I've been searching for some gears to upgrade to 4.88 since I have larger tires and am getting tired of the bog on the engine power. Been looking into a few sites (of which none list prices)

Should I go with the entire differential, or just the ring and pinion?

Also, I saw a Detroit softlocker and truetrac. What's the difference, and for anyone with experience with one or the other...comments on each?

Also, what's the best place to buy the gears? I'm finding a few places, but they all seem a little shady.

-edit-
by the way, i did try and search. Couldnt find anything specific like this. Also, searching "4.88" on these forums yields no results. Dont know if there's something wrong with the search or what.

 

I think your search is about a retarded as mine, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

It's cheaper to buy the thirds than it is to buy ring and pinion sets. Why? Because you have to have someone set up the gears for you. Lets say it's 160$ a set for R&P and 200$ a set to set them up (shipping is also a factor if you don't have someone close and the fact that you might be without your rig for a couple of days while the gears are getting done).

So we have 720$ so far?

Just buy a set of 4.88 thirds off of ebay or from one of the folks over in the classified section. I bought a set of 4.56's a year ago for something like 400$ and put them in myself. It'll only take you about half a day to do both the front and rear even if you've never done it before.

As far as Detroits go I don't have any information. They are way too pricey for me so I don't really look at them.

 

Problem with buying factory 4.88 diffs is the offset ring and pinion. If you ever want to regear to a 5.29, or any other ratio for that matter, you would have to buy a new diff.

I would regear your diff so that in the future, if you ever decide to regear, you have the option.

OR, you could keep your current diff in storage for if you ever decide to regear, and buy a 4.88 to plug in now.

 

Do any 4.88 gears work? Or do they have to be specific by year and make?

I dont plan on re gearing in the future, as I don't ever plan on going with larger tires.

I found another source that sells entire differentials: TrailGear. Apparently they're pretty well known on the forums here, but they dont seem as shady as the other sites I saw.

 

Any 8" rear third and 7.5" front will work with your 89. Your best bet is to stay within the years 1986 and 1995. I put thirds out of a 95 4runner into my 86 pickup and they were a direct swap.

If you can find a 4runner that has the 3.0 motor and auto tranny with the 31" tire package from the factory then it'll have 4.88 thirds. I know the "U-Pull-It" here has thirds for 50$ each it's just impossible for me to get to them before someone else does so getting some from a salvage yard may be your cheapest option if you can find them.

 

Interesting. I didnt even consider a pick-n-pull place. so just look for the 3.0 engine, auto tranny (what if it only has a manual?) and 31" tire package? Was the 31" tire thing a special 4runner thing, or were 31" tires standard on the 4runners?

 

If you're looking at doing lockers at the same time (as you should be IMHO), then buying a complete third from TrailGear or Randy's Ring and Pinion is VERY cost competitive.

If you can't swing that cash though, just get the gears and have thefatkid on COTTORA set them up for you. Just understand that when you want lockers later, you may be paying for gear setup again.

The Detroit is a true locker - the trutrac is a limited slip. If you're going to 'wheel the rig, I wouldn't do a trutrac. All the drawbacks of a locker with not many of the upsides.

 

I think I'll just go with a full locker than just a diff from a pick n pull. Local yard wants $400 for the 4.88 rear differential.

 

This isn't necessarily true, my '91 4runner 3.0 V6, auto, with 31's has 4.56's from the factory. I wish I had 4.88's. Hopefully over the summer I'll be able to find a set that I can afford, before I buy the locker.

 

OH! I stand corrected.

 

I know that some 3rd gen trucks and 2nd gen 4runners came with 4.88's, but mine didn't. But that got me thinking, I wonder if the US made Toyota's came with the 4.88 gear set. My 4runner was built in Japan, according to the vin.

 

Maybe, but you could buy some 4.10s for $20-60ea to use the third and the case and sell your 4.88s for $150-200 ea.

 

would a Dana 30 XJ 4.88 Gearset for high pinion Dana 30 work? I found one for sale, but it's for a jeep. It's just the gear set.

 

It might work, but you would only make it 3-4 feet before TRD ninjas came flying from the woods and kicked your ass for using Jeep parts in a Toyota.

 

I got some 4.88 thirds that I will be selling once I start parting out my runner. If you are not in a hurry make me an offer. I will be parting the whole truck out. 92 22re. i don't know what shipping would be that far though.....

 

Oh no!!!!! Any1 but the TRD ninja death squad!!!!!!!

May Mistress Toyota have mercy on you for even entertaining the thought! REPENTREPENTREPENT!

 

Factory 4.88's where available starting in 92 till 95.

So ANY 92-95 pickup or 4unner, with the 3vze, auto and 31" (big tire package) tires from the factory, not the dealer. Came with the 4.88's. I got a set from a late production 92/93 4runner 'sequoia edition'. Cost me $350 front and rear. I overpaid aswell. Expect to pay around $300 for both, dont pay more then $400 for a good front and rear diff...

If it has a 5sp, then most likely it has 4.56 gears.

And if you ever do want to go to 5.29, Matt has the idea. Just buy a 4.10 diff. They are so rediculusly cheap its not even funny. Guys can bearly give them away

 

Thanks for the clarification Jay, makes me wish that my 4runner was a '92.....with the swing out tire carrier.

 

No prob

Well, then you would have the lame headlights! I wish toyota optioned the rear tire carrier till 95!

 

This is the key.

... and while the early grille may not look as good, the later model headlights SUCK and there are NO options for replacement.