Best off-road upgrade? 2017 Toyota Tacoma 5.29 Nitro Gears Review!

[@Red_Beard_Builds]

i just upgraded my 93 toyota rear end from the factory 4:88 to a set of nitro gears and a yukon grizzly locker

[@66Duffman]

Very nice....can’t wait till our 88 pickup is running too 🙏🏻

[@Red_Beard_Builds]

Dirtnation Offroad I love the older model pickups !! But I’m sure the Tacoma’s have there own pros.

[@aiwohicdl]

This was the video I wanted to see. The clip of your taco crawling with no driver was the convincing factor for me. Did a rear gear on my 81 Toyota and was all giggles watching it crawl. Great work

[@W.A.F]

Love these episodes,,,preach it !,,Finally got all the parts together ,,,tons of money and not a single cosmetic upgrade 🤣,,almost ready ..almost

[@66Duffman]

We’re ALL fucked that’s what’s up...stock look ready to fuck shit up 🤟🏻🤙🏻

[@bobac1083]

Just because the gears are different doesn't mean the tires are spinning faster. Its the same. All the gearing is doing is making the engine work at a higher rpm.... There are speed sensors on every hub... The only time it would throw it off is tire size. Anything above stock size would affect the odometer and speed readings. Not the gearing....

[@66Duffman]

Good points...

[@robertyoung8289]

Such a informative video I'm not even going to mention the chrome emblems this time. I'll hit you up twice next time if I still see them. 👍

[@66Duffman]

Nice 🤣🤣🤣

[@norkisserrano]

Well said Dustin, Thanks for sharing this video, it was a comprehensive and informative review from an Offroader's point of view.

[@66Duffman]

Thank you for the kind words...glad you enjoyed 🤙🏻

[@foote1967]

Yes...the 5.29s are next for my Tacoma! I went 4.88s on my TJ with 35s and auto /4.0L Best upgrade by far! 👊

[@66Duffman]

Very nice! 🤟🏻

[@jeremypopp9752]

I put 538s in my Jeep with 39s and it made a world of difference

[@66Duffman]

Nice...39s tho 🤤

[@jeremypopp9752]

Yeah I Ben doing any rehear will make a work of diff

[@AA.Packer]

Get OVTune's 5.29 gear tune.

[@rogerramirez227]

Great video Dustin....I agree with you 💯. I also got those 5.29 and you're right, top speed is 90 mph. I went cross country with the taco and that's all I could get, and to get good mpg, like you said it takes work.....very good and informative video I don't feel as bad lol.

[@66Duffman]

Glad you enjoyed...definitely no regrets with 5.29s...who needs to go fast 🤣

[@bmurphy386]

If you get the OTT tune they have tire size and gear options... on tune.

[@FrancoisTX1974]

Calibrate speedo will really change your mpg. For me from 29.5 to 31, I went from 16 to 19-20

[@66Duffman]

I’m definitely gonna look into doing it

[@FrancoisTX1974]

Dirtnation Offroad if you have amazone prime, order the tool to calibrate and send it back...😂

[@ddoghunt3471]

I am not sure how we can copare the mpg at all with out the recalibration? Small changes make hudge difference... And 18 to 22 mpg would really be something to talk about. Maybe someone could do a GPS mileage and math out gas gallons because going off the truck mpg is a waist of time now.

[@robormiston2841]

I have 5.29 's in my 93 4 Runner and 35 inch tires and it's the perfect gear. I can use 5 gear and it makes it fun to drive. I have to let off the gas alot to not spin out. I'm rebuilding my rear end and popped in a 4.30 and it's a total slug now and can't use 5 gear. Re gearing is the best bang for the buck. I feel it's easier on my clutch also.

[@shawheen2386]

Do Gold Mountain -> John Bull -> Holocomb creek in the same day for a nice endurance test. Start at 9a at the trail of gold mountain, and then see sunset in Holcomb creek around 7p. You will thank me later

[@66Duffman]

Shawheen might have to try that 🤔🤔🤔

[@renenavarro4121]

I'll get 4:88s when I get my 35s. I don't tow or offroad to put 5.29s

[@jonathansickler5406]

Meanwhile in the manual trans 3rd gen tacoma camp.... they gave me 4.30s from the factory lol. And its still kind of a turd lol.

[@66Duffman]

4.30 isn’t too bad tho 🤔

[@jonathansickler5406]

@@66Duffman we will see how they are when i put my bigger tires on 🤞

[@williamtrafton520]

Great video! Thanks for the honest info. See you out there!

[@66Duffman]

Sure thing!

