90 4runner differential

[imactheknife]

I bought this 4runner last fall and have noticed a humming from the back. I took it in today and said the differential was needing work. How do I know what gear ratio it is? I have another 4runner same year both V6. Would the other diff work? one is automatic and one is 5spd. Thanks for any info, Mark

The guy said it could be an expensive bill depending on what it needs. Is it wise to fix it or just find one that works?

 

[devldogs55]

I am dealing with this exact issue as I write this.. and I'll tell you what I'm doing about it.

1. To find out your STOCK gear ratio, look in the driver's door jamb and you will see a sticker with a barcode and a bunch of numbers and codes. Then go to this website and compare the code for your gears: http://toyota.off-road.com/toyota/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=274535

If you have a V6 w/ 31" tires, it is likely (but not surely) a 4.56 ratio. My code was "G254" which meant I did indeed have a 4.56.

If you have any reason to believe that a previous owner has regeared it different from stock.. you will either have to jack one tire up and count it.. or open up the diff and count the teeth.

2. My problem was/is a bad ring and pinion in my rear diff. A new ring and pinion set plus pinion bearings and the labor to fix it was going to cost me quite a bit. What I decided to do was to use this as an opportunity to put an electronic locker in my truck. I have one on its way in from a salvage yard - and the entire 3rd member cost me 500 bucks - and is actually the entire 3rd member with differential installed. It only requires slight modifications and a wiring harness.

In the end, it's going to cost me slightly more... but if you do any offroading at all, the locker will be more than worth it.

3. The 3rd member from your other truck will most likely work.. as long as they have the same gear ratio. If a vehicle's front and rear diffs have different ratios - when you engage 4WD they will turn at different speeds and nothing short of disaster will ensue.

The website above has a good chart detailing how to determine what the gears were from the factory. Remember.. a previous owner may have regeared it.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I am a newb when it comes to this, so I have been researching info on this problem quite a bit lately. My problem is also involving a 1990 T4R V6 Manual trans

 

[imactheknife]

HI! thanks for the reply! it was a great help. I have the g254 as well. So tomorrow I am going to look for a used one and see what the price would be. I am not an offroader per se but I do like snow! If I have a humming from the back is this a sign that the DIFF is bad? I took it to a tranny shop and they told me it was but how do I know they are not just looking to make some money? This is the first time I have driven the unit since I bought it last year! Thanks again for your help. Glad to see your making some head way with your rig. Cheers, Mark

The guy that owned it kept if factory. It has a new engine and clutch installed from Toyota. The unit is originally from California and it has no rust on it really. Although if I drive it up here with the salt this winter we shall see what happens!

 

[devldogs55]

Hey, Mark,

Glad I could help a bit. Really the only way to know for sure is either to ask the tranny shop specifically what they are saying is wrong with your diff - and then get a second or even third opinion.

I have a friend that was told that his rear diff was bad because a sound came from the back of his truck... It turned out that he had bad wheel bearings afterall.

If you jack up the rear (or even one rear tire) and then make sure to secure it on jackstands and place blocks on the front wheels - put the truck in neutral, take off the parking brake, and turn the rear wheels with your hands. See if you can hear gears in your rear diff making a bad noise. If you have broken teeth in there or a large amount of shaved metal - you should hear it.

Also you could try (if you don't have a magnetic drain plug) placing a powerful magnet on the drain plug of your rear diff - and then change your rear diff fluid. Check the magnet to see if you got any metal shavings - and then inspect the drained fluid to see if there are any other metal shavings in there. It may cost you about 20 bucks or so for new fluid. If the problem is minimal right now - you could definitely use a differential fluid change anyhow. That has solved a few minor cases for some people.

If you have any mechanic that you are friends with - you might get a free second opinion by just asking him to listen to the sound. I have been told it is very distinctive - and my rear diff sounds horrible right now.

If you aren't an off roader, you might check local salvage yards for a complete 3rd member w/ same gear ratio. That might run anywhere from $150 - $400 bucks depending on it's condition and where you buy it. The labor to have it installed will probably take an hour or two. It's pretty simple - and you should be able to do it yourself if you had the tools.

P.S. did you figure out your gear ratio?

 

[imactheknife]

Hey, I did find the ratio to be the same as yours the G254. I have a second 4runner that my sister is supposedly buying from me and I had her check the same spot and it's a G254. I don't want to part out that one but depending on the price of a newer one!. I am going to call the wreckers this morning to see what I am up against. I just bought a Power steering pump from them last week so I know they have a runner or two there.

I just called an auto wrecker (local 20 minutes) and they have the right one. It's $250 bucks! is that a good deal or what? I might have to go and get it!

 

[devldogs55]

That sounds like it's a pretty good deal, man. The wrecking yard here also gives a 12 month warranty on all of their products... so I'm not worried about buying something that's DOA. When you get it, check it for rust in the gears - or worn teeth and flaked off metal. You can also ask 'em how many miles were on the truck they pulled it from.

Good luck with your repairs.

 

[hodgepodge79]

I just called an auto wrecker (local 20 minutes) and they have the right one. It's $250 bucks! is that a good deal or what? I might have to go and get it!

So, what ratio did you decide you have? I've got a v6 diff with 4.10's for sale. PM me if your interested.

