i tried searching and searching and i cannot find the answer to my problem. i have an 87 pickup with 4.10s (im assuming, havent had it apart so as long as the po's didnt regear.) i got an 82 parts truck and wanted to swap a welded 3rd out of the 82 into my 87. turns out the 82 has 3.90s. i am going to solid axle swap sometime this winter so i will need the rear third swapped anyways. so i was wondering if it would be okay to put the 3.90s in now. then the only time i would us 4x4 is if i was stuck in the mud or snow. some guys told me it would be okay, some said no. what is your opinion.

 

Bad idea. Wait till you do the swap. With typical toyota owner luck...you will get record snow and nuke the transfer case.

 

Ehh .... From a technical stand point you shouldn't. Your front and back need to be at the same speed or binding in the transfer case will rip it self apart.

That being said... it is possible... but by putting the 3.90 in the back your making your rear tires spin faster than your fronts. So in 4wd the back end will be trying to pass the front end.

Most people who do something like this run the lower ratio in the front, so the front end is going a little faster than the rear. Making it pull straighter up hill or in mud, and helping it turn sharper. But it does add ALOT of stress to the transfer case. But with a small enough tire and very low traction surfaces, it can actually last.

 

X2.. unless you want to risk needing 4x4 and wrecking your t case...dont do it

 

alright, thanks guys. i was thinking it was a no-go anyways but i just needed a few extra opinions

 

Different front and rear ratios will end in something going and you going

:wabbit2: