Give my mate Tel a ring in the UK on 07759 272270. He's got loads of surf axles..same as 4runner.

 

Good man.....I will do in the morning

we think a surf 1990 model will fit?!? I may have found one if them

 

1990 surf will fit - just check your axle code to make sure it has the same ratio diff if you're fitting a complete axle. (plate on bulkhead where it says axle/trans will be a Gxxx number probably G294 or 295 if lsd) if different you'll have to drop your old diff into it.

 

Whereabouts on the bulkhead is this?? I have never seen this??

 

Open the bonnet look at the back of bay - should be an ally plate just above the back of the rocker cover on the bulkhead. To the left of where the heater hoses go through to the inside of truck. If not there's probably 2 holes where it used to be rivetted on..

 

Hmmm.....got a feeling I'll see the two holes, any other way to check out if it'll be the same gear ratios?? What's worst case if I just fit it??

 

Worst case: You'll have unmatching gear ratios and need to get one changed out. Best way to check your gear ratios if you don't have your plate deal would be to lift one side of the truck with the opposite wheel on the ground.
chock the wheels, release the parking brake, and put the truck into neutral.
spin the tire around 10-20 times and count the revolutions that that driveline makes.
Chances are it will spin between 4.11 and 4.88 times per wheel turn.
if it's closer to 5 you'll have 4.88's.
if its closer to 4, you'll have 4.10s or maybe 4.30's. the 4.30s are unlikely though, seeing as they were found in early model solid axle trucks.

 

This may help.

 

my recommendation: check out trail-gear and get their awesome rock assault axle housing and swap out your coil sprung rear for leaf springs. The time is right! Clean, new, and improved empty axle ready to accept all of the worky bits in your rear end.
http://www.trail-gear.com/rock-assault-axle-housing

 

go take a look at your rear end. There is what's called a 'third member' there that is removed from the driveshaft (propeller shaft) side of the differential. That contains all of the bearings and gears and what-have-you. If you remove the rear brakes, and slide out your inner axle shafts, you just un-bolt your entire third member and put the new axle housing in. All of the parts will simply bolt into place. You don't have to worry about the set up of the gears, its an entirely removable assembly in the carrier.

photos thanks to the guide at atarmor.com: