ok so I went to the junk yard the other day and fount a couple of V6 toyota trucks and was gonna pull the diffs so I can put 4.88 in my truck but I didnt know if the trucks had them or not. how can I tell if its a 4.56 or a 4.88 is there any way of knowing

 

just do the turn the wheel and count the shaft rotations method i think...u never can tell if somebody put different gears in them than what come from the factory

 

Get the code in the door, come home and check it.

Or do the lifted tire method:

Lift one rear tire
Mark tire
Mark d-shaft
spin tire 20 times
count D-shaft rotations
take that number, divide by 10, and you have your gear ratio.

 

ok thanks Ill try both of theose methods. cuz I found a couple 2nd gen 4runners with 3.0 V6 and auto trannys and I was told that they came factory with 4.88 but I didnt want to take there word and blow money on somthing I didnt want or need so I need a way to make sure they are what I want. thanks again guys

 

I am not 100% sure on this, but I believe the factory Toyota 4.88 3rds cannot be regeared. There are no after market gear sets available that will fit.

If you never plan on doing anything with the new 4.88 3rds except throw them out should they become worn or damaged... this fact may be of little concern.

 

Not saying that you are wrong, but I'm not following that. I'm good up until the divide by 10 part. Can you clarify? Thanks.

 

I have a V6 Runner with AT and NO 31" tire option. Mine is 4.10:1.... decode toyota tags and take the info to the yard and check the door jam and or the tire method....

 

oh that could be a problem! I can get a third member for about $50-$60 or $150 for the whole axle. but is it even worth it if I cant fix it if it breaks? or what would be the cost to take it to the shop and have them install new gears I can get 4.88:1 gears for about $129.99 each but what are install costs

 

The best there is: http://www.gearinstalls.com/

He should have the answers to most of your questions. Send him an E-Mail if not.

 

http://wilmington.craigslist.org/pts/567701193.html

Here you go $400 front and rear open diffs with 4.88's. Can't say he will deliver though.

 

Basic ratio is 2:1 (wheel turns to drive shaft turns), so 20:10 is that same ratio, just more turns so you can tell small differences in ratio:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_TechI...oDetermination