3rd gen full rear axle swap: What should I expect?
06-23-2004, 10:31 AM
#21
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I forget about the Az heat factor and can certainly understand...It was almost 90* here (7000 ft. 
) one day last week and I thought I was gonna die 
:chicken:
) one day last week and I thought I was gonna die :chicken:
06-23-2004, 05:23 PM
#23
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Thread Starter
Its a 4.30!!
OK guys, looks like it is a 4.30 ratio. So, that leads me to my next question:
How hard is a full front differential/axle swap?
I think 4.30's would be really nice, so I am still going to buy the 4Runner.
How hard is a full front differential/axle swap?
I think 4.30's would be really nice, so I am still going to buy the 4Runner.
06-23-2004, 05:46 PM
#24
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Mine is 4.30's now too. It's better than the 4.10's anyways.
It's not too bad of a job. It took 2 of us about 1hr to remove my diff and it took me about 2 hours to put it back in by myself. It's a little tricky to get back in without removing the axles from the spindles, but it's possible.
How close do you live to Tempe? Why don't you get a hold of Schaefer, drive both trucks over there and do the swap in a day. It would be a good day of wrenching, but entirely doable. I'm sure he would be up for it.
It's not too bad of a job. It took 2 of us about 1hr to remove my diff and it took me about 2 hours to put it back in by myself. It's a little tricky to get back in without removing the axles from the spindles, but it's possible.
How close do you live to Tempe? Why don't you get a hold of Schaefer, drive both trucks over there and do the swap in a day. It would be a good day of wrenching, but entirely doable. I'm sure he would be up for it.
06-23-2004, 05:57 PM
#26
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Thread Starter
I am not that far from Tempe, but to be honest I don't like to bug people. Even though Steve could probably do this blindfolded.
If I end up doing this myself, I am going to take my time. I will get the rear knocked out, then the front. If I try and take too much on at once, I will go crazy. The good news is that this is not my daily driver, so there is no real rush.
The hardest part about everything looks to be the e-locker wiring. I don't mind the wrenching.
So I will just be swapping the front diff with the axles and the spindles attached. Then I just have to take care of the brakes. That is my understanding anyway.
Thanks for all your help Jim (and others). I really do appreciate it.
If I end up doing this myself, I am going to take my time. I will get the rear knocked out, then the front. If I try and take too much on at once, I will go crazy. The good news is that this is not my daily driver, so there is no real rush.
The hardest part about everything looks to be the e-locker wiring. I don't mind the wrenching.
So I will just be swapping the front diff with the axles and the spindles attached. Then I just have to take care of the brakes. That is my understanding anyway.
Thanks for all your help Jim (and others). I really do appreciate it.
06-23-2004, 06:00 PM
#27
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No, you only have to swap the center section.
You have to remove the axles from the diff. You can leave them in the spindles (at the wheel end).
You better get some pics from AnzSky (I didn't take any).
You have to remove the axles from the diff. You can leave them in the spindles (at the wheel end).
You better get some pics from AnzSky (I didn't take any).
06-23-2004, 06:01 PM
#28
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by AznSky
not hard dude, honestly. I watched the guys pull my front and rear diffs. pm me if you want more detailed info on both diffs. including pictures
I keep telling myself "if you can do headers, you can do this."
This other 4Runner is nice!
06-23-2004, 06:02 PM
#29
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Originally Posted by Albuquerque Jim
No, you only have to swap the center section.
You have to remove the axles from the diff. You can leave them in the spindles (at the wheel end).
You better get some pics from AnzSky (I didn't take any).
You have to remove the axles from the diff. You can leave them in the spindles (at the wheel end).
You better get some pics from AnzSky (I didn't take any).
06-23-2004, 06:06 PM
#30
Tom (Trailcarnage) and I did my swap in about 8 hours (including breaks). I bought a front diff with 4.30 gears and an entire rear axle w/ e-locker and 4.30 gears from a wrecked 4Runner. We swapped the front diffs and the entire rear axle in 90+ degree and really high humidity. The only hangup was a seized bolt on one of the rear control arms.
06-24-2004, 06:06 AM
#31
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Thread Starter
When I remove both front axles from the diff, will the diff "drop down" inside the diff housing? The reason I ask, is because this happens on Honda's...but I am not sure about Toyota's.
Thanks!
Thanks!
06-24-2004, 06:47 AM
#32
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Originally Posted by <96 Runner>
When I remove both front axles from the diff, will the diff "drop down" inside the diff housing? The reason I ask, is because this happens on Honda's...but I am not sure about Toyota's.
Thanks!
Thanks!
06-25-2004, 08:18 PM
#35
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Thread Starter
UPDATE:
Got the 4.30 axle pulled! Not too bad...
More...
http://www.montypics.com/pic.php?url..._25_04_001.jpg
http://www.montypics.com/pic.php?url..._25_04_003.jpg
Got the 4.30 axle pulled! Not too bad...
More...
http://www.montypics.com/pic.php?url..._25_04_001.jpg
http://www.montypics.com/pic.php?url..._25_04_003.jpg
Last edited by rimpainter.com; 06-25-2004 at 08:19 PM.
06-25-2004, 08:50 PM
#36
Forgive me for my ignorance. But what is the primary intent in doing a rear axle swap?
I noticed that the part numbers which were mentioned, i.e., VZN185-G...., are the series number of the 4Runner. Are these numbers also the part number for the rear axles? Or were you referring to the truck itself?
Thanks.
I noticed that the part numbers which were mentioned, i.e., VZN185-G...., are the series number of the 4Runner. Are these numbers also the part number for the rear axles? Or were you referring to the truck itself?
Thanks.
Last edited by KZN185W; 06-25-2004 at 08:54 PM.
06-25-2004, 09:02 PM
#37
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Thread Starter
Roy-
The 4Runner I purchased today has a rear locking differential. The rig also has 4.30 gears, which helps alleviate the extra diameter of larger tires. So, I am swapping the front and rear axles for the reason mentioned above. I hope that helps.
The 4Runner I purchased today has a rear locking differential. The rig also has 4.30 gears, which helps alleviate the extra diameter of larger tires. So, I am swapping the front and rear axles for the reason mentioned above. I hope that helps.
06-26-2004, 01:19 PM
#39
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Thread Starter
Not sure if anyone is following along, but oh well.
Here are some pics anyway:
4.10 coming out...
http://www.montypics.com/pic.php?url...s_6_04_001.jpg
4.10 out...
http://www.montypics.com/pic.php?url...s_6_04_002.jpg
Bucket o bolts...
http://www.montypics.com/pic.php?url...s_6_04_003.jpg
Here are some pics anyway:
4.10 coming out...
http://www.montypics.com/pic.php?url...s_6_04_001.jpg
4.10 out...
http://www.montypics.com/pic.php?url...s_6_04_002.jpg
Bucket o bolts...
http://www.montypics.com/pic.php?url...s_6_04_003.jpg
