This is the age old question and we are here to finally answer it after extended testing and data recording. Regearing a truck isn’t cheap so we often look at other ways to offset or justify the cost. This includes looking if we are able to increase our fuel mileage (among other unrelated benefits) which in turn would save us money in the long run.
Personally, I’m running a set of 5.29 gears from Revolution Gear & Axle. They’ve been great so far, with plenty of positive benefits. If you want to see a general overview of the impact these have check out my other post – How Gears Affect Your Truck.
Find It Online
- 2016-2023
- With 8.75″ Rear Axle (factory locker): Check Price
- With 8″ Rear Axle with Aftermarket Locker: Check Price
- With 8″ Rear Axle with Open Carrier (no locker): Check Price
- 2005-2015
- With 8.4″ Rear Axle with Open Carrier (no locker): Check Price
- With 8″ Rear Axle with Factory Locker: Check Price
Table Of Contents
Understanding Gearing
For a quick background on the subject, I’ll explain what this upgrade means.
You swap out your factory ring and pinion for a different ratio in order to restore lost power, acceleration, and drivability. This is especially important as you add weight and larger tires (check out – Why Gears Are Important For Larger Tires). Gears help to restore the engine to a optimal power band (where it produces the most efficient mix of torque and power), which improves performance on and off-road.
A side effect of all this should mean using less fuel in the long run of things.
What My Research Says
The answer is YES! Since my truck has been upgraded to 5.29 gears from Revolution, I have gotten better MPG. On average my truck has increased from being around 13 MPG overall (before) to around 15 MPG overall (after).
You can see on the graph above we are able to track a clear upward trend on the miles per gallon since the regear. I have done my best to keep the fuel stations the same and get a good average of highway, off-road and street miles from tank to tank. You can also see a trend of time spent on the freeway vs. off-road and around town.
On the flip side of that coin, the MPG will towing did not improve as much. I often have a small boat or utility trailer I tow with my Tacoma. I did not see any noticeable improvement in miles per gallon while towing. But it is easier to tow, less fighting the truck/trailer.
Potential Return On Investment
This is a loaded question and likely to be different for everyone. First, lets start with that the average cost to regear a Tacoma is around $2,000-3,500 and is best done by a reputable shop like Stellar Built here in Sacramento, CA.Â
My truck is loaded down but we will use it as the example here. On average I have had an increase of 2 MPG. Over the course of the whole 21.1 gallon tank that would be around 42.2 extra miles per tank. This is due to the increase in efficiency.
So if we take that 42.2 mile increase and divide it by the original 13 MPG we saved on average 3.24 gallons. In California, the current average fuel price is $4.15/gallon for 87 octane, so we saved ~$13.50. Now the average residents of CA drive ~12,500 miles a year according to insurance reports. This mean if you drove the same average getting 15 MPG instead of 13 MPG you would save ~$550 over the course of the year. More if gas prices go up and vice versa.
More Than Just Saving Money
Better gas mileage is definitely a great byproduct of regearing the Tacoma but there are other factors that do come into play. It also improves the truck drivability, longevity, and more.
It is no question the Tacoma with a 3.5L V6 engine is lacking in the torque department. This becomes a bigger issue as you build your truck or tow heavier loads. After changing the gears to a lower ratio we are able to provide some relief to the overall drivetrain. The should help the transmission, transfer case, and motor to have a longer life with less wear and tear.
On top of that, the increased torque allows us to get up to speed faster. We are able to merge onto the freeway at speed, tow off the line much easier, and have greater control when climbing steep obstacles and gnarly trail sections.
What Ratio Should You Get?
This is a loaded question with people giving many different answers. What I can try to do is answer with a few blanket statements. To start, the gear ration is highly dependent on what you are looking for and what you are looking to do with the truck in the long term.
If you plan on going 33″ tires or bigger, jump to 5.29s. If you are going to add weight to the truck like an RTT, camper, or heavy armor, jump to 5.29s. If you are looking to tow a trailer or any sort of large equipment often, choose 5.29s. These are the most commonly chosen compared to 4.88s. Many who choose the latter often say they wish they went to 5.29s since their kept progressing (adding more mods, bigger tires, etc.).
If you are looking to keep you truck more on the stock side with something like a 32″ tire, a camper shell, and mild side steps, or just trying to correct the stock ratio, consider 4.88s. Many argue, and I would agree, that the 3rd Gen is under geared from the factory. But other than that I have seen it time and time again people start at 4.88 ratio and have to make the jump again to 5.29s when they should have started there.
Final Thoughts
Regearing is expensive, a mod you can’t see, and should be done by a quality shop but, far more than that the pros out weigh the cons. Especially compared to that super expensive light bar you keep looking at. And you’ll get a lot more satisfaction, performance and use out of gears. After having this upgrade for several months, I can honestly say they are a must do for the 3rd Gen Tacoma. You do get positive effects on your MPG, at least from my experience.
The truck sucks gas, is underpowered, and under geared from the factory. This brings your truck back to life and makes it enjoyable to drive again and might just be a mod that starts to pay you back with savings at the pump.