[@nster9297]

I'm running 37's and have an appt to install 5.29's with an ARB front locker, Already have an ARB in the rear. I've been running 3.73's and my mileage (automatic) has been about 11 mpg. Hoping to improve all around. At first I was foregoing the front locker, changed my mind since this is the time to upgrade since regearing. Hoping not to break cv joints.. I don't wheel that hard but will use it if I have to..

[@lilylove55]

Whats the update on your regear with 37s? Mpg?

[@JohnSmith-sh1zg]

Truck looks good Dustin. It looks like your added accessories up front may start effecting your cooling systems especially at slower speeds.

[@Red_Beard_Builds]

Great info an great video as always!!

[@rafael661kc]

I have a grand Cherokee WJ 2000 and the drive to Gorman from Bakersfield going over the grapevine sucks car revs so high to get up it it’s sitting on 32’s

[@66Duffman]

God I would hate that too...that Gorman drive can be dreadful in a hurry

[@maxsieesperon2870]

Yea true i stay 40mile n i stay 5 gears….now i shift more early b4 I never re gear I always shift my truck on 3000-3500rpm…..now i get 5.29 gears i shift 2000-2,500 rpm so it’s more early now than b4

[@MrYftuna]

I live in florida and have a 2016 tacoma with 31" tires 8" wheels and 3" lift. I tow an 18 foot bass tracker and on occasion an 18 foot camper. I ordered the nitro 5.29 gears and now im thinking i should of went with 4.88. I am not planning to go bigger with tires, i have no clue about this stuff but am looking for advice from someone that does. Thank you.

[@66Duffman]

I think you’ll be ok with the 5.29s...it will help a lot with Towing!

[@Rickydbaby]

18 mpg on the hightway!!!! holy moly. i'm on 33's (285/75/16) and 5.29's about 300lb total added weight and absolute best highway i've seen so far is 17mpg and that's speedo corrected and with some extreme hypermiling. Truck is really fun to drive tho. Maybe i need to slow it down. I drive around 65mph and it is fairly hilly here. I agree, this is the best mod you can do for your truck. i re geared my brand new truck at 5,000mi. I don't do a ton of offroading but i tow a travel trailer and the re gear made a huge difference in towing performance. I can pull 4000lbs down a flat highway at 60mph in 5th gear.

[@bradgt5130]

What did you use for your speedo corrected? Curious I have the same size tires and looking into a regear, was thinking 4.88 but more I read seems like 5.29 is the way to go. How do you overall like it?

[@Rickydbaby]

@@bradgt5130 I used the Rough country speedo calibrater. Works great for my 2019 Taco. Check out the 5.29 mega thread on Tacoma world. Lots of good info. I highly recommend looking at 5.29’s. I think 4.88’s May net better fuel economy if you live in a flatter area. But 5.29’s are awesome. They make the truck feel normal to me. Not over geared at all. www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-5-29-mega-thread.557305/page-150#post-24388507

[@mariotoscano1864]

@@Rickydbaby dude thank you!! This is what I was looking for I have 33s as well and I want the 5.29s I go overlanding a lot and carry weight in my truck.

[@mariotoscano1864]

@@Rickydbaby did you do a tune with it?

[@rj12345rj]

Don’t the manual transmission tacomas have different gearing stock?

[@66Duffman]

Yes 4.10 or 4.3 I believe

[@BansheeFingers]

Are you getting any noise from your gears? I have the nitro 5.29’s and get a drone when I let off the throttle between 50-70 mph.

[@66Duffman]

Haven’t really hear anything but I’ll keep an ear out...I’ve done so much crap to this truck it makes all kinds of noise going down the road haha

[@danielborrer270]

I did not hear you discuss the front diff gears. Can we assume that both front and back were re-geared the same?

[@66Duffman]

Yeah apologies for the confusion...with a 4x4 you gotta regear the front and rear to the same gears

[@mariodiaz3897]

What about 2020 2.7 2wd thinking of doing 32 or 33 what gears do you guys think for a 4cly automatic

[@cllh2011]

For a 4cly 2wd go with the 5.29s

[@Starlite123]

I cannot drive 65 but... 4.88s 35s is like stock gears for me. And 80mph dont need to go much faster. oh and a doubler I haven't needed to use that yet :(?

[@66Duffman]

Very nice...doubler is at the top of my lift for next upgrades to the Tacoma

[@peterhoma6385]

Hi sir , just wanted to know if you have a howling sound coming from the rear end when letting off the the throttle at certain speeds , as I just did regear with nitro 4:88’s in my 2018 Tacoma OR 4x4 and I get a howl around 63-53 mph when decelerating, thanks in advance ....

