I think you have essentially answered your own question with the first line.

Enjoy what you have if it does most of what you need or want.

How often do you need to make long runs on the open highway at high speeds? Go a bit slower and enjoy the scenary. The difference between 60 and 70 MPH over a 200 mile run is really only a few minutes.

Whatever you gain in one area will usually cost you somewhere else.

Randy

Gearing makes a big difference. If you are running 4.10s with those 30" tires, a 4.56 would be a good swap, that is what Toyota used on the 31" tire option with a 5-speed.

When I ran 5.29s w/ 33s, I got better MPG and had more zip on the highway than I do now w/ 4.88s. Those 22REs like to spin faster, and the lower gearing lets them do that.

Speaking of that,
i've been driving my 99' 4runner alot lately, (winter truck) and watching the scangauge, my MPG at 60mph and 75mph is very similar, and i think i'm actually using less gas at 75mph.
I say this, because my TPS is at 19 (checked on scangauge, OBD2 only) cruising while at 60 or 75mph. That means it's using the same fuel / air but less load on the engine.
Quite interesting, doesnt go down much until about 85mph because of the super deep overdrive in the auto... will test out the 5spd in the summer (but it's, far from stock).

So how do you guys like your 96 and newer 4x4's

How about a TRD blower? 30" tires should not be that much of a difference. I say this in comparison to my Raider, but it is equipped with 4.625 gears. I had no trouble, save for ice and snow, when I went to Reno in Feb.'08.

1. Gearing is huge with these trucks. I run 32s and recently went from 4.10 to 4.56 and if felt like an instant 30% power increase. To be honest 4.88s would probably have been better but I had the 4.56 already.

2. You've already come pretty close to the limits of what can be done with the 22r engine. You may net a few more ponies with some other tricks but...

3. Engine swaps can be great, I spent way too much on building up my 3.0. In hindsight a 3.4 swap or more likely a chev v6 would have netted more for less.

I decided to re-gear.

So I'm looking for 4.88s

I was quoted $375 per unit installed.

Seemed a little steep for used 3rd members.

What's your thoughts ?

Considering labor + parts, that's about right actually. What's the warranty on the work, or have you asked yet?

Randy's Ring and Pinion also has a good break-in article for gears, FWIW.

I haven't asked about the warranty yet.
The quote was from Dave'z off road performance.

I sent him another email asking about just the two 3rd members
but he hasn't had time to reply.

I see the ring and pinion are 149.00 each so I have to look into having my stuff redone. I have the tools and I have replaced 3rd members before, but not in a Toyota.
But I am getting older and less motivated. "lazy"

I think this is the next logical step. I like my body style and the truck gets a lot of thumbs up from people.
It runs really nice so we'll see how this plays out.
I may have to jump up to 33's to get the ratio right.
But we'll see.

Ralph

I stuck Zuk's website on your 'parts wanted' post; he's got some good articles out there on this topic.

I've got 4.56's matched up with 31x10.50's under my 87; works fine for me.