Well, the time has come. Rear diff is going out on the 4Runner. 97 model with 230k miles, auto, 3.4, 285/75s. I always said I’d regear it if I had to do a diff. Now I’m not so sure. We pull the SoCal camper from Western Ky to near Asheville NC a couple times a year. Although lately we have used the 04 v8 runner. The 97 only get 4K to 6k miles per year, if even that now. We mainly camp and trail ride with it closer to home, well within a couple hours. Question is , is it really worth it to spend the extra money for the front diff and reheat to 4.88 or just keep the stock 4.10 and fix the rear On a truck that mainly sits in the driveway? Or am I going to be sick that I didn’t go ahead and do it? Obviously the 04 pulls the teardrop better anyway, but I love my 3rd gen. Wife wants to do lift and tires on the 4th, but I’m not sure how she would like that as a dailly driver as it’s not going to ride as well as stock. Decisions, decisions

 

Sounds like it comes down to, can you do it yourself, do you have the time, space, money and skills. Would a stock 4.30 with locker be a wiser move, I've found it works pretty good, the higher the ratio the weaker the gear set. ECGS has a ton of options.

 

Yes,yes and yes. My main hang up is I still want it to be drive-able at hwy speed (75-80) . Or just go back stock and say screw it and save some time and money. It's a play rig anyway. Been driving it back and forth to work this week because of snow. Normally I'm in a Corolla for commuter (80 miles one way). The runner only sees 5k to 6k a year. Not worried about fuel mileage so much as it's not a daily. If I didnt pull the the teardrop with it I wouldnt even be thinking about lower gears. I'm leaning toward just going back stock and using the 4th gen on all the longer trips and using the 97 close to home. We dont do any wheeling with the 4th gen, it's the family transportation, but plan a OME smallest lift with 265/70s sometime. Long story short- I dont want to get it wrong for my application. Stock replacement seems to be the safest option,

 

I think the slight upgrade to 4.30 and an e-locker would be a nice improvement.

front:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carrier-Fro....m46890.l49292

rear:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TOYOTA-4RUN....m46890.l49292

and the rear setup even has the wiring harness to make it factory.

send both lumps to Zuk for an assessment and check-up and you’ll be one fresh improved legs.