Tacoma Front Diff for a 4Runner?

[Staceman]

Looking around, I noticed that our 4Runners use the same part number for front CV Axles. (both being 2007 4x4's)
My question is, could I swap a 4Runner front diff with a Tacoma front diff? This would be a really "quick and fast" way to gear my front diff with 4.10's. I've done it before (using factory 4.88 diffs from a 1994 pickup to an older 4Runner)

If anybody knows, please let me know.
Thanks!

 

[Troymclure]

I believe it does swap, but Im not 100% sure. Saw somewhere that somebody did that to get 4.10's in their 4th gen.

 

[Staceman]

That's exactly what I'm thinking of doing.

 

[Johnny4runner]

Yes, I'm pretty sure the Tacoma 8" clamshell front diff is the same as the 4th gen front. The 7.5" clamshell used in older Tacomas will not work--I forget when the change was made. You can check on the ECGS webpage:

Tacoma/ FJ Cruiser/ 4Runner- 8" Reverse Clamshell Assembly

Note that none of the rear 3rds fron recent Tacomas are compatable with the 4th gen 4runner.

 

[dereky]

Which Tacomas came with a 4.10 front diff? And then where do I find a 4.10 rear ring and pinion? I checked a few spots but maybe I am missing the point here.

I am running 34's and am thinking of regearing but the cost is quite high.

I am currently running a Tacoma rear diff with an elocker. Its a 3.91, or maybe 3.73, can't remember right now what the stock 4runner was. So I need the ring and pinion for the rear in 4.10 and but can't find anything.

This sounds like a cheaper route though if I find someone local that getting rid of their front clamshell.

 

[Troymclure]

Which Tacomas came with a 4.10 front diff? And then where do I find a 4.10 rear ring and pinion? I checked a few spots but maybe I am missing the point here.

I am running 34's and am thinking of regearing but the cost is quite high.

I am currently running a Tacoma rear diff with an elocker. Its a 3.91, or maybe 3.73, can't remember right now what the stock 4runner was. So I need the ring and pinion for the rear in 4.10 and but can't find anything.

This sounds like a cheaper route though if I find someone local that getting rid of their front clamshell.

The front diff with 4.10's I think came in a manual 4 cylinder tacoma but dont quote me on that. As for the rear, the below ones will fit. Every V6 8" diff from a toyota 8" from any year (87-2015) is a direct swap to our trucks. I recently just swapped in a third member from a 1993 4runner that came with factory 4.88's into the rear. Only had to drill out the holes on the pinion flange ti mate with the driveshaft since the older 8" diffs used a smaller bolt pattern.

Nitro Toyota V6/TURBO/E-LOCKER 8"- Ring and Pinion - 4.10 - 29 SPLINE

 

[Johnny4runner]

I am currently running a Tacoma rear diff with an elocker. Its a 3.91, or maybe 3.73, can't remember right now what the stock 4runner was. So I need the ring and pinion for the rear in 4.10 and but can't find anything.

4th Gen 4Runner V6 = 3.91
4th Gen 4Runner V8 = 3.73

Two things. One, I'm not sure you will get much benefit from going from either of these (3.73 or 3.91) to a 4.10. There just isn't that much of a difference in ratio, and if your truck is a sluggish now, it will probably be sluggish with 4.10. I'd suggest at least 4.56. I have a V6 (with the older 4-speed auto which does not have as low a 1st gear as the newer 5-speed), and I went with 4.88, and am very happy with it.

Two, if you have an elocker, you are not looking for a V6 rear third, you need to get an e-locker third.

As for the rear, the below ones will fit. Every V6 8" diff from a toyota 8" from any year (87-2015) is a direct swap to our trucks. I recently just swapped in a third member from a 1993 4runner that came with factory 4.88's into the rear. Only had to drill out the holes on the pinion flange ti mate with the driveshaft since the older 8" diffs used a smaller bolt pattern.

The key word here is V6 8" diff. I'm pretty sure that all of the new 4Runners and Tacomas have what they call the 8.2" third or an e-locker third. The 8.2" is largely a different beast and not compatible with the 8" third. And there is also a third that went into T100.

 

[Troymclure]

4th Gen 4Runner V6 = 3.91
4th Gen 4Runner V8 = 3.73

Two things. One, I'm not sure you will get much benefit from going from either of these (3.73 or 3.91) to a 4.10. There just isn't that much of a difference in ratio, and if your truck is a sluggish now, it will probably be sluggish with 4.10. I'd suggest at least 4.56. I have a V6 (with the older 4-speed auto which does not have as low a 1st gear as the newer 5-speed), and I went with 4.88, and am very happy with it.

Two, if you have an elocker, you are not looking for a V6 rear third, you need to get an e-locker third.



The key word here is V6 8" diff. I'm pretty sure that all of the new 4Runners and Tacomas have what they call the 8.2" third or an e-locker third. The 8.2" is largely a different beast and not compatible with the 8" third. And there is also a third that went into T100.

I thought the new tacomas have an 8.4" now, and the 4runners are still using the 8". And yeah the older tundras and t100's I think had something different entirely. But yeah, as you said, any v6 8" is the same.

Also agree completely with 4.88's. I have the same v6 4speed, and its the way to go. Im not sure its worth it to go 4.10's from 3.73's, and pretty confident its not worth it with 3.91's

 

[berlysario]

I checked a few spots but maybe I am missing the point here.

 

[JimInTN]

It's definitely worth it to go from 3.73 to 4.10 if you're just going up to a 32-33" tire.

 

[Johnny4runner]

I thought the new tacomas have an 8.4" now, and the 4runners are still using the 8". And yeah the older tundras and t100's I think had something different entirely. But yeah, as you said, any v6 8" is the same.

Also agree completely with 4.88's. I have the same v6 4speed, and its the way to go. Im not sure its worth it to go 4.10's from 3.73's, and pretty confident its not worth it with 3.91's

I'm pretty sure the 5th Gen 4Runner got the new third (not a V6 8"). Not sure if any Toyota is still being sold in the US with the "Classic V6 Third." I'm familiar with the new third being called the 8.2" and the T100 as the 8.4". But I don't think that is Toyota nomenclature--from what I understand all of the ring gears are 8" and the new third is just beefier. Keep in mind that there is an e-locker 8" V6 and e-locker 8.2" that are not directly compatible with the non-e-locker versions. And the 4th Gen 4Runners have a different bolt pattern for the pinion flange on the rear third. As someone mentions above you may be able to drill out an older third to the new bolt pattern, but if not you have to replace the flange which might require resetting the pinion preload if it does not have a solid spacer.

On what ratios are worth switching to, I guess it depends on what your goal is and the cost. If just want a small amount of more umph on the road and can go 4.10 for next to nothing--sure why not. But if you have to build a third to get 4.10, I would save up for 4.56 or 4.88. Also if you off road much and or have 33" or larger tires, you will be happier with gears deeper than 4.10.

 

[dereky]

Good to know. I'll probably go to 4.56 then as I think with the 5spd auto and 34's it should be good.
I've been doing a lot of hard off-roading with the 34's and find I need a little slower and lower crawl and also find the transmission overheats easily in 4hi on long ascents on forestry roads that shouldn't require 4lo. Already have done the transmission cooler install as well.