Re-gearing, where to go?

Where would one go to have this done? Transmission shop? And I believe I'm currently at 4.10:1, so would something like 4.56:1 or 4.88:1 be something I would want for 35" tires? I'm looking NOT to decrease my fuel efficiency drastically, tryign to keep the RPM's near stock ya know.

Also check out this article I just published today

http://www.trailslesstraveled.com/viewarticle.php?id=58

Any automotive shop should be able to handle the install but 4x4 specific shops are your best bet.

Huh, well thanks. I though it was just something you could do to your exisiting gears, but it sounds like you have to by an all sew gearset and have it installed.... is that right?

Oh yes, the number of teeth on the ring gear v. the number of teeth on the pinion gear is what determines the ratio. So the only way to change that is by replacing the actual gears.

Did you find the article informative?

Would a 4 cylinder benefit more from the 4.88 rather than the 4.56? Keep in mind the 35" tires. Manual or auto tranny doesn't coem in to play does it?

The guys at Marlincrawler.com suggested the 4.88. Anyway, what's the deal with the "electric locker" on the rear end? Anyone shed some light on that for me? Apparently the PreRunner has it? I have no clue what it means though.

Hmm...apparently all TRD and PreRunner models have the electric locker, good to know.. now you all know.

The electric locker is an open or standard differential than contains a mechanism that locks the two rear wheels together when activated. It is electrically actuated, thus the name.

Yeah, but don't you need the RR dif lock button to be have the electric locker?

So to end this once and for all.... No TRD and no RR Dif Lock button means NO Electric Locker? Good, cause I'm getting the 8.4" Rear 4.88 gears for a NON electric locker tacoma prerunner. I'm right... right?

YES I am right. Just talked to a guy at a Toy dealership who has a Taco with 12" of lift and 37" tires. He said NON TRD PreRunner's DO NOT have the electric locker. So I win! Finally, it's settled.

so what do you do when the door jamb data plate is missing? is the axle code stamped on the rear axle anywhere's? perhaps a data plate attached somewhere's in that area?
i have a bone stock '96 taco, 4X4 extra-cab, 2.7 4 cyl, 5 spd, with 225 75R 15 tires, feels kinda high geared to me, would like a lower gear ratio to run a 30- 31 inch tire.
thanks!
Rick, Ore

so what do you do when the door jamb data plate is missing? is the axle code stamped on the rear axle anywhere's? perhaps a data plate attached somewhere's in that area?
i have a bone stock '96 taco, 4X4 extra-cab, 2.7 4 cyl, 5 spd, with 225 75R 15 tires, feels kinda high geared to me, would like a lower gear ratio to run a 30- 31 inch tire.
thanks!
Rick, Ore

here's an excerpt from an article I wrote for off-road.com

"The easiest way to check the differential gear ratio in any rear wheel or four-wheel-drive truck is to lift the rear end of the vehicle with a jack and physically rotate the rear tires one complete revolution while counting the number of revolutions that the driveshaft makes. If the drive shaft rotated just over four times, your differential gear ratios would be 4.10:1, etc."

click here for the full article> http://www.trailslesstraveled.com/viewarticle.php?id=58