Gearing Down a 3 Gen Tacoma

[brettf]

What have you heard about heat dissipation in the ecoCrawler?

I've heard that's an issue with their Landcruiser Blackbox since it's a separate sealed unit with a limited amount of gear oil. Also, my understanding is the 1:1 still results in planet gear rotation, and therefore generates heat, since the ring gear is fixed to the housing. Installs I've seen require a separate oil cooler to keep the gears from cooking themselves during highway driving. I'm not sure how different the ecoCrawler is though...

That's something to look into. I haven't heard anything about heat concerns in the ecoCrawler. It's a bigger unit compared to the blackbox - and I think functions exactly like the existing/rear case (for planetary/sun gear setup). I have to believe the oil capacity is significantly higher given the size and look of the case too, but I don't know that for a fact.

Thanks for the tip on that though, I'll dig around.

Edit here to include Jimmy who I noticed had some experience with the blackbox in a cruiser that he posted on mud @J1000 Any advice to impart... though this is starting to hijack @MarkEva thread. Very interested to hear your thoughts after you wheel your TrailGear setup out west Mark!

 

[MarkEva]

I just got home from Utah last night after a failed attempt to go to the La Sal Mountains and instead ended up at The Bottom of the World. Look for the whole story on Trip Reports.

So Brett was right I love it. I climbed things I never would have attempted before. With use, it's gotten quieter and smoother (but it's still noisy).

Feel free to make this thread about any Prado gear reduction boxes since mine is done.

Thank you all for your inputs.

-Mark Evans