3rd member swap

[georgiarunner]

So after a long while without a 4runner, I bought a 2005 sr5 v6. The rearend has started howling really bad.I want to get a used 3rd memeber from the junk yard and plug it in. My question is will a 3rd member from the previous generation fit? I have read Erik's Toyota Differential info. And it says that it fits up to current models. But I have no idea when that was written. So will a base model non locker from an older Toyota with a 8inch fit?

 

[bob3dsf]

Maybe a dumb question, but you sure it's coming from the diff? Could be rear axle bearings maybe. I'd think that would be an easier fix to rule out.... Anyway, just a thought.

 

[georgiarunner]

That's a good thought and thank you for your reply.I am pretty sure like 99.9% sure it's either the Pinion bearing or the carrier bearings maybe even damage to the ring in pinon themselves .the noise is responsive with throttle,and in neutral it almost goes away. I have been getting crazy quotes from shops to replace bearings and go over the third member I really think the best option is to just pull one out of the wrecking yard and swap the whole thing out

 

[Inv4drZm]

3rd members from ECGS are $800 once you send in your broken 3rd, and can be swapped out in your driveway with basic tools, there are a couple really good guides online.

3rd members from 3rd gen 4runners/probably 1st gen tacos should work as long as they are the same gear ratio 3.73. Not sure about any of the older trucks

 

[zidaro]

LCE has a great chart with tons of info:

LC ENGINEERING Differential Tech

I could woo you with my knowledge , but heres a copy/paste that says it all:

'86-95 4cyl Turbo and V6* trucks and 4runners, and ALL '96+ 4Runners use the Toyota 8" 4-pinion differential in the rear. This diff is known as the "V6/Turbo diff."
- Stronger housing than the 4cyl diff
- Larger carrier bearings than the 4cyl diff
- 30 spline axles
- 27 spline pinion (pre-'96)
- Ten 10mm ring gear bolts
- 8mm axle housing studs with 12mm nuts
- 4-pinion carrier (case)

96-up 4runner V6 diffs:
- new improved housing that looks the same as the T100/Tundra/Tacoma diff on the outside, internals are all the same as the regular V6 diff
- 30 spline pinion on OEM gears, swap pinion flange to 27 spline to use aftermarket gears


only thing i will add- the Pinion flange from older versions may not have the correct drive shaft bolt pattern. Ours is the 66x66mm pattern with 11mm bolts (or atleast my '08 V8 4x4 was)

 

[fdbyrne]

3rd members from ECGS are $800 once you send in your broken 3rd, and can be swapped out in your driveway with basic tools, there are a couple really good guides online.

3rd members from 3rd gen 4runners/probably 1st gen tacos should work as long as they are the same gear ratio 3.73. Not sure about any of the older trucks

I went with an ECGS 3rd and couldn't be happier.