Yes. If you have access to the door jamb where the sticker that has all the information on it, then you are set. Look on the drivers side door jamb for the sticker that has a VIN, a SKU, tire sizes, pressure, etc.

It will look something like this: C/TR/A/TM 138 HR11 G282 A130H or C/TR GJ7/KQ41 A/TM G252/R150F These numbers are the Color (paint) code, Trim Code, Axle Code, and Transmission Code. You will also need to check the first few digits of you VIN #, as this only applies to trucks with VIN's that start with "JT".

Your truck, being a 4 cylinder, has an axle code that is G292. G means its an 8 inch Toyota rear end, 29 is a ratio code that means 4.10 gearing, and 2 means it has 2 pinions.

For 4.56 gearing, which is still hard to come by, but easier than 4.88, look for an axle code of G252 or G254. For 4.88's, look for G142 or G144.

My understanding in the matter is that Automatic 22R-E came with 4.30 gears (G282), almost all other 22R-E trucks came with 4.10 gears (G292), almost all V6 trucks came with 4.10 gears (Typically G294, sometimes G292), and all trucks with the 31" tire option came with 4.56 gearing (G252 for 4 cyl. and G254 for V6). The only vehicle that had 4.88 gearing, good luck finding it by the way, is the 22R-E Automatic Transmission with 31" tire option. It had 4.88 gearing and an axle code of (G142).

That is a rare breed.

I could be wrong, but when I was looking for a new third member for my truck, I read a lot on these axle codes, and it seems to be the general consensus that these rules typically apply.

If you don't buy my story, here is a great table that applies to almost all Japan built Toyota vehicles, and explains in a little more depth all the details of the axle code.

http://toyota.off-road.com/toyota/Ax...tegoryId=11290

 

A few little problems with what trucks came with 4.88's

I have yet to find a 22re equipped runner with 4.88's. The runner I got mine from was a 3vze. Jason on the board has a 93 pickup, auto, 3vze with 4.88's

If your truck was an auto, and had the big tire (31") option, very high chance you got 4.88's 4.56's came on 5sp trucks with the big tire option.

 

Yeah, I am not sure what Toyota did after the face lift. I know that for the regular tire option (225/75) an auto transmission and the 3VZ-E still turned the same gears as the manual. I have found a single V6 truck with an auto and the 31" tire option, a 1989 I believe, and it had 4.56 gears. I have 4.10 gears now and 31x10.50's and an automatic transmission and the 3VZ-E, but it does alright. I am fairly certain preface-lift 4Runners only came with the 4.56 gearing, but after the face lift, I am not certain.

Or, I could be totally wrong! who knows?

Anyone with some other great articles on Toyota diffs?

 

Ok,resurrecting this from the dead...if I some how managed to find a set of these 4.88 factory 3rd members, are they lockable? Meaning, does anyone makes a locker that fits the funny angles?

 

Okay, to address a couple things.

First off, why are you guys holding back on getting a set of factory 4.88's?

If you EVER need to regear, you can do so easily, but USING YOUR OLD THIRDS.

Just hang on to the original stuff, and you're set.

Second, Jay has it right, though his wording was a bit confusing.

You modify your axle housing, and put the elocker third member into your housing, generally. You can swap axles too, if you like.

You must make sure that an e locker is geared correctly.

Yes you can lock factory 4.88's. The differential is the same, the gears are different.

 

I'm not holding back, cause I know that if I need to re gear I'll have at least one set of 4.10 3rds around. Now that I know that I can for sure lock the rear w/ 4.88s I'm going to start looking for them. Thanks for the info guys!

 

You guys with the "thin ring gear" 488's that are a little worried about them breaking might consider having a back-up one....I just did a gear install for a guy named Steve and he now has a spare thin gear 488(complete 3rd) that he doesn't know what to do with. Here's his email if you would like to inquire SBerry@daystarweb.com

If I had a thin 488....I would remove it for casual maintenance. I would simply tighten the carrier bearings a minimum of 2 to 4 notches on both sides. By keeping the CBPL (carrier bearing pre-load) high, the strength is also kept high and the third will last longer. Sorta like this....

http://gearinstalls.com/refresh.htm

http://gearinstalls.com/freshen.htm

If the pinion is getting a little loose then that means all new bearings...and it should be re-worked by a good guy.

If you bust your thin 488's then it's really not a big deal....just a matter of getting a normal V6 core and getting aftermarket 488's installed.
ZUK