Front Diff. Replacement Options

[cek77]

Hi guys. I have an '06 Sport V6 with 93k on it. I need a new/used front differential. I just want to make sure I get the right one. I'm pretty sure I need an 8" clamshell with 3.73 gears in it. I have seen a few used front diffs on ebay and also saw a new one at East coast gear supply. Any other options I should look at?? My mechanic wanted to buy a complete unit from Toyota for $1500. That's not a financial option. He said I could bring in my own and they'll install it. Looking for advice. Its my fault, you can read below, don't beat me up to bad. Just looking to solve the problem and get it back on the road. Luckily its my second car.


Info on the 4runner: I picked it up over Labor day. Drove it for a bit. Hated the front rake, so I put on a daystar spacer 2.5/1.5 lift. In that process I made a major mistake. I must have yanked the LCA to far down and messed with the CV going into the Diff. It growled at me a little. Then popped all the way out on the way home one night. I took a look myself but its cold, I dont have a usable garage, and while I think I could tackle it I am a novice. So I made the decision to take it to a shop. After posting a thread on here I took it into the shop and upon CV removal they saw the needle bearing was ruined and there was a bunch of metal in the diff. To save the headache of having to do all this again we made the decision to go ahead and replace the diff.

 

[t-man]

Hi guys. I have an '06 Sport V6 with 93k on it. I need a new/used front differential. I just want to make sure I get the right one. I'm pretty sure I need an 8" clamshell with 3.73 gears in it. I have seen a few used front diffs on ebay and also saw a new one at East coast gear supply. Any other options I should look at?? My mechanic wanted to buy a complete unit from Toyota for $1500. That's not a financial option. He said I could bring in my own and they'll install it. Looking for advice. Its my fault, you can read below, don't beat me up to bad. Just looking to solve the problem and get it back on the road. Luckily its my second car.


Info on the 4runner: I picked it up over Labor day. Drove it for a bit. Hated the front rake, so I put on a daystar spacer 2.5/1.5 lift. In that process I made a major mistake. I must have yanked the LCA to far down and messed with the CV going into the Diff. It growled at me a little. Then popped all the way out on the way home one night. I took a look myself but its cold, I dont have a usable garage, and while I think I could tackle it I am a novice. So I made the decision to take it to a shop. After posting a thread on here I took it into the shop and upon CV removal they saw the needle bearing was ruined and there was a bunch of metal in the diff. To save the headache of having to do all this again we made the decision to go ahead and replace the diff.

I just broke my rear diff and the one thing I learned is it's hard as hell to find the stock 3.73 gears. I wish I could afford to buy the gears for the front too and run the 4.88's I want, but not enough cash. I would say buy a used one if possible off Ebay cause it costs just as much to have them rebuilt, if not more. Stupid I know.

 

[Staceman]

I use CAR-PART.com

Worth the shipping.

You may find one closer to you.

Here's is just a FEW copied for the V6 version 3.73

2005
Carrier
Toyota 4Runner 3.73 RATIO,6-05,4.0,A.T.,4WD,4W-ABS,4 DR,SPORT EDITION A 13A0077 $148.5 Morrison's Auto Inc USA-WI(Edgerton) Request_Quote 1-800-866-2277 Request_Insurance_Quote
2006
Carrier
Toyota 4Runner 3.727 RATIO,NON LOCKER,3-06,4.0,A.T.,4WD,4W-ABS, 4DR,SR5 A 12H0771 $148.5 Morrison's Auto Inc USA-WI(Edgerton) Request_Quote 1-800-866-2277 Request_Insurance_Quote
2007
Carrier
Toyota 4Runner 11/06,4.0,A.T.,4X4,3.73 RATIO,4X4 ACUATOR IS BROKEN A 13G0608 $148.5 Morrison's Auto Inc USA-WI(Edgerton) Request_Quote 1-800-866-2277 Request_Insurance_Quote
2007
Carrier
Toyota 4Runner 11/06,4.0,AT,4WD,SR5 A 13K1005 $148.5 Morrison's Auto Inc USA-WI(Edgerton) Request_Quote 1-800-866-2277 Request_Insurance_Quote
2007
Carrier
Toyota 4Runner 9/06,4.0,A.T.,4X4,3.73 RATIO A 14C0324 $148.5 Morrison's Auto Inc USA-WI(Edgerton) Request_Quote 1-800-866-2277 Request_Insurance_Quote
2007
Carrier
Toyota 4Runner 4.0,AUTO,4X4,94K Front Axle; (3.727 ratio), 6 cyl (w/diff lock) A $BJ857 $145.11 LKQ Colorado - Yard 754 USA-CO(Denver) E-mail 303-534-5692

