The 3rd Gen Tacoma 3.5L V6 delivers 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. In normal terms, that is slow. Painfully slow in fact. Even in stock form, the truck lacks get-up-and-go in every sense. But, what it does have is world-class reliability. Now start adding weight, bigger tires, your truck’s performance will definitely take a hit.
So, is there a way we can have our cake and eat it too? That is hard to say, but I would like to believe that with a few choice modifications, we can add some life to the 3rd Gen Tacoma’s lackluster drivetrain.
Now, I know this isn’t the flashiest mod. If you’re after aesthetics, you might find more appreciation with new wheels or lights. However, if you’re truly after building a truck with high quality parts that will dramatically and immediately improve performance, you’re in the right place.
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
We know this can be a lot of information to absorb, so reach out to Revolution if you need part number confirmation or otherwise!
Table Of Contents
Is Regearing Worth The Money?
A regear service on your Tacoma is not cheap by any means. The gear set itself is going to run around $1,500, plus labor of around $2,000-3,000, depending on the shop doing the install. So all in, a rough ballpark is about $3500-4500.
So what do you gain from that cost? Improved torque, a more responsive truck, better fuel economy, less wear on other drivetrain components, and more. All of these benefits add up pretty quickly when you start justifying the price. For example, if you are running larger tires or towing regularly, a regear will serve you very well. And if you use your Tacoma as a daily hauler, the improved torque around town can really change how the truck feels.
Long Term Review
When it comes to regear kits, there are a few options out there, but when selecting a kit, you really need to take a deep dive into the company’s manufacturing and background.
Revolution Gear & Axle has been around (formally) since 2012. But their background in the field goes back over 40 years. So yeah, you could say that (from my research) they’re the most experienced company that currently makes gears for Toyotas. They have an extensive background in Jeep, but have been making lots of positive impressions in the Toyota community in the past few years. All of their gear sets are measured to meet OEM standards and are heat-treated for strength. On top of that, they use name-brand components like Timken bearings for long-term performance. You can believe that not only are you getting a complete kit, but solid customer support, and a highly refined product.
After my set was installed, I could instantly feel the power gains. It was a night-and-day difference. At that moment, I truly understood why people say this should be one of the first mods you do instead of the last. I honestly should not have waited and should have done this sooner. These won’t turn your truck into a racecar, but you’ll see noticeable improvements like restored power and acceleration. It makes the truck less of a drag to drive, and makes off-road obstacles easier to conquer. And you don’t have to worry about noise. These have been super quiet, even during the break in period.
If you really want to get into the effects of upgrading gears, check out this post on how regearing your differentials affects your truck. And for a deeper dive in the MPG benefits, make sure you read how regearing affects your gas mileage. But to keep it short and sweet here, the overall impacts have made driving my Tacoma much easier, made it more capable, and fun to drive.
What Does The Shop Have To Say?
My 5.29s were installed by our local Northern California off-road shop, Stellar Built. Not surprisingly, they do around 5-10 Tacoma regears each week! Considering how many trucks are around locally, that’s a big chunk of our local market. They also have seen an influx of Revolution products, and not just with Toyota. They also have good reviews, given how many customers they deal with.
I asked their in-house gear specialist about what they thought about Revolution Gear & Axle. He said things like “I have been installing these for over 10 plus years and have yet to have one fail from poor manufacturing.” As well as, “The manufacturing is so close to OEM, often I put the same shims back in, and the gear pattern is already perfect.”
Hearing these things from a person who installs multiple of these gear sets a week was more than reassuring that my truck is in the best hands possible with the best equipment possible. So you don’t just have to take my word for it.
Real World User Feedback
The team here at Trail Tacoma has put in extensive testing on these gears. Pushing the equipment hard, wheeling, overlanding, daily driving, all while carrying added weight and things that stress the drivetrain. Here are some other of what we’ve covered during the past several months..
Symon broke down the conversation around 4.88 vs. 5.29 gears for the Tacoma. He really put his to the test with large tires on some extreme off-road obstacles. He also wrote about post about why regearing is important for running larger tires.
In this post, Konrad shows what sets Revolution apart with their REM polishing for new gears. This is an extra step you can take to maximize things like lifespan and durability.
We know that investing in these is a big decision. One that requires a lot of research. Our goal is to better explain the subject and make it easier to understand.
Final Thoughts
A regear is now one of the mods I recommend the most for a Tacoma build. Especially having taken my truck as far as I did. Few mods give you this much benefit on a consistent basis. And that doesn’t just apply to the trails, but also to miles on pavement.
The 5.29 gear set truly transformed my truck from a very slow overland rig into a slightly faster one. Joking aside, when I started modifying my truck with 35-inch tires, I should have treated it as a prerequisite rather than an afterthought. If you have a chance, I highly recommend you drive a truck that’s been regeared. Once you see the difference, you won’t hesitate when it’s time to commit.
I certainly will continue to recommend Revolution Gear & Axle to everyone, as a veteran-owned, USA-based company that provides a high-quality product and puts the customer and experience first.
