So I'm looking to buy a 1980 Toyota pickup. It has the 20r motor, a three inch lift on 33 inch tires. The downside is its missing the front different and I have been looking for parts to find out if this truck will be worth my while trying to fix it. I want to rebuild the diff if I can but need some advice as to whether or not it'd be better to rebuild or use the axles off a newer model if that's a possibility. Also would I need to match the gears so when it's in 4 wheel drive the tires turn at the same rate?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

If you are looking for a replacement diff you need to find one out of a 79-81' I believe. Those years came with 3.90 gears I think, 82' on up have 4.10's...or if your planning on running 33's with the 20r you might want to go ahead and upgrade both diffs to 4.88s (for 33's ) or 5.29's for 35" and bigger. Good luck!

 

Wrong. 79-80 had 4.37. 81 had 3.90 and 82-83 had 4.10. Although all are 8 inch diff and could be swapped. I like my 4.37 with 33s. Geared about right with the 4 speed imho