Mississippi-Mud Forums

How close do the gear ratios need to be? I know they should always be the same, but sometimes you can't. In my rear Dana i have 4.30 and im going to assume my yota axle has 4.11 would that work?

I would think that would put stress on your drive train, more specifically, the transfer case and probably your U-joints. I wouldn't do it, but then I'm not buying parts for your rig. Good luck and if that is what you do, please report back on the results short and long term.
The only time I've heard of that being done on purpose is for the mud drags where they want the front to pull more than the rear. It's helps their rig stay straight in the mud pits. That alone, tells me that it can't be good for your drive train on hard surfaces.

Thanks for the reply. That makes sense, i'll have to figure another way to go on that. The reason why i asked is because i have talked to a few people who have told me that they ran unequal ratios and never had any problems. Now how far apart the ratios were i have no idea. It's obvious, for example, running 4.56 in the front and 4.88 in the back is not a good idea. It's just 4.30 is stock in my Rodeo and as far as i know there is nothing aftermarket for my rear end. I'd have to swap it for something else, and that's what i am trying to avoid.

which dana rearend do you have?

DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!! Bad Idea. the gears must be the same, it will cause you bust your case or corkscrew your shafts.

Here is a list of available gear sets from Toyota, I found this on Pirate. 4wd's usually come with 4.10 gears except for a few odd ball automatic equipped rigs that will have 4.56's. Aftermarket is all about 4.88, 5.29, and 5.71 sets.


Ratio Ring/Pinion Color
3.42 ...42/12... Purple
3.90 ...39/10... Red
4.10 ...41/10... Pink
4.11 ...37/09... Orange
4.30 ...43/10... Blue
4.37 ...35/08... Green
4.56 ...41/09... Yellow
4.88 ...39/08... White
5.29 ...37/07... None
5.71 ...40/07... None

I wouldn't suggest running unequal ratio's. I have run 3.08's in front and 3.73's in rear, with not so good of luck, but I didn't lock it in unless I was in some really slick mud. I hit a small hard spot one time, and out came the front drive shaft. I made sure the next time I had matching gears.

Why not look for some 4.30s for the front instead of trying to change the rear? I am pretty sure there are more choices for the yota I am pretty sure 4.30 was stock for some.

Mall_Rated Wrote:Why not look for some 4.30s for the front instead of trying to change the rear? I am pretty sure there are more choices for the yota I am pretty sure 4.30 was stock for some.

4.30's are stock in 3rd gen 4runners.

What year models are the 3rd gen?