why stock 4.88 gear thinner?

[crash813]

As I'm about to start to rebuild my 4.88's, I just got curious, why did Toyota make the 4.88 ring gear thinner? Other companies make 4.88 gear sets that didn't require it. To do it, Toyota had to create a one-off housing and carrier. I'm sure they didn't go to all that expense for sh!t and giggles. Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on it?

thanks

 

[92-SR5]

I don't know why exactly, but I know it has to do with the 3rd member housing. For some reason the pinion had to be a little bit closer to the carrier. I have always wondered about this.

 

[brifri01]

The carriers are the same as other v6 units. The housing has the pinion closer o the ring gear as mentioned above. These are usually found in v6 trucks and 4runners with factory 31" tires.
Erik's Toyota Differential info for more info

 

[SR587]

is it much of a problem when ordering grears like 5.29's or something like that?

 

[brifri01]

Only would be a problem to install aftermarket gears of any ratio in a 4.88 factory diff. If installing 5.29 in 4cyl or v6 diff just order accordingly.