What is the final gear ratio on AE86?

The baseline final-drive ratio for the popular AE86 is 4.3:1, the standard figure for most 5-speed manual, 4A-GE-equipped models. Some market-specific or optional configurations exist, but 4.3:1 remains the norm for stock AE86s.

Understanding final drive and why it matters

Final drive is the gear ratio between the differential’s ring gear and pinion gear. It directly influences how aggressively the engine accelerates from a stop and how fast the car can cruise at highway speeds. A lower numerical ratio (e.g., 4.3:1) tends to give quicker off-the-line response, while a higher numerical ratio can improve top speed at the expense of acceleration. Tire size, gearing choices, and whether the differential is open or limited-slip also play a role in real-world performance.

Typical AE86 final-drive configurations

Before outlining the common configurations, it’s important to note that the AE86 range spanned multiple markets and option lists during its 1983–1987 production window. The most widely documented, stock final-drive ratio for the 5-speed manual cars is 4.3:1; there are rare, market-specific exceptions with different ratios.

• 4.3:1 final drive — the standard, most common ratio for the majority of AE86s equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission and the 4A-GE engine. This ratio provides balanced acceleration and highway practicality.


• 4.1:1 final drive — a less common, market-specific alternative that can appear on certain rare or non-standard builds. It yields higher engine RPM at cruising speed and slightly different acceleration characteristics.

Conclusion: For the vast majority of AE86 owners and enthusiasts, 4.3:1 is the ratio to expect in stock, factory-configured cars. If you own a rare market variant or have swapped differentials, you might encounter 4.1:1, but that is the exception rather than the rule.

How to verify your car’s exact final-drive ratio

To confirm the precise final-drive ratio on an AE86, use one of the following methods. The most reliable approach is to read the differential code stamped on the differential housing or a data tag on the cover, which maps to a specific ratio in service manuals.

Reading the differential tag

Look for a stamped code or plate on the differential housing. The code often includes the numerical ratio (for example, 4.30 or 4.300) or a shorthand that references a ratio in Toyota’s parts catalogs.

Tooth-count method

If tags are unreadable, you can determine the ratio by counting gear teeth. Remove the differential cover, count the teeth on the ring gear and the pinion gear, and divide the ring-gear teeth by the pinion-teeth. The resulting number is the final-drive ratio (e.g., 72 teeth on the ring gear and 17 on the pinion yields about 4.24:1).

Summary

In short: the AE86’s most common final-drive ratio is 4.3:1, especially on stock 5-speed manual cars with the 4A-GE engine. Market-specific or rare builds can show 4.1:1, but that’s unusual. To know your exact ratio, inspect the differential tag or perform a teeth-count calculation. Understanding the final-drive helps explain why your AE86 behaves the way it does at different speeds and wheel sizes, and it informs gearing choices for drifters and enthusiasts alike.

What is the final drive ratio of the AE86?

The final drive ratio for an AE86 varies by model and modification, with stock ratios commonly being 4.30:1 or 4.778:1. Other ratios like 4.10:1, 4.56:1, and higher numbers such as 5.375:1 and 5.375:1 are available through aftermarket options for performance tuning, with different ratios being better suited for street or track use. 
Stock and common ratios

• 4.30:1: A common ratio for many factory AE86 models and a popular aftermarket option for a balance of street and track performance. 
• 4.778:1: Also found in some stock configurations, this ratio provides more aggressive acceleration than the 4.30, making it suitable for spirited driving and track use. 

Other ratios for performance tuning

• 4.10:1: A longer ratio, often preferred for highway cruising and daily driving, though it can still be used for track events. 
• 4.56:1: A good option for a go-kart feel, especially on technical tracks and for autocross. 
• Higher ratios: Ratios like 4.8:1, 4.88:1, 5.13:1, and 5.375:1 are available from various aftermarket manufacturers to maximize acceleration for drag racing or specialized track use. 

How to find your ratio

• A quick way to check your current ratio is to put the car in neutral, lift the rear wheels, and mark the driveshaft flange and the differential case. 
• Spin the driveshaft and count how many full rotations it takes for the driveshaft flange to complete one full rotation. The number of turns the driveshaft makes is your final drive ratio. 

