HOW CAN I RE-GEAR MY RIG?

[scorpion]

hello everyone, just wanna need help regarding the re-gearing of my vehicle. what is regearing? how does it work? why must I regear my rig when i opt to use 33" tires? where can i find a shop to re-gear my rig? what are those gear ratio etc.? is it a must to order imported regearing materials? need help.......

[OTEP]

The first question is:  what is your rig?  If you drive a Pajero, then the engine will turn the 33" tires.  5.29 ang axle ratio ng Pajero.  Way deeper than most other vehicles.  There are also other vehicles that come with ratios that can cope with 33" tires in stock form.

You regear to maintain drivability.  The bigger the tire you put, the more tendency for the engine to stall at low speeds (and also have very slow acceleration).  There are cases wherein even vehicles with A/T's stall (namamatayan) because the tires are too big already.

Gear ratio is roughly the number of turns your driveshaft must do to turn the wheels one revolution.  Numerically higher (e.g. 5.29 vs. 4.88) ratios are also called 'shorter' ratios since they allow for quicker acceleration (and less tendency to stall at low speeds) at the expense of top speed.

If you drive a Toyota or a Nissan Patrol, regearing is no problem as there are numerous companies that manufacture gears for these vehicles.  They may be expensive, but they do exist.  If you drive a Pajero or other rigs which are not very popular then there are no ring and pinion (differential) gears made for them in the aftermarket so you have to get ones custom made which is also an expensive process in itself.

As a sort of rule of thumb, if you are not going over 10% of  your original tire size, then you can get by without regearing.

*GUYS:  Please correct me if there was any wrong info.

[Wolverine]

Scorpion:

Your rig is a Vitara right?  If I am not mistaken, the lowest aftermarket gearing for your vehicle is a 5.83 (from Calmini) which is about 14% lower than the stock gearing (5.12).  If you plan to install 33 inch tires, these will work but it wont be the optimal setup.  You would be better off regearing your transfer case instead if your budget permits.  The T-case gearing will have dramatic improvements on your low range and compensate for your high range. The difference in price is about $250 (from Rocky Road) which, if budget permits, is well worth it.  Bear in mind that by increasing to a 33, you are increasing tire size by approx 20%. Furthermore, it's much easier and faster to replace the T-case gears compared to both diffs which will require you to seat the pinion gears properly to avoid premature wear.  Hope this helps.

By the way in response to how regearing works imagine setting bicycle gears to the largest front plate and the smallest rear gear.  Di ba mahirap umarangkada?  Regearing allows you to put the optimal gearing for your specific setup.

[scorpion]

Scorpion:

Your rig is a Vitara right?  If I am not mistaken, the lowest aftermarket gearing for your vehicle is a 5.83 (from Calmini) which is about 14% lower than the stock gearing (5.12).  If you plan to install 33 inch tires, these will work but it wont be the optimal setup.  You would be better off regearing your transfer case instead if your budget permits.  The T-case gearing will have dramatic improvements on your low range and compensate for your high range. The difference in price is about $250 (from Rocky Road) which, if budget permits, is well worth it.  Bear in mind that by increasing to a 33, you are increasing tire size by approx 20%. Furthermore, it's much easier and faster to replace the T-case gears compared to both diffs which will require you to seat the pinion gears properly to avoid premature wear.  Hope this helps.

By the way in response to how regearing works imagine setting bicycle gears to the largest front plate and the smallest rear gear.  Di ba mahirap umarangkada?  Regearing allows you to put the optimal gearing for your specific setup.

Wolverine, tnx for the reply man! However I still have a question? will my 30x9.5's affect my vehicle on offroading?
what is the stock tire size for a sidekick in order for me to base the gear ratios? i dont know where to base the gear ratio with accordance to the stock tire size of the sidekick.
Nice setup youve got! how much did it cost you to re-gear your rig? what if I stay with my 30's, do i have to re-gear my rig? can i still do extreme offroading?

tnx again and god bless. happy new year to all!!!!

[Wolverine]

The stock vitara has 28 inch tires with an effective (actual) height of 27.  If you plan to put on 30's, you won't need to regear and yes you can do some serious trailing.  The max tire I would suggest without regearing is a 31 (with 30.5 actual height).  You should not have any problems if you plan to stick to these sizes.  Just lift sufficiently to avoid any rubbing and not an inch more.  This way you minimize the increase on your center of gravity.

