notice that when both rear tires are on snow both will spin but when one tire is on dry pavement and the other is on snow only the tire on the snow will spin. is this normal? also tried tapping the brakes to send power to the non spinning wheel, didn't work.

 

You have a open diff. Completely normal

 

Nothing to be worried about put a locker in if you don't want that

 

Ok, I do have a non running part truck with a good rear end. is there a tag anywhere on the differential that tells gear ratio and if it is open or not?

 

take the rear cover off and remove all doubt.

 

ummm, what cover would you be referring to? He would have to pull the entire third member out. Also, as far as I know there isn't a stock toyota truck from the generation he has that has anything but an open diff in it. The tacomas with the TRD Off Road packages have an e-locker, but thats about it. It could possibly have 4.56 gears, but more than likely it has 4.10s

 

If you search for vin decoder on here you will get all the info you want assuming that your truck has not been "customized" it will give you lots of info on your truck and gears ect

 

If you want to know what gears you have look on your door pane driver side look for the letter G and following three number or more ..

 

Being a 92 he might also have 4.88, they will be g144.

 

I was referring to the rear third, too many years of driving non-toyotas.

At 20+ years on these trucks, i wouldn't rely on the sticker as to what a truck has for gears, it's what they had. The parts truck I bought said 4:10's on the sticker, he said it was a spartan locker, I pulled the third member out and it was welded and they were 4:56's. Back to the OPS question about his parts truck, If it was me, I'd take the third out on your parts truck if you're curious about what's in it. It's easy to do (lots of good threads with pictures and videos on how to do it) and good practice if you're planning to change yours out anyways, and remove all doubt.

 

So no factory " limited slip" before trd, good to know. I don't know if my parts truck (1991) has been modified. if I jack rear tires off the ground and put transmission in neutral and turn one wheel forward would the opposite wheel turn in same direction if it has a locker? My f250 limited slip responds as such.

 

I got build sheet from dealer but it said nothing about gear ratio or any axle data. Will search for decoder as you suggest. Using Android is pain in the arse.

 

92 auto.... You prolly got 4.33's. Its possible that it has 4.88's, (though, I think that was mostly a 4runner thing, and not a p/u thing) and even less likely, but still possible it has 4.10's.... My $ is on 4.33's tho.

 

The door code is G254.
Ran toyodiy decoder but it didn't give axle info either.

 

G254 is 8"- 4.556 (4.56) 4 pinion open diff.

Differential decoder page:

http://www.brian894x4.com/Gearratiosanddiffs.html

 

Thanks mill & others.
previous owner did say that front end had a locker installed, woulda thought they'd started with the rear first. Canadian vehicle original.

 

That could be a selling point if he knows you won't check it

 

hmm... thats 4.56 code..... That dont make a lot of sense for an auto....

4.56's usually came with 5spd 4 runners with the off-road, 31" tire package....

 

Somebody has fooled around in the front punkin, see red permatex around cover.

 

Door sticker shows P225 tires. could be a Canadian thing...4.56s?