What is a 3.73 gear ratio good for?

A 3.73 gear ratio is a good all-around choice for improving a vehicle's acceleration and towing performance without sacrificing too much highway drivability. It's considered a balance between gears focused on maximum fuel economy (lower numbers, like 3.55) and gears optimized purely for quick acceleration (higher numbers, like 4.10).
 
What a 3.73 gear ratio is good for

• Better acceleration: It provides more torque to the wheels, resulting in quicker off-the-line performance and a more responsive feel. 
• Improved towing: The extra torque makes it easier to tow heavier loads, as the engine doesn't have to work as hard. 
• Compensation for larger tires: It can help a vehicle with larger tires regain lost performance and acceleration. 
• Good for street/strip use: It offers a good compromise for performance applications like street trucks or drag strip use. 

What a 3.73 gear ratio sacrifices

• Fuel economy: The engine will have to spin at a higher RPM to maintain the same speed as a vehicle with lower gears, which can reduce fuel efficiency.
• Top-end speed: It can result in a lower top-end speed compared to higher gears because the engine will reach its redline at a lower vehicle speed. 

How it compares to other ratios

• vs. 3.55: A 3.73 ratio offers better acceleration and towing than a 3.55. A 3.55 is generally better for highway cruising and fuel economy. 
• vs. 4.10: A 4.10 ratio provides even quicker acceleration and more torque but at the cost of higher RPMs at highway speeds and reduced fuel economy. A 3.73 is often preferred for better highway comfort. 

What is a final gear ratio?

The final gear ratio is the ratio between the rotational speed of the driveshaft and the rotational speed of the wheels. It is the final set of gears in the drivetrain, typically located in the differential, that multiplies engine torque for the wheels. A numerically higher final drive ratio (e.g., 4.10:1) provides more torque for faster acceleration but results in higher engine RPMs at a given speed, while a numerically lower ratio (e.g., 3.07:1) allows for higher top speeds and lower cruising RPMs. 
This video explains what final drive ratio means and how to identify it: 1mJemal @ Cooper Road MiniYouTube · Aug 6, 2016
What it is

• A ratio that determines how much the engine's torque is multiplied before being sent to the wheels. 
• It's the last gear reduction before the power reaches the differential, which then sends it to the drive wheels. 

You can watch this video to learn how to calculate final drive ratio: 1mLate Model Restoration (LMR)YouTube · Nov 23, 2025
How it works

• High final drive ratio (e.g., 4.10:1): The engine spins more times for every single rotation of the wheels. 
  • Result: More torque at the wheels, leading to quicker acceleration. 
  • Downside: Lower top speed in each gear and higher engine RPMs during highway driving, which can decrease fuel economy. 
• Low final drive ratio (e.g., 3.07:1): The engine spins fewer times for every rotation of the wheels. 
  • Result: Higher top speed in each gear and lower engine RPMs at cruising speeds, which improves fuel economy. 
  • Downside: Less torque at the wheels, resulting in slower acceleration. 

This video explains how final drive ratios work and their importance: 42sEngineering ExplainedYouTube · Jan 15, 2017
How to calculate it

• From tooth counts: Divide the number of teeth on the ring gear by the number of teeth on the pinion gear. For example, a 41-tooth ring gear and a 10-tooth pinion gear result in a ratio of 4.10∶14.10 colon 14.10∶1 (41/10).
• Simplified formula: You can estimate engine RPM at a given speed using this formula: rpm=(mph×finalgearratio×336)/tirediameterr p m equals open paren m p h cross f i n a l g e a r r a t i o cross 336 close paren / t i r e d i a m e t e r𝑟𝑝𝑚=(𝑚𝑝ℎ×𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑔𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜×336)/𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟. 

This video demonstrates how to calculate final drive ratio: 55sDlux Fab RCYouTube · Feb 15, 2024
Factors that affect it

• Engine RPM and torque
• Tire diameter
• Transmission ratio and gear spread
• Overall vehicle performance goals (e.g., acceleration vs. fuel economy) 

What is the final drive ratio of the Toyota 86?

The final drive ratio was changed from 4.10 to 4.30.