What are the differences between a 1st gen Tacoma rear axle and a 2nd gen Tacoma rear axle? I have been looking for a 8.4" rear axle assembly and or 3rd member for a 2000 Tacoma 4x4 Regular Cab 3RZ 5-speed with 4.3 axles non-ABS.
They seem to be hard to find (eBay) or very expensive... I can find 2nd gen Tacoma axles at much more reasonable prices I am just curious what would have to change to put one of those in? Are the spring pad location the same? If I don't have ABS that shouldn't matter also?
Does anybody have experience with this or am I better just rebuilding the current 3rd member?

Sorry if this has been talked about before but I can not find an answer.

 

So you want to put a complete 2nd gen Taco rear axle assembly in a 1st gen, springs are in a different location, it would be pretty wide on a 1st gen, you need to match up your 3rd member to the front.

 

OK thank you that was the part I was not sure. I will probably just rebuild the one I have then. I was kind of in sticker shock the cheapest used axle I can find is $700.

 

Could send it to Zuk, buying a used 3rd member that is 20 years old would be risky without knowing the history and milage. You sure you have 4.3 gear ratio and 8.4", usually only e-locked rear diffs are 4.3 ratio 7.5", I would expect yours to be either 4.56 or 4.10 -8", mind you yours is an odd ball set up, but you will know once it is pulled, the ratio will be stamped right on the ring gear. <- this also makes buying used diffs a gamble unless your certain of the donor ratio and your current ratio.

http://www.gearinstalls.com

Some extra info that may apply to you.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/...-chart.365138/

https://www.sonoransteel.com/downloa...aGearRatio.pdf

 

Thanks I will check them out