Recently my rear end was making a horrible whine and a mechanic told me my ring and pinion were just going out (I think it's just the bearings) so I got a whole new (used) 3rd member with the same gearing and just swapped it out. HOLY CRAP it was EASY! I'm not a mechanic or anything but I had no problems doing this on my own in just a few hours (I took my sweet time). Very cool setup toyota has with these rear ends (8"). So I just wanted to mention how freaking cool our Yota equipment is and wanted to encourage people who are afraid to work on their own stuff to give it a try it's easier than you think, and cheaper. I saved over $500 by buying another 3rd member and doing this myself.

 

I'd like to swap a third member into my 2nd gen maybe a trd electictric lock. Not sure what year I need to get to go the swap.

 

Yep. It's just like a Ford 9" axle. Extremely easy to change the rear wheel bearings and axle seals too! Glad it worked out for you!

 

Yep - I tore in to my 2nd generation Sunday to install a Detroit EZ locker.
I found it to be quite easy and almost a Joy compared to what I had imagined that it could be. Total of 4 hours to tear it down - install the locker
bleed the brakes and fill the differtial with gear oil.

My observations of the locker behavior is in the thread who's installed an aussie locker. I have an automatic and the locker is damn near unnoticeable. no pops, quircks virtually no noise

 

I believe any year from a 4Runner or Taco that is an 8" will work, I think even some of the Land Cruiser Hi-pinion thirds will work too.