[@66Duffman]

Haven’t noticed anything like that from axle since the regear...then again my truck is very loud as it is...I would take it back to get checked

[@garyflores8992]

Okay here’s my question I have a 2020 off road Tacoma and just did a 3” on the front and a add a leaf on the back stock tires for now but do want to up grade probably to 33 in the future. I do tow a trailer very often , what I want to know is what will my gas millage be with 529 gearing with stock tires for the time being?

[@66Duffman]

With the lift and 33s probably around 15mpg

[@garyflores8992]

Okay another question will my truck be screaming down the road running stocks and geared down with 529

[@martindowson5481]

@@garyflores8992 Anything over 55mph with stock tires, yes it will be revving high. On the positive side, it will not keep shifting gears when you hit a small incline.

[@douglansburg4545]

Thanks great info

[@maxsieesperon2870]

I got 35/12.50/22 n my re gear 5.29 is so sexy on it 😂😂😂

[@66Duffman]

Oof

[@robertduenas8665]

what kind of rock slider do you have?

[@TundraVic]

Awesome video and well said! As a Tundra owner with 5:29s and 37s I’m very happy! Gas mileage is down but it’s way worth it! Next upgrade is a speedometer calibrator to see if I can gain some mpg back🤔

[@stevog44]

What kinda of mileage you getting out of that? I’m on 35s stock gears and lookin to do 488s, possibly 529s and 37s. But I do long road trips and would like to retain some kind of mileage. Currently getting about 11

[@TundraVic]

@@stevog44 on the highway I’ve gotten as high as 14 mpg but usually average around 11mpg. I feel my mileage is better with 37s than 35s

[@stevog44]

@@TundraVic wow that’s crazy. How would u say your rpm range is w that set up? Do any towing? Or hilly terrain? One thing I don’t like bout my 35s w out gears is that it doesn’t seem to hold in gear long enough in certain scenarios.

[@davidb9323]

Tacoma won’t let you hold the gas and the brakes at the same time to overpower the brakes

[@66Duffman]

I usually don’t have a problem with that in 4low

[@davidb9323]

@@66Duffman I mean it gives you a warning in the display and cuts off throttle

[@nameless5r]

Where did you get your gears done?

[@neekshernandez5894]

Are regears louder on the freeway?

[@66Duffman]

Not if they are done correctly

[@neekshernandez5894]

@@66Duffman my shit is loud dude. Regeared my Chevy Colorado to a 4.56. At 60-70 mph it can get louder then my radio

[@66Duffman]

Hmm interesting….usually if the gears are super loud then they are possibly shimmed wrong I would check in with the shop you did it with

[@neekshernandez5894]

@@66Duffman I did an anxiety swap. It was already regeared. I have a Chevy Colorado 4 cylinder and swapped the rear axle with a zr2. He had it regeared to a 4.56. It’s loud about 45-50 mph. Looking for a shop is sgv to look at and hopefully fix. Gears look good.

[@iq6840]

We figured this stuff out in the early 80's and guys are still talking about regears in 2023. Funny.

[@66Duffman]

I wasn’t alive in the early 80s 😂

[@iq6840]

@@66Duffman I see the problem now

[@joesgarcia1312]

What gears would you recommend for 315 tires?

[@66Duffman]

4.88 or 5.29 depends on the vehicle

[@nickdelatorre827]

I might not go this low in my tundra I like to go fast. Migjt just do 4.88 instead

[@redskins1120]

I get 22 stock gas mileage.

[@onelik]

Should of bought a gen 2 😆

[@66Duffman]

Why 🤔

[@onelik]

@@66Duffman 4.0 engine will help you crawl up that steep hill

[@MrCherrygrovedude]

@@onelik 3.5 has more power and torque

[@tomkelly3896]

Clueless

[@66Duffman]

Is that right? 🤔

[@stevegreen245]

Can't wait for the locker review. I have an FJ already regeared. But didn't do front lockers. Cuz CV axles are notoriously weak. If yours hold up, I'll do it. You hammer your truck harder then I do. Thanks for going first. Steve, santa Ana California

[@michaellara9215]

I am looking to run 33s on my 2020 Tacoma. What ratio should i go with 4.88 or 5.29. I mostly hit sand dunes.

[@martindowson5481]

I have 33's on my 2019 Tacoma with the 5.29 Nitro gears for desert use. Huge improvement off road with low end torque and better throttle response but it doesn't feel happy running more than 60mph on the highway. Probably okay in the States but out here in Dubai we cruise at 85mph so part of me wishes I went 4.88. I guess it depends on whether yours is a daily driver and you cruise at over 60mph. Once I have a supercharger installed I might reconsider the gearing.

[@martycarmichael3885]

I have a 2017 TRD OR AT. I run 265/75/16 KO2’s with 4.88 gears. 3” lift. My rig runs great on the highway and off road. If I had larger tires and a bunch of armor I’d want the 5.29’s. At 80 MPH I run 2500 RPM’s.