2006
Carrier
Toyota 4Runner 4.0,AUTO,4X4,96K FRONT AXLE; (3.727 RATIO), 6 CYL (W/DIFF LOCK) A $BJ520 $145.11 LKQ Colorado - Yard 754 USA-CO(Denver) E-mail 303-534-5692

 

[Staceman]

That's how I re-geared my old truck.

Swap diffs, then sell my old ones. With the money I saved on a full re-gear, I was able to afford lockers!!

 

[Staceman]

A few from PA.

2007
Carrier
Toyota 4Runner RDY,03-07,4.0L,4x4 A G4140R $245 Al's Auto Parts, Inc. - ARAPro USA-PA(Trevose) E-mail 1-888-396-2199
2007
Carrier
Toyota 4Runner FRONT,3.73,4.0 AT 4X4 P-CHK 31201 $100 All Foreign Auto Parts - ARAPro USA-PA(Pittsburgh) Request_Quote 1-412-782-5580 Request_Insurance_Quote




.

 

[cek77]

Wow, that's awesome. That'll help, I'll look into that. Thanks!

 

[cek77]

When I see one that says diff lock. Is that referring to the central locking diff? I have the Sport and as far as I know the central diff lock would be different then a front end locker?

 

[t-man]

When I see one that says diff lock. Is that referring to the central locking diff? I have the Sport and as far as I know the central diff lock would be different then a front end locker?

That is referring to the actual lock in the front end. If you are replacing the whole assembly it may be worth it to get it. There are a couple companies that sell the wire and switch so that you don't have to figure out how to wire it yourself. Locker would only be beneficial offroad.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here!

 

[t-man]

That's how I re-geared my old truck.

Swap diffs, then sell my old ones. With the money I saved on a full re-gear, I was able to afford lockers!!

Wish I could find a front and rear, possibly with lockers, for less than $700-$800! I know, I'm delusional. Lol

 

[Jeremy556]

As long as the only damage was those needle bearings, you don't need to replace the diff. Call up East Coast Gear Supply and have them send you a bushing to replace those needle bearings.

 

[Staceman]

Locker - Actuator, 2 different animals. Sometimes called the same thing.

The V6 has an "Actuator", simply because you get a 2WD HI option with the V6.

The V8 has no such item added to it's diff arm, no 2WD option. V8's, like mine are All Wheel Drive.

Don't get confused with the diff lock of the transfer case. That has nothing to do with it.

Your Sig says V6, that's what I looked up.





.

 

[cek77]

I considered just replacing the needle bearing and a new CV but the shop said it looked like there was a lot of metal in there. If I had the time/garage to do this I'd give the needle bearing and new CV a go and take the chance. Since that's not the case I went ahead and thanks to Staceman found an Auto Recycler that's on my commute home from work. Picked up a unit from a truck that had 29k (hopefully) on it. $245 + tax later and its hopefully being installed as we speak. On Car-part.com what I would call a front differential is called a Carrier.

Now I know and someone said that's half the battle.

I'll check in either tonight or monday with results.

 

[Staceman]

On Car-part.com what I would call a front differential is called a Carrier.

Yep.
"Carrier - See Also Differential".

Buying a full third member is the way to go. Also look at the bright side, the gears are already "Broke In"

As my friend ZUK told me, "I would just plug it in and go!"

You just saved alot of time, and alot of $$$, and alot of hassle going this route.

thanks to Staceman

Glad to help!

 

[cek77]

Just picked up my 4runner. Everything is back in order. Looking forward to putting some miles on it. I did get the original diff. back. Should I crack it open and see if there is any damage? Should I try to sell it as a rebuildable core? I'll worry about that later I guess. Just happy to have my secondary ride back. Thanks for help and suggestions. Car-part.com is a great service.