 

[fourwd1]

... How do I know what gear ratio it is? I have another 4runner same year both V6. Would the other diff work? one is automatic and one is 5spd. Thanks for any info, Mark

I'm a little late seeing this thread, but an auto and manual equipped truck should have different diff ratios. The auto will be a little lower (numerically higher).

 

[mith]

Re: Re: 90 4runner differential

I'm a little late seeing this thread, but an auto and manual equipped truck should have different diff ratios. The auto will be a little lower (numerically higher).

I recall reading somewhere that the V6 manuals came with 4.56 gears while the automatics came with 4.88.

 

[devldogs55]

Re: Re: Re: 90 4runner differential

I recall reading somewhere that the V6 manuals came with 4.56 gears while the automatics came with 4.88.

The site I posted earlier has been dead on accurate so far, and it states just what you said; only it says that the V6 manual w/ 31" tires come with the 4.56

http://toyota.off-road.com/toyota/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=274535

It will also decode your doorjamb code and tell you what stock diff you have.

 

[imactheknife]

Hi Guys, thanks for all the help and info. I just had the 4runner in the trans shop getting my linkage/ pin fixed so now I can find all my gears! The humming is still there in the Diff though. I might go pick up the other diff this weekend. Is it okay to keep driving the unit or should I just park it?

Keep in mind I bought it nov 2006 and I just got it on the road this month and I am itching to go out and about with it....

 

[JT94Runner]

Hi
Guys thanks for the information this article provided

my rear diff is done as well...

Ive got the G144 differentials in my 94 Runner Cant find any local to me and only found g254 axles...

Called Local dealer to get price on ring and pinion $1300 CDN

Ive pretty much resigned myself to having to change both front and rear diffentials to the 4.56 Gears G254 axles as I have a local guy selling my both front and rear for $250

 

[imactheknife]

Hi
Guys thanks for the information this article provided

my rear diff is done as well...

Ive got the G144 differentials in my 94 Runner Cant find any local to me and only found g254 axles...

Called Local dealer to get price on ring and pinion $1300 CDN

Ive pretty much resigned myself to having to change both front and rear diffentials to the 4.56 Gears G254 axles as I have a local guy selling my both front and rear for $250

Thats a good deal! but I guess you still have to pay labour though....I am picking up my diff on Saturday and have it put on next week. I love driving the new to me 4runner though!

 

[JT94Runner]

Picked up my two differentials

G254 front and rear for $300 we agreed on $250 however after I got there he charged me $50 for removing the diffs anyway happy to get them as my diff was getting worse by the day

Now for the intallation on the diff

Thanks
Jon

 

[devldogs55]

Hi
Guys thanks for the information this article provided

my rear diff is done as well...

Ive got the G144 differentials in my 94 Runner Cant find any local to me and only found g254 axles...

Called Local dealer to get price on ring and pinion $1300 CDN

Ive pretty much resigned myself to having to change both front and rear diffentials to the 4.56 Gears G254 axles as I have a local guy selling my both front and rear for $250

Are you just re-gearing or do you have a bad R&P?

I had a bad R&P and just got done putting an entire new 3rd member in with 4.56 and it's an E-locker. I paid less than that by quite a bit.

I'm new to Yota's, so I don't know what you mean by G144. But you should be able to do a retrofit into your axle and still get new R&P.

EDIT: I just re-read your post. I know what you mean now. I've got G254 also. I know you can get an e-locker with 4.10 and 4.30 for less than that. Have you considered it?

 

[imactheknife]

My 4runner should be out this week. The guy told me that the existing diff had been run low on fluid and was worn pretty badly. So now I am putting on another diff and he is replacing the axle seals as well. I had him service the tranny and transfer case too. He said the fluid in the diff was horrible! So now I am looking more like a $800 dollar job! oh well, it has to be done.

 

[devldogs55]

Boy, I know how that goes. My power steering leak and transmission service are next on the list.

Glad things are gettin fixed though... feels good finally.

 

[imactheknife]

where about's in Idaho are you? I remember dating a girl in High school and one summer we drove down to Sandpoint Idaho from Calgary to vacation and it was really nice there.

The 4runner to me is worth the money I just hope it doesnt continue. I have to have the rad repaired yet and new fluid put in before it freezes up here. It doesn't get real cold usually until december.

 

[devldogs55]

I'm about 3.5 hours south of Sandpoint. I live in Moscow, ID where I go to the U of I. Moscow is almost 2 hours south of Coeur d' Alene. I love Idaho. I've only been to Canada once on a drive from here to Banff. I loved it, but I was/am a crazy redneck from Texas that stood way out in the bars of Banff.

It was one of the most beautiful drives I've ever had too.

 

[imactheknife]

It is a nice drive! I lived in Banff when I was 19 for awile and then had to grow up! It's a fun place in the summer and winter. Kind of miss skiing and stuff. My Brother lives in Vegas and one of these days I would love to drive out but not sure how long it would take from here (Guelph, Ontario). It would be a great trip in the 4runner! I drove my last 4runner from Calgary to Toronto 3x in the last 3 years (almost 4000 Km's one way) it's an awesome drive through northern Ontario.

I missed the chance to visit with my aunt and Uncle when then lived in Boise. They live in Florida now.

My 4runner is still not ready

hopefully by the end of the week....

they call Alberta Texas north! but if you have a strong accent then people will notice for sure. In Banff there are always people from all over the globe almost all the time...