1st Gen Differential Differences!!

What's up guys. Typing here a little pissed and wanted to share this info so that someone else doesn't end up in the same predicament.

I have a 1995 Tacoma 4x4 manual 2.7 3RZ 3.58 Gear ratio

Diff code: B02A
This is very odd to me that they would put 3.58 gears in a 4x4 manual 2.7.....but I digress

My rear diff took a crap and I need a new one. I found on car-part a guy that had a 3.58 diff out of a 1996 Tacoma. Little did I know that the diff was out of a V6 2WD Auto.

So, I paid $220 for it and it was in very grimy rough shape but the gears were good. My plan was to buy OEM bearings, seal, crush sleeve, etc... and rebuild it. I ordered everything I needed OEM by using my VIN from my truck.

Last night I tore in to it. I took it apart, marked everything, cleaned it, scrubbed it, (4 hours worth of cleaning in a tub of mineral spirits/brake cleaner), and began the rebuild process. I put the spider gears in and was ready to start pressing on the new bearings...

Then I look and go....REALLLLYYYY?!? FML.....All of the bearings/races were way too big for everything.

Apparently the pinion shaft is smaller, the carrier seats are smaller, and nothing fits. The gear ratio and ring gear size is correct but the rest is not....see pics

So I have a 30 day return period that is coming up to expire this Sunday. My plan is to put it back together with the old bearings cleaned up and greased up and return the dang thing. It will be in 200% better shape than when I bought it but there's a catch...... OF COURSE! 2 of the bearings (1 carrier and the BIG inner pinion bearing) got damaged during removal. SO now I have to find the exact part number for the pinion bearing to make sure I can re-use the factory shim for the pinion pre-load and a carrier bearing. I called around and it looks like I will have to spend $150 bucks for 2 bearings....JUST so I can return the damn thing. Time is a factor too....I have until Saturday to return the unit to get my money back and I need to find these bearings before Friday. Everyone needs time to ship so this will be fun it seems. Not to mention I HAVE to have this truck done by this weekend. I have been borrowing a truck while mine is out of commission and have to return it sunday.

As far as putting it back together AS IS: I will not return something with messed up bearings. In the end it doesn't hurt the business but hurts the next guy that may need it. Essentially these guys will get a free partial rebuild of the diff...must be nice

I still have my original diff in my truck as I have not had the chance to pull it out. I was planning doing the rebuild having it ready to go and then swap the diff in a few hours.

SO! With this long rant over. What I am trying to convey is as follows:

1) Same gear ratio, close to the same year (1995 vs 1996) diffs may not work. The forum posts/differential info I found online for Tacomas do not know what the A or B is in front of the Code in the door. For instance B02A vs A02A. I have a feeling that A02A means that it has a smaller pinion shaft and bearings in general which probably went in to 2WD autos while my B02A has larger more beefy bearings. <---speculation.
Even LCE isn't sure: https://www.lcengineering.com/LCTechPages/TECHGEARJANUARY.html

^^^If someone knows 100% please let me know. I would like to be corrected if I am not in the ballpark.


2) I purchased the diff under the assumption it was the same. I counted the teeth on the pinion and ring and it was the correct ratio. I did not see any visual differences until I went to install the bearings. I then looked back at my invoice to verify that I purchased the right diff and I see that there was a VIN number on there where the diff came from....the guy never gave me the VIN when I was looking to purchase it unfortunately until it was printed on the invoice after the sale or I would have initially looked up the parts diagrams for both mine and donor vehicles to verify part numbers match.
Mistake on my part....I just wish Toyota put a dang metal placard on the carrier for identification purposes.

3) We need to put together a better list at some point for people swapping diffs/gears. I know there are threads/pages out there but they are all missing some info somewhere. It would be great for us to take all of those pages and put together 1 solid thread that is 100% complete/correct. I had to find out the hard way.

Sorry, I just had to get this off my chest. Seems that I am a magnet for bad luck lately. A little upset with the situation as not only do I need to find 2 bearings , but to also find another diff by Friday for a reasonable price. I already spend $220 for the diff that won't fit, + $280 for all the new bearings, seals, crush sleeve, etc.... and not to mention shop supplies and 4+ hours labor, and now I have to spend more on the 2 bearings that got damaged just to return the thing.

Not asking for anything here guys if that is what it sounds like. i just want to make everyone aware that they need to double, triple, and quadruple check the diff before you buy it to make sure it matches. I was too complacent with the purchase.

Pics below.

 

It's likely a 7.5 third member while yours is an 8.4

 

Define 7.5 please

I measured the ring gear and it sits over 8"

Am I missing something?

 

5 lug 2wd trucks use what is called a 7.5" rear differential instead of the standard 8.4" (misnomer) differential that is in 2wd 6 lug and 4wd Tacomas that do not have the factory e locker.


