When I had my Nissan Frontier, I put bigger tires on it. The resulting difference in speed was 10%, so it was pretty easy to figure out what speed I was actually traveling. When I took it to Nissan to have it re-geared so I didn't have to "figure it out", it was prohibitively expensive because it wasn't actually a gear, it was all computerized.
Has anyone had their FJ re-geared or reconfigured for larger tires? If so, was it hard? Expensive?
When I had my Nissan Frontier, I put bigger tires on it. The resulting difference in speed was 10%, so it was pretty easy to figure out what speed I was actually traveling. When I took it to Nissan to have it re-geared so I didn't have to "figure it out", it was prohibitively expensive because it wasn't actually a gear, it was all computerized.
Has anyone had their FJ re-geared or reconfigured for larger tires? If so, was it hard? Expensive?
Thanks!
Teejeaux
Regearing and calibrating the speedometer are 2 different things.
What exactly is it you want to do?
If you go to bigger tires and want to retain similar performance, you may want to regear. That will mean changing the gears in the front and rear differential and if you have an automatic you will need a new carrier or a locker. This will be very expensive -- as in a few thousand dollars. AllPro has what you need. I'm going to 35" tires so this is the route I'm taking -- stuff is on order right now.
If you go to bigger tires and are happy with the performance, you don't really need to regear. If all you want to do is make your speedometer accurate you need to calibrate it. Various companies make boxes that can trick your FJ's computer. I haven't personally used any, but here ara couple ideas (not sure if they support the FJ, but you can ask):
Another thing to consider -- if you're just going to 33" tires, you probably don't have to do anything. When I went from 31" to 33" on my '05 4Runner I didn't do either of the above. It only theoretically causes a 6% error. But, my 4Runner and all my Toyota's read a little low to start with. For example, the other day in my FJ Cruiser, I went by a radar trailer that displays your speed -- my speedo was right on 45mph and the trailer display wavered between 41 and 42. I found that with my 05 4Runner, my 02 Tundra and with my wife's Sequoia, all these vehicles actually measured closer to correct after going up one or two sizes. Also checked wiht GPS.
Now, your mileage may vary, so take this with a grain of salt.
I put 255/85/16's (33") and now my speedo reads dead on. Checked with GPS, mile markers and "radar trailer", all correspond to exactly what the speedo reads. Helps me understand why my MPG averages were so good...
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Sun Fusion 4X4 AT ATRAC Hack'd
Demello sliders
Demello front bumper w/Warn M8000
Demello rear bumper
OME 886/140 Front, 895/N71e rear
All-Pro rear links w/bracket skids
Inchworm Lefty
ARB front air locker
Nitro 4.88 gears
Bud Built skids front to back
Super Swamper SSR 35 X 10.5
Safari Snorkel
ARB Full Rack w/wind deflector
Train Hard, Rest Harder
TLCA # 17784
Helps me understand why my MPG averages were so good...
That's a good point!
Also, I when people talk about dramatic declines in their mileage after going to bigger tires I have to wonder how much of it is real (undoubtably some if it is) and how much of it is a failure to include an adjustment for the change in odometer reading.
Also, I when people talk about dramatic declines in their mileage after going to bigger tires I have to wonder how much of it is real (undoubtably some if it is) and how much of it is a failure to include an adjustment for the change in odometer reading.
I agree...I brought it up before and was accused of being insulting that I thought people couldn't calculate MPG accurately.
Regardless, I'm still getting low 18-high 17 MPG in mixed driving and can't see any reason for re-gearing unless I wanted a crawl box like sbechtold put on his FJ. However, if I put 35's, it might be worth considering...
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Sun Fusion 4X4 AT ATRAC Hack'd
Demello sliders
Demello front bumper w/Warn M8000
Demello rear bumper
OME 886/140 Front, 895/N71e rear
All-Pro rear links w/bracket skids
Inchworm Lefty
ARB front air locker
Nitro 4.88 gears
Bud Built skids front to back
Super Swamper SSR 35 X 10.5
Safari Snorkel
ARB Full Rack w/wind deflector
Train Hard, Rest Harder
TLCA # 17784
All-Pro is the only solution that I know of for a gear upgrade, I regret not ordering earlier as I think they are on back order now.
All-Pro Off Road is now proud to annouce the release of our new FJ Cruiser Gear Conversion kits. We are using high quality Japanese gears cut by a Toyota OE gear cutter. These kits are now ready and we believe we are the only company now offer such a kit. We currently offer 4.56 gears for both FJ Cruisers.
*** For automatic transmission vehicles equipped with 3.73 gears, a new front ARB Locker or new OEM carrier will be required to fit your new gears of choice. Manual transmission vehicles with 3.91 gears do not require a new carrier.
***At this point, ARB is the only locker of choice for the new FJ Cruiser front differential.
***FJ owners without the factory E-locker can add an ARB Air locker or Detroit Softlocker to the rear differential.
Front 4.56 Gears $499/ea 7107-AP-456
Rear 4.56 Gears (***requires use of new pinion flange) $199/ea 7100-YG-TV6456
FJ Cruiser Pinion Flange $99/ea 7600-AP-FJ
FJ Cruiser Front install kit (Required) $299/ea N/A
FJ Cruiser Rear install kit (for E-locker only) $159/ea 7900-YUK-TKTACOMALOC
FJ Cruiser Rear install kit (for Non-Elocker Only) $129/ea 7906-YUK-YKTV6
Front ARB Air Locker for FJ Cruiser (3.91 & up) $CALL 7300T-ARB-RD111
Front ARB Air Locker for FJ Cruiser (3.73 & dn) $CALL 7300T-ARB-RD121
Rear ARB Air Locker for Non-Elocker Applications $CALL 7300-ARB-RD23
Rear Detroit Softlocker for Non-Elocker Applications $495 7300-DET-61B
Differential Break-In
All new and reinstalled used gear sets require a break-in period to prevent damage from overheating. We find the best method is drive for 15 to 20 miles and then let the differential(s) cool down. Drive gently during the first 500 miles, keeping speeds down and not towing a trailer during break-in. Once 500 miles has been reached, change the differential fluid to flush out any metal or phosphorus coating particles from the new gears.
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Decaf Coffee What's the Point ?
I was actually just thinking in terms of re-gearing the speedo.. Or re-calibrating anyway.. That whole All-Pro thing is waaay more than I want to spend for a couple percent difference.
I was actually just thinking in terms of re-gearing the speedo.. Or re-calibrating anyway.. That whole All-Pro thing is waaay more than I want to spend for a couple percent difference.
Teejeaux
285s/33" tires seem to be best all around size for the FJs with bonus of getting a correct speedo
I've read the reasons why to re-gear, but I want to confirm the following:
I plan on running 315/75/16 for offroad trips only and run my 265/70/17 for daily driving. Their should be no harm in running the 35"s for trips only, I would have a loss of power during highway and less torque during 4wheeling.
Linear Mode
