Okay. I've been lazily looking into regearing my Surf. During my quest for knowledge and wisdom, I read that the factory 4.88 gears (which I have) cannot be changed. I have now read this in several places, but none (that I've found) tell why this is...
I believe I read somewhere that in order to do so, you have to change the casing or housing (I can't remember which, and can't find where I read it).
So.. even after reading that I'm still a little confused... (keep in mind, I've never worked on rear wheel drive before) Does the same apply to the front diff? I assume the 'housing' is the outer shell of the "3rd member"? And I'm fuzzy on what the 'casing' is...? Also see the term "carrier" kicked around... ?
So... if I want to regear to say 5:29's what exactly do I need (besides the ring & pinion)?

Now a ask... Share your knowledge with me, ye gods of yotatech!

 

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

www.gearinstalls.com

 

The factory 4.88's have a thinner ring gear. Aftermarket gears are thicker. The info you seek is here:

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/#v6/turbo

 

Geez veterans.

All those links are in one sticky.

Click the link in my sig.

You can buy a set of 4.10's, get those regeared to 5.29's. Then sell your 4.88 set. Going rate for those are 350- 500 bucks. Help offset your regear cost.

 

i thought it was because the pinion had a funny offset or something? lol

*EDIT* guess i should have read Scuba's article first lol, me and him are both right lol

the pinion has a funny offset BECAUSE of the thinner gear lol

 

okay... I'm a little more clear on the parts now. Thanks for the links... But I'm still a little confused...
So it's got an offset pinion gear... does that mean it uses a different housing, thus needing a complete new 3rd to regear and bolt in?

Also... is $500 a good price for a factory e-locker with 150000 km's?
(I won't run into any probems regearing an e-locker, right? lol)

 

okay...read some more... answered my own question about the housing...

So... as I understand, to regear from the factory 4.88's, I'll need a new 3rd member [housing, case(carrier) & gears(eg:4.10's)], new ring & pinion (5.29's) for front and rear diffs, and a case of beer to pay the guy who knows what he's doing... correct?

As for the e-locker, I know what I need to do to make it work (again, thanks for the links), just need to know if $500 is a good price? (comes with full axle, dash switch and all factory wiring)

thanks guys!

 

Probably need more then a case of beer for someone to set up gears.

And yes, good price.

 

thanks for the feedback... one last thing..

Does the front 7.5" diff on the 2nd gen Runners have reverse gears? I don't want to waste money cuz of a stupid mistake...