Nitro Gear Package for 16+ Toyota Tacoma is one of Nitro’s biggest sellers. Why? Because these trucks need re-geared! We use Nitro 4.30, 4.88, or 5.29, depending on the truck, to correct this issue... sometimes right off the lot.
The Tacoma has a very tall overdrive in 5th AND 6th gear to turn low RPMS. The new 3.5l V6 makes plenty of horsepower, but needs to rev.
Even with stock tires we have found the 6th gear is nearly useless, the gearing is so high that the transmission is constantly shifting.
In a STOCK Tacoma Automatic 6th gear puts you at ~1500 RPM @ 60MPH. This simply does not work. You may not realize it, but you probably are hardly ever in 6th gear unless you are almost going downhill. By re-gearing you can bring the motor back to the RPM it needs to be. This will improve Economy, Performance, and shifting. This is one of the most important modifications you can make to your late model Tacoma whether on a stock truck, or especially when running over-sized tire. This is the only way to properly compensate for inadequate factory gearing and the increase in tire diameter. We often hear people are worried they will turn high rpm’s if they re-gear. This is simply not the case. Remember, the Auto trans has a double overdrive. See the below examples:
Example
Stock 2019 Tacoma TRD Off-road w/ Auto Trans:
3.91 & Stock Tire, ~1500 RPM @ 60 MPH, ~1750 RPM @ 70 MPH (NOT ENOUGH RPM!) 4.88 & Stock Tire, ~1950RPM @ 60 MPH, ~2200 RPM @ 70 MPH
33” 4.88, ~1750 RPM @ 60 MPH, ~2000 RPM @ 70 MPH)
33” 5.29, ~1900 RPM @ 60 MPH, ~2250 RPM @ 70 MPH)
*Manual trans RPM figures will be higher.
Auto: Stock
33” 4.88 Most Popular
33”+ 5.29 Most Popular (or AT w/o Locker)
Manual:
32-34” 4.88 Most Popular 35”+ 5.29 Most Popular
RPM Figures are similar for Overseas Hilux Revo. And yes, even if you have a diesel, you will still benefit from the gearing. 4.88 is ideal for 33-35” on Turbo Diesel models. We have actually toured 1000’s of miles of the Australia in a Diesel Hilux with 35” and 4.88, and it performed flawlessly.
Check out the video about a recent re-gear on Maxx Powell's Tacoma!