Hey guys!

I'm swapping out front drive axles / diffs from an SR5 parts truck, to my base model pickup. Having a hell of a time getting the front diff out, have all CV's disconnected, all mounting bolts removed, and cannot seem to get the darn thing past the oil pan (3VZ motor).

Any suggestion for persuading it out would be awesome!!

 

Have you removed the half-shafts? I've never removed the diff, but I'd take the half-shafts out first.

Or is that your problem? To remove the half-shafts, the front suspension MUST be compressed as though the truck were sitting on the tires. If you just have the front wheels dangling, the angle is wrong and the half-shafts will not come out.

 

Well I have the shafts disconnected already, the whole unit is loose, I can move it slightly with my mini floor jack. Seems to me that it won't move back any will not budge in any direction, as I try to move the unit toward the rear of the vehicle I hit the oil pan.

 

Have you taken out the front cross member that the diff bolts to? With that out of the way it should come right out. Just remove the two bolts on each side that attach the cross member to the frame.

 

Okay, I must have missed that yesterday, I'll give it a shot today and hopefully get it out.
Thanks RJR

 

Got it off finally, It was that and the three bolts I missed on the passenger side frame mount. Thanks for your help!!