4runner axle 3rd member compatibility
 

Ok, I have searched and think I am right but just want confirmation. The 3rd member from any V6 tacoma or 4runner is the same? I have noise the I think is the pinion bearings and am looking at options. Who is where some are exchanging the 3rd member with, I have heard it mentioned.

No, not at all. The third member from any unlocked 8" axle will swap, but unlocked Tacomas got the so-called 8.4" axle and those will not swap. Locked Tacomas and 4Runners can trade diffs, those are both 8" axles, but an elocker diff won't swap into an open diff without some fab work.

If you have an open diff, you can swap in a diff from any other truck with an 8" open diff axle, which would be all 4Runners from '84 on (except maybe the 5th gen? Dunno.), and pre-Tacoma pickups. I think even some early Supras had an 8" IFS in the rear that uses the same third (limited slip, baby!), just make sure you're getting the gear ratio you want.

Ignore the "4cyl diff" and "v6 diff" references you're going to find. There's really no such thing. Read this if you wanna get dizzy over it, but the upshot is that for purposes of diff swapping, it doesn't matter which one you have. They're all identical from the outside.

thank you!

Would a 2007 have a 3.73 ratio? If it is a open 8", would it matter if it was 4x4 or 4x2?

Entirely possible, but you'd want to ask a 4th gen guy to know for sure. It won't matter if it's 2wd or 4wd, a 3.73 8" third is a 3.73 8" third.

I found a son of a coworker that works for a local company that specializes in power train repair. He is going to put in new bearings and ring and pinion for $600 if I pull the 3rd member. No brainer on what to do. I will try to remember to take pics.

Ask him what brand he's putting on. If that's Yukon ring and pinion and a master install kit it's not a horrible deal. If he's doing cheaper gears and a mini kit, that's kinda steep.

There is $100 labor, the rest is parts. The son of a co worker does all the rear ends for Sadler powertrain. I will find out the brand. Sadler is the standard for quality in the area.

Sadler Power Train | Truck Parts and Truck Repair Services in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque and Waterloo Iowa

$100 labor is outstanding. $500 seems a little steep for parts - is he locked into a source, or can you bring him parts? I don't see him selling any 3.73 gears right now, but contact ronsmachiningservice1 on Ebay, I've seen him list Yukon ring and pinion and master install packages for under $350 before. USA gears are the same thing and even cheaper.

Supposed to be Yukon gears and Timken bearings.

Thanks!

Hi, Quick question and since I cant start a new thread because I am new I thought I would try asking it here. I think the answer is yes based on what is above but I just want to be sure.

I am looking at buying a '99 t4r. The ad says "needs to have the rear axle rebuilt (most likely pinion bearings) but figured I’d see if anyone wants to take it as is and save me the time of tearing it apart. Drivable but makes a whooping sound from the rear. Have a complete used 3rd member with Elocker and same gearing out of a 1st gen Tacoma to swap in, will be included in sale."

The 4runner also has an elocker. My question is would this be a direct swap or would there need to be modifications done to make it work?

300k
 

Found this researching help for my 300K t4r. Im getting whine now, likely pinion bearings but I would just as soon swap. both axles where changed b/c I thought maybe wheel bearings.. nope. anyway is there any definative list of what vehicles had the 3.73 open rear on my 4x4 4th gen v8? Most of the salvage sites say the v6 4th gens rear wont fit and I really cannot see why not. any help appreciated, as finding a 4th gen v8 4x4 in a salvage yard is near impossible.

All 3rd Gen and 4th gens have the eight inch rear diff. The 3rd gens came with 4.10 most common, 4.30 and 4.56. The 4th gen came with 3.73 but with a 27 spline. All 4th gen are open except for the rare 2009 trail edition which has an elocker. the v8 uses the same diff as the Toyota v6 diff. Tacoma v6 came wit 3.73 and the i4 came with 4.10.
This is the 3rd Gen section. you might get a better answer in the 4th Gen section.