Ok, so I jsut recently figured out that some stock yota's came with 4.88's. I am fairly sure I want to setup up to these gears, because I am hoping to get 31x10.5s or 32x11.5's in the spring. So as I understand it, Auto V6 trucks Came with the 4.88's? All of them, or only certain models? Also, Am I correct in assuming that if I get both the front and Rear 3rs members, these are a direct swap for my current 4.10's (89' 22re 5spd truck) Cause that would be awesome!. Also, what is a fair price for these things from a Junk yard?

 

We have the same truck, and I was thinking of doing the same as you. So from all I've gathered, here it goes...

Yes you can just swap the thirds into your truck. You need to find an 86-95 Yota with the 31" pkg and auto tranny. Prices vary quite a bit as they are kinda scarce and in demand. The thing that still confuses me is the weird setup on the stock Yota 4:88 thirds only. It makes it a real PITA to swap to another ratio. Something to do with the angle of the third? I duno, that's what deterred me. Your truck will be hella peppy with 4:88 and 31s. Much better w/32s and even better w/33s.

 

Well, I'm not to concerned with the re-gearing issues, because I doubt I'll ever go bigger than 32's or 33's on this truck and if I did I would be getting SAS'd anyway. Plus I'll still have the 4.10 carriers lying around that are re-gearable. I know that 4.88's and 31's would be rather peppy, but I think that would be a good thing.

 

Do you do alot of hwy crusing? If so you might want to consider swapping in 4.56 gears, perfect for a 31" tire.

The issue with the factory 4.88's is you cannot regear the rear 3rd member. The front is like any other 7.5" IFS diff.

 

Hey Jay, and what's up w/that rear third? What's the reason you can't regear it?

 

The difference is the pinion is offset in the thirdmember housing so the ring gear isn't as thick.So you cant regear these thirds since the gears are different, and nobody makes an aftermarket kind the same. But if you dont plan on swapping to bigger tires you will be fine. You can turn around and sell it again if you ever do

 

What does "the pinion is offset" mean? And what does somone do if and when the gears go bad? Have your truck down while you look for some used one's? Or get a mortgage and buy them new from Toyota?

 

If you manage to break a R&P you need to either get a new third or buy the gears used or from the *gulp* stealer!!

Offset means to the side, to plainly put it. Thus the ring gear is a little thinner. I doubt you would ever break one though.
Im having mine overhauled with fresh bearings just to make sure.

 

Ah ok. So if you ever need to get a new ring & pinion for example, you can still buy a set from like Yukon or Precision or whatever right?

 

if you ever break a ring gear, let me know. i may have a contact that can get them, ill have to check with him and see.

lee

 

Yep, the gear is thinner because the pinion is offset. If you break one ( I dont think anyone here has broken one) You will need to find a used one, or go to the dealer.

No aftermarket gears will fit ( regardless of size) in the factory 4.88 rear third member housing.

 

not all autos were 4.88. SOME were. Most were 4.56 and 4.88. They also did not start 4.88 gearing until 1992. Be sure to count the ratios before making any purchase.

 

Yes, defantly check that out! I got mine from a 93 special edition runner.

 

I don't have a problem with my gearing (4.88's and 31's), but I was wondering if I am able to install a Yota e-locker with my factory 4.88's or is the housing different. I know it has to be modified anyway, but is that possible? Thanks

Chris

 

When using an e-locker, you use the 3rd member from your donar truck. You then need to re-gear that diff to match your current gear size.

 

SO is there any way to tell with out counting (what do I count? ) Like the VIN or a Diff tag? I know my car has a diff tag on it...

 

I thought it was backwards? I thought you modded your own housing by tapping and drilling/welding it to accomodate the e-locker & harness from the e-locker diff.

 

Yeah, that's what I thought too. If I were to do it the other way, I'd have to buy new 4.88's which would not make me happy because I already own a perfectly good set, they are just a little different geometry than normal and will not fit properly in another carrier.

The question is: can I modify my existing housing that came with the factory 4.88's to accomodate an e-locker or will there be some unforseen trouble with the gears?

Thanks
Chris

 

You use your stock axle housing, but the 3rd member has to have the e-locker in it from the factory. There is no way, that I know of of putting an elocker motor onto your stock 3rd member.

Yes, the factory 4.88 is 100% the same when the casing is involved, only the pinion is different. You can swap out any 3rd member you want and it will fit (in reason)

 

Aha! That's probably where a lot of the confusion comes. The "third member" and the "axle housing". I've heard it sometimes referred to as entire third member inlcuding the axle housing with hubs and all that junk. Ya, so then it's pulling the third member, which is the ring & pinion assembled and insterting it into the vehicle's attached housing.