my buddy blew the ring gear in his 97 taco, i assume its a 8.4". we found a 3rd out of a 95 truck to replace it with, are they the same? it has the same ratio and all.

 

If it's a Tacoma, it will swap in (unless it's an e-locker). If it is not a Tacoma, it will not swap in as it is an 8" diff.

 

Toyota rear ends from 79-95
Toyota front axles from 79-85
Land Cruiser 80's Series fronts from 91-97
4-Runners rear axles from 96-2002
Taco rear axles with e-lockers not sure on the year

All of the above are 8" Toyota diffs. Excluding e-locker housing mods, one will bolt into the other.

If the Taco had a locker, the new third has to be e-locked, but it could be one from the 95 runner.

If it was not e-locked, then you cannot use the third from the 95 runner since 8.4" does not equal 8"

 

thanks for the clarification. i jsut wasnt sure when they axels changed to 8.4.
so an 8" diff from 95 will not fit in an 8.4", correct?

 

Correct.

 

You need a 3rd from a non-TRD 4x4 taco or t100. E-lockers weren't available for Tacos in '97.