Re-gear

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/07/2014 at 11:38 • Filed to: advice

Anyone re-geared for towing performance? looking for real life experience not just links to gear calculators (don't you do it!)

I was thinking about re-gearing from 4.10 (stock) to 4.56 since I went up a tire size and I live at high altitude and want to tow a 3500 lbs trailer. I'm trying to decide if its worth the cost....i mean, its not...but I want to know how much benefit I really get or if its just minor.

The goal is 50 mph on the main highway passes at 4o on the really steep stuff. Laugh if you want, but that's all I could realistically hope for. And no, I'm not getting a new truck.

We still do advice on here, yeah?

DISCUSSION (22)

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 11:40

Lots of trucks have a button that change the ratios for you when towing, could look into what they change from and too.

HammerheadFistpunch > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/07/2014 at 11:43

its called a gear splitter (at least I think that's what you are referring too) and its like a second transfer case, or more accurately, a second 2 speed transmission but they wont work for me because they attach to the rear of the transmission output or transfer case output and I have full time 4wd, so i would need 2, that would have to be synchronized.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 11:48

I'm not laughing and sorry no experience. I think you need MORE POWWWAAAHHH. Is there any discussion on Mud? I'm sure some of those guys running larger tires have done gear swaps in the 80.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 11:49

Ah good point, not sure how it will work with full time 4wd, that adds a whole new level of understanding outside of my realm of understanding.

HammerheadFistpunch > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
04/07/2014 at 11:57

I PINE for more power, but I'm not ready to commit to an engine swap...too many compromises or monies... I'm also not ready to redo my entire cooling system for an SC or turbo kit either, plus the premium fuel it requires.

There are plenty of discussions on mud but I find them less than useful. There is too much grunting and man denial to get useful info.

Here are the 3 common responses:

1. Stock gears work fine for me, even with 35's (btw i live in Kansas and only tow 2000 lbs)

2. abandon all hope, ye who wish to tow! Oh woe woe woe (Colorado)

3. Quite bitching, get 35 inch tires and go slow and enjoy the view, be a man and grow a beard when you get stuck in mud so you can cut it off and use it for traction, then grow another one...grrr.

Seriously, its all pretty much people who's experience is irrelevant, people who just want to be discouraging, or people who's answer to all thing isn't miata, its "35 inch tires and be a man"....I think my seat gears are worn..hmmm, have you tried putting 35 inch tires on it and being a man like me?

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 12:08

cool pic

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 12:14

If the Landcruiser had the right kind of transfer case, you could go even lower and fit an overdrive as fitted to Land Rovers and Jeeps. Sadly, I expect that's impossible.

Kinja'd!!!

It seems that Fairey, the makers of the Rover one, did make one for the original Landcruiser, but I suspect there isn't one for yours.

HammerheadFistpunch > Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
04/07/2014 at 12:22

Thanks Google.

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/07/2014 at 12:22

yeah, a gear splitter would be ideal...except that its full time 4wd, so its a no go.

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 12:27

That was hilarious. 100% spot on for Mud

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 12:30

Chain-driven center diff, I expect? There are some gear splitters as shown above that work with *some* full time 4wd setups, but it depends on coupling setup. No replacement sprocket with inner sleeve available, no access port on rear: no overdrive. The key is splitting ratios *before* you hit your outputs.

In some cases, full time AWD would be *more* likely to accept an aftermarket OD, just because you have both outputs offset in most cases, and thus an unoccupied location opposite the trans to replace a gear or sprocket...

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/07/2014 at 12:39

its a gear driven center diff, but I haven't come across any gear splitter for my setup yet.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 12:42

Time to dump what you have and go to a Jeep NP transfer case that has an OD available. Full-time is for chumps.

Kinja'd!!!

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 12:43

My co-worker just asked what was so funny. That's really disappointing that there aren't any good documented gear swaps. When I go to 37's I just might be in the same boat as you. Judging from the panther boards where there is tons of talk about gearing I have to imagine that it would help. On those boards 3.73's are the equivalent of 35" tires. The question of course is what is the cost benefit. How much does something like this run for an 80 slash who sells the near gears?

jsmizira > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 12:44

what about having a second set of tires for when you tow? Something with a smaller diameter, and switch between them. unless you will nearly always have a trailer hitched in which case you can ignore me

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 12:46

Also I'm sure this 200% too involved for what you are looking for but I figured I'd throw it out as food for thought.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/h42-fo…

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/07/2014 at 12:55

im leaving the transfer case alone, Im not interested in running a franken-rig at this point in my trucks life.

HammerheadFistpunch > jsmizira
04/07/2014 at 12:56

The trouble is; the places I want my trailer are also places I want my big tires...and no, im not carting around another 400 lbs in tires everytime I take my trailer some place.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 13:02

I was being facetious. OTOH, "franken-rig" may be the only way to really get what you want. It's amazing what can be done when you tell sanity "GTFO" and dump it off on the road side with a bus pass.

jsmizira > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 13:12

This is a long shot, as I don't know what you run, but I know old heavy duty trucks used to run two speed rear axles. from what you said that may not work with your 4wd but if it does you may be able to have your tires and tow your...um... stuff too.

NaturallyAspirated > HammerheadFistpunch
04/07/2014 at 13:29

I had my XJ Cherokee regeared to 4.56s to compensate for 33" tires. I was pretty happy with the new gear ratio, but I went from a factory 3.55 to 4.56, which is a much larger change than you are considering. Can you get 4.88s for your truck? At 50 MPH you might still be OK for RPMs even with a 5.something.

HammerheadFistpunch > NaturallyAspirated
04/07/2014 at 14:03

yes but you are also going from a 28 inch tire to a 33, where I was going from a 31.5 to a 33. 4.88's are an option and are on the list (same cost as 4.45) but Utah has an 80 mpg speed limit on I15 an this is my DD, so 3000 in OD 90% of the time Im not carrying a load seems like a lot. 4.30 gets me back to stock, 4.56 is one step higher for a little extra grunt. 4.88 would be a better choice for towing, and be about the same step (percentage wise) as your move, but it basically turns my OD into 3rd, and it might just be too much for a DD. 3000 rpm's isn't that bad though, really. its quite enough.