37's, so you have that option later on but could run on it for a while and not be too bad.
Last edited:
CharlieS
GOLD Star
What limits have you found on trail (this can help know what mitigation options might help)?
I run a normally aspirated, 3" lift, stock geared rig with 35 MTs and ARB lockers front and rear and the only limitation I've found so far is driver skill.
I'm in the middle (ever so slowly ) of regearing my transfer case high and low to improve crawl ratio and help with highway speed rpms, but this is more of a want to than need to.
I bet elevation plays a major role in whatever is causing the limitation. I don't really have to deal with that power robbing x-factor.
CharlieS
GOLD Star
Also, if you are doing the transfer low it is a perfect time for the high gear too.
