Hope its not serious!!

[IdahoRunner]

So after work a couple of friends and I decided to go wheeling. LONG LONG story short, my buddy who has a Dodge Ram 2500 with a 6" lift and 37x12.50's, and ARB rear locker. He was climbing a really sandy, rutty hill. He eventually made it up, and I figured that I would try it as well, I had kept up with him the whole night. So I proceed in 4 low, rear locked, and started to climb it. This is one of those hills you have to gun it a little. Well I had really good momentum but I didnt see the ruts that were the size of my 4Runner. I launched it, all 4 wheels off the ground, and when I landed it sounded like the whole rig was going to split in half. It bottomed out pretty hard, but I was able to back down the hill to assess any damage. Everything looked ok until we were getting ready to leave and I disengaged the rear locker, took it out of 4 low, and proceeded to put it in 2wd. When I do that it makes a whining sound and will not move, yet when I put it in 4wd with center diff locked, it will move forward and backward, as does 4 low. But 4 high without the center diff locked and 2wd will not move. My buddy drove behind me back to the local Toyota dealer where I dropped it off tonight at the night drop. Am I in for a rude awakening, or does it seem to be a smaller issue. I love my baby, and I am stressed right now. Has anyone else had a similar experience??

 

[CJ3Flyr]

So after work a couple of friends and I decided to go wheeling. LONG LONG story short, my buddy who has a Dodge Ram 2500 with a 6" lift and 37x12.50's, and ARB rear locker. He was climbing a really sandy, rutty hill. He eventually made it up, and I figured that I would try it as well, I had kept up with him the whole night. So I proceed in 4 low, rear locked, and started to climb it. This is one of those hills you have to gun it a little. Well I had really good momentum but I didnt see the ruts that were the size of my 4Runner. I launched it, all 4 wheels off the ground, and when I landed it sounded like the whole rig was going to split in half. It bottomed out pretty hard, but I was able to back down the hill to assess any damage. Everything looked ok until we were getting ready to leave and I disengaged the rear locker, took it out of 4 low, and proceeded to put it in 2wd. When I do that it makes a whining sound and will not move, yet when I put it in 4wd with center diff locked, it will move forward and backward, as does 4 low. But 4 high without the center diff locked and 2wd will not move. My buddy drove behind me back to the local Toyota dealer where I dropped it off tonight at the night drop. Am I in for a rude awakening, or does it seem to be a smaller issue. I love my baby, and I am stressed right now. Has anyone else had a similar experience??

Yikes! How much do they want for the rear diff?

:cheers:

 

[Clemsonfan15]

It does sound pretty bad. I haven't heard of anything like this happening before.

 

[trd_4runnin]

If you are lucky you may have just bent/jammed the shift linkage for the 4x4 lever. Otherwise you are probably going to be out quite a bit of money.

 

[IdahoRunner]

So, with tears in my eyes... it's the whole rear diff. It's gone, replacing it through Toyota will F me to the tune of $1800. Sad, sad day. Time to get something else :happens:

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Do you have insurence? How are you going to sell it in that condition?

 

[Rock Slide]

So, with tears in my eyes... it's the whole rear diff. It's gone, replacing it through Toyota will F me to the tune of $1800. Sad, sad day. Time to get something else :happens:

Time to get something else?? You're not selling the 4Runner just b/c of a blown diff are you? Why not just go to a junk yard and get a used diff and install it yourself. If not by yourself, then find someone who can. Much cheaper than getting a new diff from the stealership...

 

[IdahoRunner]

Time to get something else?? You're not selling the 4Runner just b/c of a blown diff are you? Why not just go to a junk yard and get a used diff and install it yourself. If not by yourself, then find someone who can. Much cheaper than getting a new diff from the stealership...

Ya, I just might. I found a 02 limited rear end, but I have to run the VIN #'s to see if they will be compatible.

 

[Stick Figure]

i would do some research for a good mechanic in your area, you probably won't need the WHOLE diff anyway like a salvage yard will sell, you just need the actual internal diff, chances are your gears, locker set up, and housing are just fine. If you were anywhere near me i would offer to look at it, but you're a bit too far for me, check the yotatech site and see if someone on there that knows Toyotas needs some extra cash and will help you out.

 

[IdahoRunner]

Well, I just traded in the 4Runner on a 2008 Nissan Xterra Off-road. I know it's not a Toyota, but I still have my '02 and '96. Although I must say I am pretty impressed with the X. I was cross shopping a FJ Cruiser across the street, but a similar equipped FJ ran about $2500 more, so Xterra it is.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I'm not a big fan of the Xterra, but I hope it serves you well.