Hey All,

I've tried searching for this info but I can't find the answer. I have an 01 4runner that I want to swap the rear end out on. The housing is rusted bad, and I'd just as soon replace the whole rear end.

The issue is I'm having a hell of a time finding a full rear end in good shape with 4.10 gearing, for 16in wheels, with abs, no e-locker.

I found one in great shape with 4.30 gearing that checks all the other boxes (no e-locker, abs, 16in wheels) - If I bought that, and simply swapped my current 3rd member on to that, would that complete the re-gear to 4.10? Or is there more to the process?

 

Yes cab swap a 3rd from one housing to another

 

I would think the abs style axle housing would work but you would have to leave the abs sensor in place, 01-02 abs have a different axle bearing than 95.5-00, I'm unsure if you can swap 01 non-abs axles into a 96-00 axle housing or what those differences might be, not sure if it would have the latest bearing setup or not being non-abs, you would have to go to a dealer with both VIN's donor axle and yours and compare part numbers if you plan to salvage any of your axles, diffs will interchange as long as you have the ratio correct front and back. So maybe look for the more common abs non elocker complete axle housing, or even better a 5speed 4:10 with elocker and abs. I would do a spin test on your axle and donor to insure they are correct incase someone swapped gear ratios. I don't think the 15"-16" wheel make any difference as long as the axle is the correct ratio, they are all 8" rear diffs, so don't let that stop you if it's the correct ratio you're good.

 

Shoot - Sorry - Just edited my original post to correct -- I meant I found an axle and housing that matches in every way except the gearing. - So I found an abs, non locking, setup for 16" wheels- the only difference is it has 4.3 gears. A complete match except the gear ratio.

Could I buy that and simply swap in my current 3rd member (that's a 4.10) and be good to go? No further gear setup necessary?

 

Like dropzone said...you have to pull the axle shafts so the 3rd member can come out. Put your 3rd member in its place, the guts are complete with the 3rd member, the axle is just a housing. Put axle shafts back in.
That's the simplified version, of course.

 

Are you sure it's a 4.30 non elocker, I was unaware they made that for a 4Runner axle housing, I thought all 4.3 ratio where elocking for an auto v6 4R. But yes 3rd members are interchangeable as mentioned, they are pre-set up just plug and play, although not easy to separate out of the vehicle, they stick together pretty good.

 

Yeah I'm sure that one I'm looking at is a 4.30 non locker.

You bring up a good point though, as I've heard from more than one source that you can't trust axle codes or vin or any combo thereof to tell you the gear ratio (I've got an A03A) for 3rd gens. I verified mine is a 4.10 with the spin check. But when it comes to sourcing a replacement, especially remotely, it makes me not-exactly-trusting of dealers and junkyards when they tell me the ratio. They all say - oh it's an A03A - that's what an axle code is for- of course it'll fit if yours is an A03A...

I thought it'd be a bit easier to find a drop in replacement, as 4.10 is a pretty common ratio, and I know lots of guys have swapped out non-locking rear ends for lockers (so theoretically some non-lockers should be floating around), but I guess just the older it gets the harder it is.