I'm confused about my options with my factory 4.88's. From what I gather I am not able to use an e-locker from another model, nor am I able to regear with this third member. But, I am able to swap in a different 8" carrier to get the locker and gears I want. What if anything can I do with the my existing carrier?

Chris

 

Sell. And they are somewhat desirable so you shouldn't have any trouble. If you are happy with that ratio you should be able to lock with another type of locker though.

 

Would I have to get an ARB or other v/air actuated locker, or is there another e-locker I can get. Also, who is desirous of this diff and why?

Thanks,

Chris

 

Someone that wants 4.88's and no desire to change them can pop in an already setup third. I think these diffs can be locked with any other locker on the market i.e. Detroit, Lockright, ARB but I'm not absolutely positive on that. I believe the issue is only with regearing, not locking, but you probably ought to double check me on that. Also I KNOW the issue is only with the 8" diff. The 7.5" up front can be regeared, and for sure you can re-sell those gears even if it's only the gears. There are plenty of folks that want to stay IFS but run 33's on 4.88s that you can move those.

 

Cool. Thanks, I'll check out that locker business. As for the 4.88's, I run 31" tires right now and not sure if I want to go to 33". At least for the time being, these tires are pretty new. I had 33" on a Jeep that I had a while back and that thing got worse mileage than my 3VZE! I really should have regeared that, but I got rid of it before too long.

Chris

 

let me know if you want to sell the gears.

 

I assume you have an auto? Otherwise 4.88's are perfect for 33's. I don't have experience with the v6 or auto but I understand you do have to go 1 step higher with that combo. i.e. 4.88 for 31's, and 5.29 for 33's. Jeez, just typing that out makes me realize how much that must suck.

 

Ha!!! See.

 

ide take the gears to....i wanna jump upto 38s :-) I could use some extra gearing

 

I do have the auto tranny, it does suck. In retorspect I wish I would have waited to find a manual, especially now that I know how much I love this truck and want to make it into a decent trail rig. But, hindsight is always 20/20. Anyways, 4.88 is the proper gearing with this setup and 31" tires? I didn't know that. Also, the gears are not for sale yet guys, I'll let you know if that happens (you were right blcknblu)! I really want to put a locker in there, but a) don't know which will fit, have to read more about that and b) don't know if I want to put a lunchbox in or save for a while and get the ARB (if it fits). I wish I had some hindsight regarding this subject.

Chris

 

for those people wanting the gears - THEY WON'T WORK IN YOUR THIRD MEMBER. You have to buy the whole third.

The carrier is the same, so all Toyota 8" lockers and limited slips work.

The difference is the pinion is offset in the thirdmember housing so the ring gear isn't as thick. SO, you can't use these gears in any other thirds, and nobody makes replacements, so you can't regear or fix a broken set.

The axle housing itself is identical, so you can swap in an elocker third from a TRD Tacoma (or some 4Runners) or any other Toyota 8" thirdmember.
http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

 

Yeah the 3.0 auto trucks that came from the factory with 31 inch tires came with 4.88s. But even then the trucks were geared too high IMHO, they really would have been geared better with 5.29s or at least something in between if it was possible. I sold my factory 4.88s and have hindsight from running 31/4.88, 33/4.88, 33/5.29, 33/5.71 combos. My favorite if I was to do it again (with the 3.slow) would be 33/5.71.

BTW you can make a very "decent trail rig" with an auto tranny, I prefer an auto for the rocks or steep hills. Lots of hardcore rockcrawlers use autos too.

 

I agree - the issue with the auto is the overdrive, not 1st gear.

 

What? Not even Toyota?

 

Chris, if I was you, I'd keep the 31s and run an arb. That's it. If later you want bigger tires, do some 32s. I think 33s will give you horrible mileage even with the 4:88s. On an auto at least. I've been reading how hard it is to deal with the factory 4:88s. You're lucky you have them. Don't mess with them.

 

Thanks for the info.,

So, I can use any of the lockers with my stock gears and carrier, but I can not swap out my gears due to the slim pinion gear? I read that articel on 4x4wire about this, but was still unsure. I would like to get an ARB, but that is a chunk of cash ($800 upfront), and what is the typical price for the install? I'm pretty decent when it comes to fixing anything really (shop manuals help!), but they have to reset the backlash and everything for the gears right? From what I've read, this is something best left to the pro's.

Chris

 

I'm sure you COULD get them through Toyota, but "an arm and a leg" wouldn't begin to explain the price.

Yes, installing an ARB has all the same issues as setting up gears and is best left to the pros. Figure $150 - 200 per axle if you drop the thirdmember and take it in to the shop. 3x that if you just drop the truck off.

 

Yeah, that would make it harder to drive....I suppose. I mean...missing an arm and leg and all.

Best to consult with a black market for arms and legs. They may have bulk pricing. I'm sure you could conjure up a group buying club around here.....somewhere. Check the market value for caucasian, asian, european, etc. comparitively. You may wind up having to employ a barge....knowing Toyota.