pulling the front diff

[infamousRNR]

Front Diff Replacement Video

I am hoping to add to existing information on T4R & not start new threads...

so i am also adding our front diff replacement video to this thread.

I hope this helps someone in the future if they do a search for this topic.


Enjoy!



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[Diezel]

Didnt get a chance to watch the video yet, and hopefully this tip is in there.

EVEN pressure on the CV shafts is what really helps get them out. So prying with TWO prybars 180* apart, is the best method.

 

[tx_shooter]

Even pressure is good; but if you can get a 2nd person to hold the CV axle even with the IFS axle so it is inline from inner shaft to outer shaft then it will pop out very easily.

I swapped front axles last weekend and spent more time doing it than I should have due to a few different issues; but over all the job was completed without major incident.

 

[Vansnxtweek]

Hopefully someone can help me...

In the original picture of this thread the electrical plug circled in blue...when I got under my truck yesterday there is nothing plugged into it. :l Can anyone help guide me in the right direction to find where the other end of this connection is? I cannot find the other end that plugs into the plug on the differential. I have tried to look down the wire harness but I can't see too well. Hoping its still there somewhere.

WTF to whoever did work on this thing before I got it.

 

[4Reak Show]

If I remember correctly, the harness that goes down to the front diff runs from the driver side inner fender area. Follow the main engine harness in that area and it should lead you to an answer. And I also think the front diff has its own sub harness, meaning you might have a blank connector dangling in the inner fender area, and a few feet of missing wires someone took out and didn't return.

If the harness is missing, I'm sure your VIN and Toyota dealership can get you the sub harness for pretty cheap.

Good luck and post pictures if you have questions.

 

[Vansnxtweek]

If I remember correctly, the harness that goes down to the front diff runs from the driver side inner fender area. Follow the main engine harness in that area and it should lead you to an answer. And I also think the front diff has its own sub harness, meaning you might have a blank connector dangling in the inner fender area, and a few feet of missing wires someone took out and didn't return.

If the harness is missing, I'm sure your VIN and Toyota dealership can get you the sub harness for pretty cheap.

Good luck and post pictures if you have questions.

Man thanks a ton for that information!!! Didn't even think about the sub harness. I feel like I've seen a plug in that inner fender area that wasn't hooked to anything so maybe that's it. I'll be sure to post back up, thanks so much.

 

[phattyduck]

Man thanks a ton for that information!!! Didn't even think about the sub harness. I feel like I've seen a plug in that inner fender area that wasn't hooked to anything so maybe that's it. I'll be sure to post back up, thanks so much.

You can see the sub-harness here, near the bottom:

That pic is when I did the 4WD swap wiring on my 4Runner, so it is missing the rest of the engine harness. The plug hangs down from around the middle of the driver's side exhaust manifold. When in place correctly, it clips next to where the vacuum lines come off the diff to the ADD VSVs, on the little gray clip.

-Charlie

 

[Vansnxtweek]

You can see the sub-harness here, near the bottom:

That pic is when I did the 4WD swap wiring on my 4Runner, so it is missing the rest of the engine harness. The plug hangs down from around the middle of the driver's side exhaust manifold. When in place correctly, it clips next to where the vacuum lines come off the diff to the ADD VSVs, on the little gray clip.

-Charlie

THANK YOU...huge help!!!

 

[Vansnxtweek]

Okay so I found the vacuum (ADD?) harness as far as the vacuum lines as well as the orange and blue plugs you have in that picture. But I cannot find a plug anywhere coming off the main harness. I've looked from under and above. I know it's hard to describe through words but does the diff plug basically split right off from the main harness or is it a separate set of wires all in itself going up towards somewhere on the driver's side? Being it's a separate harness I assume it'd be all on its own. I'm trying to figure out how to post pictures. I guess Photobucket isn't an option anymore.

According to this thread it's only function is to turn the 4wd light on? If that's the case I'm not as worried, but I just can't test 4wd now since it's all torn apart. Just want to fix it now if it does indeed actually engage the 4wd.

Thanks again

 

[4Reak Show]

I think pictures are your next step. Can't you just use your phone? Or is that all too millennial of me to assume you have a smart phone? Apologies.

When you say orange and blue plugs do you mean on the vacuum valves? Issue I have helping is my truck is a 2nd Gen with 3rd Gen engine so mine won't match yours necessarily. That being said, I'm 99% certain diff switches are part of the engine harness, not a standalone. They might branch off down by the crankshaft and oil pressure sensors on lower driver side front of engine.

A 4wd third genner could pop their hood and chime more accurately.

Try and get some pictures up, and again follow every branch off the engine harness on that driver side.

 

[phattyduck]

Okay so I found the vacuum (ADD?) harness as far as the vacuum lines as well as the orange and blue plugs you have in that picture. But I cannot find a plug anywhere coming off the main harness. I've looked from under and above. I know it's hard to describe through words but does the diff plug basically split right off from the main harness or is it a separate set of wires all in itself going up towards somewhere on the driver's side? Being it's a separate harness I assume it'd be all on its own. I'm trying to figure out how to post pictures. I guess Photobucket isn't an option anymore.

According to this thread it's only function is to turn the 4wd light on? If that's the case I'm not as worried, but I just can't test 4wd now since it's all torn apart. Just want to fix it now if it does indeed actually engage the 4wd.