[ECG]

whats the stock tires of LC40?

[sixpack]

whats the stock tires of LC40?

7.00 x 15 3.7 gear for gasoline and 4.1 for diesel

[scorpion]

The stock vitara has 28 inch tires with an effective (actual) height of 27.  If you plan to put on 30's, you won't need to regear and yes you can do some serious trailing.  The max tire I would suggest without regearing is a 31 (with 30.5 actual height).  You should not have any problems if you plan to stick to these sizes.  Just lift sufficiently to avoid any rubbing and not an inch more.  This way you minimize the increase on your center of gravity.

Tnx wolverine. I guess I'd better stay with my 30's. Calmini's so expensive, do you know alternative sidekick aftermarkets?

[Wolverine]

There are certainly alternatives to Calmini.  Rocky-road Outfitters is one, Petroworks also, Breeze Industries, etc.  Before any of that however, why don't you tell us what you envision your finished product to be.  It might be possible to attain this with locally sourced parts or fabrication.  This way, you have a clear picture and your modifications are consistent towards the envisioned finished product.

[scorpion]

There are certainly alternatives to Calmini.  Rocky-road Outfitters is one, Petroworks also, Breeze Industries, etc.  Before any of that however, why don't you tell us what you envision your finished product to be.  It might be possible to attain this with locally sourced parts or fabrication.  This way, you have a clear picture and your modifications are consistent towards the envisioned finished product.

wolverine, tnx for the prompt reply. however, i picture my sidekick as capable of doing something other than offroading but with extreme 4x4 looks. maybe a 31x10.5 tires, 2 to 3 inch body lift and 2 to 3 inch suspension lift. so far, ive already body lifted my vehicle but with only 1" lift because of the limited aircon tubing. dunno what to do next as the calmini and or imported aftermarkets cost so much. can i suspension lift my rig using local aftermarkets?  are there any available surplus or local ones? tnx again...

[scorpion]

to whom it may concren, where can i find local OEM rear bumpers and side mouldings for sidekick/vitara 97? i saw the vitara 2001-2002 models with different rear bumpers and sidings with mud guards. where can i buy these items. also, where can i find front grill garnish(aluminum or chrome finish)? i already asked pilhino about the items but they said they have to order it at least 2 months a head of time. it costs pretty much too..maybe you guys can tip me of these items. 2nd hand or surplus' are welcomed too... tnx in advance! merry new year!

[ECG]

whats the stock tires of LC40?

7.00 x 15 3.7 gear for gasoline and 4.1 for diesel

so, okay lang 33" tires without re-gear?

[sixpack]

so, okay lang 33" tires without re-gear?

Yes.

[ECG]

so, okay lang 33" tires without re-gear?

Yes.

thanks.
ill remember that.

[tboy]

The first question is:  what is your rig?  If you drive a Pajero, then the engine will turn the 33" tires.  5.29 ang axle ratio ng Pajero.  Way deeper than most other vehicles.  There are also other vehicles that come with ratios that can cope with 33" tires in stock form.

You regear to maintain drivability.  The bigger the tire you put, the more tendency for the engine to stall at low speeds (and also have very slow acceleration).  There are cases wherein even vehicles with A/T's stall (namamatayan) because the tires are too big already.

Gear ratio is roughly the number of turns your driveshaft must do to turn the wheels one revolution.  Numerically higher (e.g. 5.29 vs. 4.88) ratios are also called 'shorter' ratios since they allow for quicker acceleration (and less tendency to stall at low speeds) at the expense of top speed.

If you drive a Toyota or a Nissan Patrol, regearing is no problem as there are numerous companies that manufacture gears for these vehicles.  They may be expensive, but they do exist.  If you drive a Pajero or other rigs which are not very popular then there are no ring and pinion (differential) gears made for them in the aftermarket so you have to get ones custom made which is also an expensive process in itself.

As a sort of rule of thumb, if you are not going over 10% of  your original tire size, then you can get by without regearing.

*GUYS:  Please correct me if there was any wrong info.

OT po.  Naka 33in ang Pajero ko nung nabili ko.  Malaki ba talaga ang effect ng big tires sa driveability? Para kasing ang hirap i-manage ng steering tsaka parang nawawala sa daan lalo na pag medyo di pantay ang road.