A place for more technical discussions. Please make sure you post in the correct section on the site, this way it keeps the site tidy AND ensures you get a more relevant answer.
The car doesn't know what size wheels it has. Unless the speedo has been re-calibrated, indicated speed is simply a factor of the rpm of the transfer case output shaft. So we can rule variations in tyre size or the fitting of a diff with a different ratio out of the equation.
I'm fairly sure the early r72 gearbox ratios are close to or the same as the pre-vvt gearboxes, so even if they had fitted a completely different gearbox it would not be possible to make the gearing longer. However, I heard someone mention recently that 5th in the new Jimnys was like 4th on older ones, so there may have been some changes made more recently, perhaps driven by emissions requirements.
You must have the correct gear ratio as, apart from replacing your transfer box with a manual one, there is no way of making it longer. And it seems the newer Jimnys may well have shorter gearing. Now we need other owners of VVT Jimnys to confirm their model year and speed at 3000rpm in 4th and we can work out when it changed. And maybe somebody can dig up some gearbox and diff specs to see where in the drivetrain the change has been made.
2003 M13 early KAP build.
3" Trailmaster lift with 1.5 Spacers on front
Customised winch bumper and roll cage
235/85R16 Maxxis Bighorns on 16" Rims, 4:1 Rocklobster, Rear ARB locker and on-board air
Corrected arms all-round, rear disks, Recaro seats and harnesses
