i just blew the rear end in my truck. instead of swapping out the gears, my buddy has a rear axle(gears are in it) im gonna swap with instead. my truck is a 6cyl and the new axle came off a 4cyl. mine's an 89 and his is a 93. is it likely that the gear ratio will be the same?

 

Read these pages to find out for sure. This applies only if you know whether or not the gears in the 3rd members are factory.

http://www.brian894x4.com/Gearratiosanddiffs.html
http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

 

What gears do you have now?

As for fit, everything will work just fine, although you are sacrificing a little strength going "down" to the 4cyl third.

 

The 4cyl thirds are weaker unless you've put an upgraded locker in it.

 

Sorry, I don't see how putting a locker in it makes it any stronger. Aside from that, the strength issue is only concerned with the carrier itself....unless I'm mistaken.??? But, even that's debatable.

And besides, how often do carriers actually break before a ring/pinion gear?

 

they should both be toyota 8inch axles. if im not mistaken all the pick ups have the 8 inch and the tundra has a bigger axle not sure what it is though.

 

this might help: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/faq/parts/

Also popping out the 3rd is relatively easy IMO, than count the pinion gear teeth and divide by the ring gear count.

 

The V6 has a 4 pinion spider assembly where the 4cyl uses a 2 pinion. A locker would replace that part, making them equivalent.

I was referring to the V6 third housing itself that has additional bracing and larger bearings.

Regardless, it's not a huge difference in strength

 

Ah! Now I see, said the flea.

And now that you've mentioned it, I remember reading that....the part about the spider gears and bearings. Did not know that about the locker. But then, I don't know a lot about lockers....

Anyway, thanks for the info.

 

Oh, one more thing.......(apologies for the slight hijack)

How would the differences (4 vs 6cyl) apply to a towing application? I'm going to assume heavier duty 6cyl diff would last longer with respect to wear?

 

The V6 diff is SLIGHTLY stronger. I would think it would only be significant under considerable stress.

 

I put a 4cyl rear end in my truck because I couldn't find a v6 one at the time. I did that in April, and I've been romping on it ever since. NO problems. I just read in a 4x4ing magazine that people are starting to buy up 4cyl 8" Toyota rear ends with 4.10 gears to put in their off road projects due to the weight to strength ratio and how narrow it is.

Also, some reports I have read say that a select few of the V6's came with a 2 pinion configuration verses the standard 4 pinion. (4cyl rear end from factory). I am going to say from that and my own personal experience, that you should have absolutely no problem.


Clint