Where in Colorado for a re-gear?

Hello all,
I recently purchased a 2023 TRD Offroad, and am considering re-gearing, in an attempt to make up for some of the shortcomings of this drivetrain.
Anyone have a good recommendation for a shop in Colorado?
I have quotes already from Slee Offroad, 3D Offroad, and Mountain Yotas ranging from $3100 to $4300 (Which already seems suspect considering the wide range of pricing).
Any help or guidance is much appreciated

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/where-in-colorado-for-a-re-gear.822192/

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/any-reputable-shops-that-do-5-29-regear-on-tacoma.616228/

 

Yeah, I started that thread as well, but was advised to create a thread in the Colorado specific forum too.

 

Honestly, and based on having done gears and then a "tune" I would likely have not re-geared if I had done the Tune first. Tune is much less ($500) and totally fixes the things Toyota considers normal. More power, smooth no drunk-monkey shifting and no loss of mpg. The Tune will make it drive like it should - solid and responsive. If that is not enough then re-gear. As for where/who to go for a Tune - a few here in Denver Metro. IMO BlackHawk 2.0 (to be released soon) for the NA engine from YotaWerx and @mZiggy. They have a shop/tuner here in Denver.

 

Thanks. Yeah I had the OTT tune done the first week I had the truck by Colorado Toyota Tuning. It is better, but certainly not as dramatic a difference as I was hoping for.

 

Odd that the Tune did not fix the issues - may want to reach out to Adam and see if he can adjust parameters to address the shortcomings you find unacceptable. As for gears I'm not sure but maybe Colorado Gear and Axle, I've also heard of and seen posts referring to a shop in Parker that some have used. GL.

 

Thanks.

AD Offroad in Castle Rock so far has the best prices. Slee and RSG are both at 4300 bucks, which seems crazy to me.

I've been driving a Tesla and a 1000HP Mustang for too long I guess, so when I started driving this Tacoma it was like "WTF is wrong with this thing" it is so slow and unresponsive, the transmission takes forever to shift up or down in "S" mode when manually shifting, and even with the tune when taking off from a stop, it immediately shifts into 2nd gear at like 1500 rpm, making it even more sluggish. I figure that 4.88's are the way this truck should have come from the factory, with the stock sized tires. My mom had a 2018 Highlander with the same motor, and it felt noticeable faster and more responsive. Maybe the 6 speed is the issue, IDK

 

I got mine done at RSG June 2023 (went w/ 5.29s). I got lockers, compressor, and a few other items installed along w/ the gears so I can't comment on exact pricing on mine, but generally it is expensive haha.

I would 1000% recommend going with 5.29s over 4.88s if you have an auto transmission. For context as to why I recommend that, as mentioned, I have them on my 2016 DCLB TRD Sport 4x4 auto transmission with 285/70/17s. Did tons of research into the mega threads here on TW, chatted with multiple shops that you detailed above, watched YouTube videos from Nitro Gear and Axles founder and everyone pointed to 5.29s for our third gen’s with the six speed auto - regardless of specs (tire size, weight, etc).

I can still hit 80 mph at around 2700 rpm & no major hits to MPG. Pulls so much better city driving and nearly eliminates the classic gear hunting on the highways or the on inclines. With your tune, I think you'd be absolutely dialed after 5.29s.

Nitros founder said they created the 4.88s to introduce the Tacoma market to regears - they needed to start with something more conservative so people wouldn’t immediately dismiss the increased gear ratio. From there they developed the interest for even more gearing and rolled out the 5.29s. He said if he could have had the interest from the onset they would have developed the 5.29s first, but just needed to capture the market.

 

Great info, thank you. I never intend on going any larger than a 33" tire, but you are right, more people with 4.88's wish they had gone 5.29's, but I cant find anyone saying that they went with 5.29's and wish they had gone with 4.88's

 

No problem man, hope that you enjoy the regear when you pull the trigger! I totally agree, I don't think you can go wrong w/ 5.29s regardless of tire size.

 

Think the shop I was referring to is the one you mention in CR. The Tune should have fixed the shifting issue you mention. Can't say anything about that and why it did not ?? @JustDSM

You will need to update the Tune when you re-gear. I'd still get with @MGMSangTaco and see if he can fix that shifting logic and what he has to offer when you re-gear. Yes stay away from the two expensive shops you mention.

 

Mtn Yotas in Denver did my regear to 5.29s. Red and the team there did great work, highly recommend.

 

Personally, I'd dump thousands of dollars on a supercharger and not a regear.

 

or dump thousands of dollars into a SC, Tune and gears - then the mission is still not complete and you can find a way to dump more money into other mods! Then when you have it like you like it some asshole will steal it or F it up, or you simply get bored with it and decide to sell it, move on and start over.

 

I considered that too, but for that kind of cash, I could just get a better truck. A low mileage Tundra or Ram Rebel would cost less than the Tacoma with a blower

 

Have you considered getting the 3rd members already set up from ECGS and doing yourself? It really isn’t that difficult and would save a lot in labor.

 

Yeah, I was going to say it sounds like you want a V8 or turbo 6. Probably will never be satisfied with the Taco.

I'm not a Dodge guy, but I really want to like the Rebel. Considered one when I was replacing my Taco, but didn't want to commit to a full size truck (although hauling and towing would have been much nicer than with the 4R).

 

You are probably right. If the gearing was the only issue that needed to be address, I'd do it, but there are just too many other things about this truck that don't seem up to snuff. It's my own fault for not driving it more on the test drive and feeling out the interior etc. CO Springs Toyota had some good deals on these last remaining 23's so I took the bait. At least they hold their value better than most anything.

 

Okay, I'm walking my previous statement back: I just can't get behind a ~$60k starting msrp for a half-decent Ram 1500 (with the base v6, no less). Looks like I'm never buying a pickup truck again, lol.