As far as identification I don't know but it should give you something to research. the A in the axle code usually denotes the 7.5 vs B for the 8.4.

 

Why is it called 7.5 if it is over 8" ring gear? 8.25" to be exact.

 

How many studs hold the third from your truck to the axle vs the one you got from the JY?

Your pictures look like the 7.5" third sold here






http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/tech/toyota-differential-identification-18588.html

 

From this site: https://www.lcengineering.com/LCTechPages/DIFFERENTIALTOYOTATECH.html

I quote:

"All 2wd and 4wd T100's, '00-06 Tundra's, and ?? Sequoia's use a newer/stronger 8" 2-pinion diff. Tacoma4x4's and TacomaPreRunner's that don't come with the electric locker (aka "non-TRD), as well as V6 Tacoma 4x2's also came with this diff.
This diff commonly and mistakenly called an 8.4" or 8.25" diff, possibly to imply its extra strength. The ring gear actually measures 8". The extra strength of this diff comes from the bearing cap/truss and large diameter pinion gear shaft.

 

Maybe it is a standard 8" from a non Tacoma? It will have 10 ring gear bolts if so, the 8.4 has 12

 

I will need to look. The one sold also says quote "Fits: 86-95 2wd Toyota Pick-up"

Looking back at the VIN number provided, I looked up the inner pinion bearing again.

The OEM Part number the VIN on the invoice calls for is 9036635023 which is KOYO TR0708-1YR
http://bearingsize.info/catalogue-o...bearing-hi-cap-tr0708-1yr-koyo-obj113424.html


The Part number I pulled out of the carrier I bought is a KOYO TR070803C-N
http://bearingsize.info/catalogue-o...ings/bearing-hc-tr070803c-koyo-obj113422.html

Look at the size difference between the 2 in the links I provided

This means that the carrier the guy sold me advertised as a 1996 Tacoma 3.58 is actually a 3.58 that is a 8" pickup as you mentioned. He sold me the wrong thing..........Jesus.

Dude this is just getting better and better.

 

Only 2.4l 5lugs had a 7.5
3.4L had a 8.4

 

Wow huge giveaway.....Look at the invoice again. Sold me a 3.58 for a 1996 tacoma 2RZ...... NOT A V6. The diff I got had V6 written on it in yellow. And he stated it was out of a V6. I didn't think to double check the invoice. It clearly states 2RZ.

Then the line on the bottom where it says charged $0 says 3RZ 3.58 which he had in stock. BUT the problem is I just typed in the VIN for that line and it is a Diff Lock carrier. So neither of these will work anyway.

3 problems here:

1) He told me it was from a V6 3.58 Taco
2) He sold me on the invoice a 2RZ 3.58 Differential
3) What I ACTUALLY got was a pre-Taco 8" Diff at 3.58. That's probably why it said V6 on it. Pre-Taco V6 Diff

How does this go so wrong so fast?

 

1. Some pre taco had a v6 but 7.5 axel I believe
2. They fucked up
3.yeah you need a 8.4” not 8”. Best return it

 

Wish I had the foresight to see that it wouldn't work. Now I have to dish out cash to get 2 new bearings that got damaged so I can put it back together.

EDIT: looking at the invoice it says NO Returns. Only exchanges pretty much.

 

Sorry I skipped through the thread. Where did you buy this from?
And why did you need a new diff?

 

I say you talk to him. If they’re any type of reputable seller, they’ll work with you. I wouldn’t go through the trouble of rebuilding it to the condition you got it.

 

My diff pops/clicks loud when turning. Vibration when driving. Pretty sure I broke a tooth or 2. Bought this one to rebuild and replace the one that's bad. Took it apart to realize it's the wrong diff to return it I have to return it in the same condition I got it AKA together and rotating. Problem is 2 bearings got damaged during removal. So I have to get 2 new bearings to return it. Looks like they dont accept returns only exchanges no exceptions. Only place that had it available on car-part.com in my area. Brooks Auto Salvage in GA. Yes it has shit reviews.

 

Damn are you doing ok? You're posting rational stuff again

 

Should of Just ordered the parts off ECGS or bought one off them and send your old one back in as the core

 

I deleted the gym, hit the lawyer, and facebook’d up.

 

I like to do the work myself. Plus They charge an arm and a leg for everything. Cheaper for me to find a used diff and rebuild it myself. 3 week turnaround is also a bit much and the initial 1150 fee until they get their core back is a bit much. Even then they take out the shipping charge out of the core fee. I assume for an item like that it would be at leas $150 to ship. So I would be in it for $900 after they receive the core and after waiting for 3+ weeks. Not worth it IMO