Thanks again

The harness for the two VSV's (vacuum switching valves, mounted on the inner fender) comes out under the fuse box from the harness on that side of the engine bay. The plug for the ADD switch on the diff comes off the main engine harness from the section that goes down to the transmission.

The harness pic I posted above has the three position switch plugs on the transfer case (goes with the transmission harness) and the ADD VSV plug. All those are part of the main engine harness.

In this pic, you can see where the ADD switch sub-harness would connect to the main harness where the grey clip is between the bellhousing and diff. The plug should come out of the large harness visible at the top of the pic near where the black housing and split loom meet.

-Charlie

 

[Vansnxtweek]

I think pictures are your next step. Can't you just use your phone? Or is that all too millennial of me to assume you have a smart phone? Apologies.

When you say orange and blue plugs do you mean on the vacuum valves? Issue I have helping is my truck is a 2nd Gen with 3rd Gen engine so mine won't match yours necessarily. That being said, I'm 99% certain diff switches are part of the engine harness, not a standalone. They might branch off down by the crankshaft and oil pressure sensors on lower driver side front of engine.

A 4wd third genner could pop their hood and chime more accurately.

Try and get some pictures up, and again follow every branch off the engine harness on that driver side.

Hahah no not too millennial, I just thought Photobucket wasn't an option anymore. Sorry about that, I know it makes it tough. The plugs I'm speaking of are those ones that are connected to vacuum lines.

The harness for the two VSV's (vacuum switching valves, mounted on the inner fender) comes out under the fuse box from the harness on that side of the engine bay. The plug for the ADD switch on the diff comes off the main engine harness from the section that goes down to the transmission.

The harness pic I posted above has the three position switch plugs on the transfer case (goes with the transmission harness) and the ADD VSV plug. All those are part of the main engine harness.

In this pic, you can see where the ADD switch sub-harness would connect to the main harness where the grey clip is between the bellhousing and diff. The plug should come out of the large harness visible at the top of the pic near where the black housing and split loom meet.

-Charlie

Thanks Charlie.

So some back story here, I took over this rig from my fiancé. To make a long story short, before we were together she had the motor swapped by someone so I don't know how that went. Is it a possibility that they could've used a 2wd engine harness? I don't know if there is a difference but Charlie, being you seem to have swapped your T4R to 4wd, I assume that picture is of your original harness? Where the split loom meets the wire housing, mine looks exactly the same. There is nothing coming off of it.

This is something that should be so simple haha.

 

[phattyduck]

Is it a possibility that they could've used a 2wd engine harness?

If they did, the 3 switches mounted on the transfer case would have no corresponding plugs on the harness...

What's the wire there zip tied to the harness next to the rag joint?

-Charlie

 

[4Reak Show]

If they did, the 3 switches mounted on the transfer case would have no corresponding plugs on the harness...

KILLER observation. That should be an easy check.

I'm still betting they either lost or just left out the sub harness. But he's gotta find the remnants of its mate. What a pain in the ass.

Let us know what you find out, my intrigue is astronomical at this point.

 

[Vansnxtweek]

If they did, the 3 switches mounted on the transfer case would have no corresponding plugs on the harness...

What's the wire there zip tied to the harness next to the rag joint?

-Charlie

That is a great observation for sure. I will look at the transfer case and see what I find.

As far as the wire zip tied, it got my hopes up..but it goes to the front of the transmission and goes into a pressure sensor looking plug that is bolted into the transmission.

KILLER observation. That should be an easy check.

I'm still betting they either lost or just left out the sub harness. But he's gotta find the remnants of its mate. What a pain in the ass.

Let us know what you find out, my intrigue is astronomical at this point.

Yeah...PITA is the name of this dang thing..I swear it never ends! I will get it right though..just gonna take time. You all will be very involved, lol, ya'll's help is awesome.

That's what I'm really starting to think is maybe the subharness is just not there, but I still can't figure out where that would tie into.

Next up, take a look and post pictures from the transfer case.

 

[aykalper]

Sorry, I know this is an old thread.

I'm looking to find a 4.30 Front diff in a junk yard for my 2000 Limited. Will a front diff from any year 3rd gen work? I have the ADD...will that be compatible with any one?

 

[phattyduck]

Sorry, I know this is an old thread.

I'm looking to find a 4.30 Front diff in a junk yard for my 2000 Limited. Will a front diff from any year 3rd gen work? I have the ADD...will that be compatible with any one?

All 3rd gen 4Runners have the ADD system, so no problem there. The bigger challenge will be finding a 4.30 diff. Most you find will be 4.10, so be prepared for disappointment.

-Charlie

 

[aykalper]

All 3rd gen 4Runners have the ADD system, so no problem there. The bigger challenge will be finding a 4.30 diff. Most you find will be 4.10, so be prepared for disappointment.

-Charlie

So the ADD is the same for all of them? A 98 would work on my 2000?

Also, how, besides the spin test, will I know if it's a 4.30? Any good tells?

 

[psraff]

So the ADD is the same for all of them? A 98 would work on my 2000?

Also, how, besides the spin test, will I know if it's a 4.30? Any good tells?

If it's got an E-Locker it should have 4.30s in it. I won't say if that's 100% of the time or not, but I think it is.

 

[phattyduck]

So the ADD is the same for all of them? A 98 would work on my 2000?

'01-'02 (which won't have the gears you want anyway due to no e-locker) use an electric ADD actuator. You should be able to swap your vacuum actuated parts on to that diff though. Otherwise, they should be 100% compatible '96-'00.

-Charlie