Hi all.

I bought a wrecked '97 Tacoma 3.4l for the parts. With it came both differentials with ARB lockers. I have a '98 Tacoma 2.7l that I would like to put the lockers in. What I want to do is rebuild the diffs from the V6 Tacoma with all the right gears and such while they are sitting on my bench, and then swap them in to my truck. What I want to know, and can't find by searching, is if the diffs are the same and will simply bolt up???

Thank you

MM

OK, just found this site.... http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/ It looks like they are the same diff... but if anyone sees this and can confirm one way or the other, please chime in.

 

Do you plan on parting the rest of the vehicle out?

 

They should bolt up. However, they might have a different gear ration than what you have.

Those Tacos came with only 2 different rear differentials:
The TRD diffs with e-locker (8"), and the non-TRD (so-called 8.4"). However the ring gear is 8" in diameter for both. I would assume that the rear with the ARB is the 8.4. I can't imagine replacing a TRD e-locked diff with an ARB.

AFAIK, they only made one front diff.

No actual experience with this, just from what I have read over the last 4 years.

 

your 4cyl taco should have come with an 8.4" diff/housing, as should the non-TRD v6 4runner -- so yes, they should swap over just fine as they're both the same. if you were going from an 8.4" to an 8" or vice versa then it would be more work.

since someone had ARBs installed, there's a high chance it doesn't have stock gearing anymore, so count teeth and find out what you have before buying new gears to set it up. depending on mileage you may have to do nothing to them, but it might be good to have them inspected for gear pattern and bearings etc.

in regards to why you'd ever want to swap an e-locker out for an ARB...both are great products and are selectable. the elocker is great since it's fairly simple unit and can be converted to cable actuated, but the ARB has the advantage of getting OBA on your rig and will likely be a wiser choice if you've got tires over 35" and beat on the rig. ARB does have its own downsides, since it relies on other items to function - like the compressor, power supply, hoses going to the ARBs, etc. elocker has actuator exposed and it can get hung up and fail.

i also have no personal experience with this as i'm too broke to afford these upgrades