If you’ve upgraded your Tacoma with larger tires—33s, 35s, or even 37s—you’ve probably noticed a drop in performance, power, and fuel efficiency. That sluggish feeling on the freeway or when climbing a grade? It’s your truck telling you it’s time to regear.
Regearing restores your Tacoma’s factory power, torque curve, and drivability after a tire size (and weight) increase. But once you’re ready to make the jump, a new question arises: Should you go with 4.88s or 5.29s? This guide will walk you through the pros and cons of both options so you can make the right call for your build, driving style, and terrain.
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Table Of Contents
Understanding Gear Ratios & Their Impact
Your gear ratio refers to the number of times your driveshaft turns for each rotation of your tires. For example, with 4.88 gears, the driveshaft spins 4.88 times for every one rotation of the wheels. A higher number (like 5.29) means more torque delivered to the wheels—but also higher RPMs at highway speeds.
Here’s how ratios affect performance:
- More torque at the wheels = Better crawling, towing, and acceleration.
- Higher RPMs result in lower (typically) fuel economy at freeway speeds.
- Larger tires effectively “tall” out your gears, reducing torque and making your truck feel sluggish.
That’s why stock gearing isn’t ideal once you throw on bigger tires—your truck has to work harder to move them. Regearing corrects this imbalance.
Read more…
- How regearing affects fuel efficiency
- How regearing your diffs affects your truck
- Why regearing is essential for bigger tires
When To Choose 4.88s
4.88s are a great all-around gear ratio for Tacoma owners who daily drive their trucks and want better performance with slightly larger tires.
Best For:
- 33” to 35” tires
- Moderate off-roading
- Highway commuters
- Occasional towing
Benefits:
- Lower cruising RPMs compared to 5.29s (quieter, better MPG)
- Strong improvement in throttle response over stock gears
- Good balance of off-road torque and daily drivability
If your Tacoma spends more time on pavement than on trails and you want to maintain decent highway fuel economy, 4.88s might be your sweet spot.
When To Choose 5.29s
5.29s are geared (literally) toward off-road enthusiasts and those running big tires with heavy builds—think armor, bumpers, rooftop tents, drawers, and gear.
Best For:
- 35” to 37” tires
- Overlanding or rock-crawling rigs
- Urban/city driving with frequent stop-and-go traffic
- Fully loaded builds
Benefits:
- Massive torque increase for technical terrain
- Brings power back into usable range with oversized tires
- Stronger low-speed control and crawling ability
- Helps compensate for added weight
On the downside, 5.29s will have higher RPMs on the freeway (typically 2,800–3,000ish at 70 mph), which may slightly reduce MPG. However, for aggressive off-roaders or daily drivers with heavy setups, that tradeoff is often worthwhile.
Comparing Performance: MPG, Acceleration & RPMs
Let’s break it down:
| Feature | 4.88 Gears | 5.29 Gears |
| MPG (Highway) | Slight drop vs. stock | More noticeable drop at higher speeds |
| Acceleration | Noticeable improvement | Stronger low-end punch |
| Cruising RPM @ 70mph (Auto) | ~2,600 RPM (on 35s) | ~2,900 to 3,100 RPM (on 35s) |
| Throttle Response | Quick, responsive | Snappier, especially off-road |
If you do a lot of freeway driving, 4.88s offer a smoother ride. If you’re focused on trails and don’t mind a little extra revving on the highway, 5.29s deliver the torque.
Other Considerations
- Transmission Type: Autos benefit more from 5.29s due to gear spacing. Manuals might feel buzzy on the freeway with 5.29s.
- Drivetrain Longevity: Regearing puts everything back in its proper range, helping your engine and transmission work less—and last longer.
- Cost: Regearing both axles typically costs around $2,500-3,000. If you’re considering lockers (such as an ARB or Eaton E-Locker), it’s more cost-effective to install them during the regear process.
- RPM Calculators: Use one to preview how your new setup will behave at different speeds.
Final Thoughts
In the 4.88 vs. 5.29 debate, it really comes down to how you drive and what you drive on.
| Driving Style | Recommended Gear Ratio |
| Mostly highway/daily | 4.88 |
| Mix of off-road + street | 4.88 or 5.29 (depends on tire size) |
| Heavy off-road/overland | 5.29 |
| 37” tires or heavy build | 5.29 |
Don’t guess. Gear smart. Use an RPM calculator, think about where you drive most, and make a decision that keeps your Tacoma happy—on the trail and on the freeway.