[@R32vdubb]

@@martindowson5481 have you considered get an OV tune fire the 5.29s???

[@ThePatriotPath]

Man, I have 5.29 installation scheduled for Monday. Your comments about 4.88 vs 5.29 are making me second guess my decision. The suggested formulas for figuring out gearing ratios suggest 4.88, but everyone is saying 5.29 is the way to go. I hope "they" are correct.

[@66Duffman]

I think you’ll be fine...5.29s will make you future proof 🤟🏻

[@wlew3499]

The Taco has the capability to recalibrate the speedometer thru the truck computer since it has GPS. The GPS monitors the correct speed of the truck at all times. With larger tires installed you can reset the speedometer by going into "Tool Settings" hit the calibration mode, drive the truck, when you return to normal mode the speedometer will be correct. "NEAT"!!! Nice video learn a lot aboout my Taco MT.

[@66Duffman]

Nice ima give that a try! Appreciate the info

[@rallypoint1]

Now you can go up steep hills in 2wd!!!! Great job!!!👍🏼

[@66Duffman]

I’ve done a few hills 2wd since haha

[@arinmirzayan3949]

Hi Dustin. What is your recommendation for 3gen 4runner SC with 33 and lots of overland stuff on it( bumpers, tent...). Should i go with 4.88 or 5.29. No hard rock crawler. Any suggestions?

[@66Duffman]

So I think those 4runners are already 4.10s honestly on 33s I think you’d only need 4.56 at most maybe 4.88

[@behindenemylines9033]

Great video. Where did you get the regear done? I’m having 5.29’s installed soon at PremierWest in Riverside.

[@66Duffman]

I went to flatline customs in temple city 👏🏻

[@clsalcedo99]

Add a Marlin crawler box

[@stinky_taco]

What about a manual transmission? Would you still recommend 5.29 gears? I have a 2019 manual and am about to stuff 35s under it. I agree it is very high geared for off-road.

[@66Duffman]

Yeah even with manual trans 5.29 or 4.88 gears would work great

[@stinky_taco]

@@66Duffman thanks! I was 95% convinced to do at least 488s

[@66Duffman]

@@stinky_taco sure thing 👏🏻

[@jimh_vta]

Only way this would have been better is a brief George cameo!

[@66Duffman]

Next time 🤣

[@andy14169]

Yall are messin up with this regear trend and dont really understand engineering.... My gen 3 on 32.75 tires with added ingen ram air intake, mbrp 3" exhaust, and pedalcommander set to sport mode is a monster and gets 19 mpg average. All those mods together are still cheaper than a regear. It accelerates 0-60 like a rocket, closes 60-80 even better than that now, and is a beast off road still...oh and engine breaking with the stock gearing works just fine, this guy just doesnt seem to know how to drive haha.

[@tpharo34]

Great cover on gears; I’m a Yota dude and my next big mod is 5.29s. Current setup is a 23 white Trail Taco with 33s on 6112/5160 with CBI dual swing out full Caliraised armor with rocksliders and topper with lights. I can’t go any further without those ⚙️

[@iq6840]

Were you on the show Home Improvement?

[@66Duffman]

🤔

[@stevemartinez9075]

I called his guys three different times and I got three different answers on what gears to get they were supposed to text me back or email me to let me know what I need it never heard back from them I know they’re good just would like to find out what I need

[@jaytee1086]

What up Dirt! Good looking out bro. I'm sure these tutorials are helping a lot of people. Keep up the good work.

[@66Duffman]

Much appreciated 🤟🏻

[@jaytee1086]

@@66Duffman Do you watch these Ausies? They're crazy doing this crap with nearly stock trucks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHiyeIqgmbmdqLc

[@dval43]

The reason that the "larger" number is smaller gearing is because it's a ratio, a fraction: 1 to 5.29 or 1/5.29. So 5.29 gears are smaller than 4.88 gears the same way that the fraction 1/5th is smaller than 1/4th.

[@66Duffman]

Copy that...thanks for the insight

[@rambuild93]

I have a 2017 TRD 4x4 Sport Tacoma i want to lift 6” and install 35” I really will need the Gear i live in LA can you recommend the shop or person who did the work.?

[@sanchezgeorge29]

Premier West Gears in Riverside trust me on this 10/10.

[@nathankruse3101]

Great info, I appreciate the honesty. I am getting 41 inch MPTs on my RAM 5500 and doing a single wheel conversion so your firsthand knowledge really helps out. Keep up the great content. Nate

[@throwmypackage]

Hello @dirtnationoffroad do your gears howl ?

[@66Duffman]

No mine are good