A couple questions upfront: how much does weight affect the decision to regear to 4.88s? If I do regear on my current tire size 285/70/17 will I be able to drive 80-85 mph on the highway?
Since Ive been doing quite a bit of wheeling Ive developed a need and desire to at least add rear locker. I've decided to go with an ARB air locker and I'll be sending my diff(s) out to ECGS to do the locker install. In my quote from ECGS they are going to put in and setup new ring and pinion gears. So there is no additional cost to go to 4.88 gears. Of course the next logical question after choosing elocker or air locker is the question of whether or not to regear. I'm leaning to just biting the bullet and sending in both diffs which really puts pressure on me to make a decision as to what I want to do, go 4.88s or keep the stock 4.30s.
Heres some info on my truck: 99 LX470, rear LSD and 4 speed trans, 4.30 stock gear ratio. Current tires are Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 285/70/17, so I think thats a 32.8" tire, on 17" Icon wheels with 25mm offset. Stock AHC suspension. I'm carrying quite a bit of extra weight in the form of front bumper with winch, rear bumper with dual swingouts, skids, sliders and roof rack.
In terms of the use of the truck, its not a daily driver, but it does see a bit of use on road trips so highway driving usually around 80-85 mph. I have not paid enough attention to the rpms when at that speed but I do not that my speedo is 5 mph lower than actual speed. Offroad I'm not a fan of rock gardens, I'd prefer mud. The truck is built more for overlanding so I dont think I need 35s but as I'm doing more upgrades like the lockers I dont want to be limited by tire size.
I've done quite a bit of searching and reading various post, not only in the 100 forum but the 200 and 80 forum as well and from what I can tell if you have 35s definitely do the 4.88s. Where it gets kinda muddy is if you're not running 35s. I've seen people say regear with 33s and the 4 speed. Does it matter than I dont have true 33s? Should I still regear? If I do what rpm will I be seeing at 80mph with the 4 speed trans?
I just brought the 285/70/17 Ridge Grapplers so I dont want to get new tires but if I were to go bigger what size should I get on the 17" wheels? Can I go 35x12.50x17 with the 25mm offset Icons? Or do I need to do like a 315/70/17?
I apologize for the long post, feel like I'm kinda rumbling but I'm on the cusp if dropping a good bit of coin and want to make sure I'm making a good decision.
Since Ive been doing quite a bit of wheeling Ive developed a need and desire to at least add rear locker. I've decided to go with an ARB air locker and I'll be sending my diff(s) out to ECGS to do the locker install. In my quote from ECGS they are going to put in and setup new ring and pinion gears. So there is no additional cost to go to 4.88 gears. Of course the next logical question after choosing elocker or air locker is the question of whether or not to regear. I'm leaning to just biting the bullet and sending in both diffs which really puts pressure on me to make a decision as to what I want to do, go 4.88s or keep the stock 4.30s.
Heres some info on my truck: 99 LX470, rear LSD and 4 speed trans, 4.30 stock gear ratio. Current tires are Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 285/70/17, so I think thats a 32.8" tire, on 17" Icon wheels with 25mm offset. Stock AHC suspension. I'm carrying quite a bit of extra weight in the form of front bumper with winch, rear bumper with dual swingouts, skids, sliders and roof rack.
In terms of the use of the truck, its not a daily driver, but it does see a bit of use on road trips so highway driving usually around 80-85 mph. I have not paid enough attention to the rpms when at that speed but I do not that my speedo is 5 mph lower than actual speed. Offroad I'm not a fan of rock gardens, I'd prefer mud. The truck is built more for overlanding so I dont think I need 35s but as I'm doing more upgrades like the lockers I dont want to be limited by tire size.
I've done quite a bit of searching and reading various post, not only in the 100 forum but the 200 and 80 forum as well and from what I can tell if you have 35s definitely do the 4.88s. Where it gets kinda muddy is if you're not running 35s. I've seen people say regear with 33s and the 4 speed. Does it matter than I dont have true 33s? Should I still regear? If I do what rpm will I be seeing at 80mph with the 4 speed trans?
I just brought the 285/70/17 Ridge Grapplers so I dont want to get new tires but if I were to go bigger what size should I get on the 17" wheels? Can I go 35x12.50x17 with the 25mm offset Icons? Or do I need to do like a 315/70/17?
I apologize for the long post, feel like I'm kinda rumbling but I'm on the cusp if dropping a good bit of coin and want to make sure I'm making a good decision.