Simple question - buying a 3rd member

Hey all - first off, I searched but I must be retarded because I couldn't find an answer...

Anyway, I found on craigslist a used 3rd member out of a TRD Sport for sale with 31k miles local. My questions are:
1. Is $300 to much for it? Whats a good price?
2. Do 3rd members come with all the gears, or not?
3. Is it easy enough to change out? Plug and play-ish? I am not super handy but have friends who are - that being said I don't have a week to leave my truck at a friend's house to get it installed if it takes forever.
4. Looking at a part out of the truck is there anyway to tell it's in good shape and functioning properly? Obviously you can look to see if there's ground teeth but is there anything else to look for?

For background, I have a 4cyl prerunner with the 4.10 rear. I'd like to have limited slip for pulling the boat out of the water, I don't off road in my 2wd so a locker really isn't needed. Also, I feel like 3.73s on it would be great for better gas mileage at highway speeds. I don't tow a lot far away and my truck's not too fast anyway so the 4.10s are a bit overkill for me (I think).

Any help would be appreciated...

 

Anyone, anyone? Bueler?

 

i dunno about price but rear third's are really easy to install. took me about an hour to do mine. just need to pull your rear axles out a few inches and then take all the bolts off the front and your driveline. pull it and stick the new one in its place. also i'm not sure but i thought the trd's usually had lockers so maybe check and see if the guy says its a limited slip or not.

 

1, $300 is good price if it is whole third member, and contains Limited slipp. Remeber only 05-08 sports have one
2. If it is whole third member then should have gears. But this is something you need to check when buying
3. 5-6 hours for two people to swap third
4. When you have third member in front of you check for slack in the gears. There should be almost none. Put toothpaste on the ring and rotate it to see the pattern. That will reveal if it is still up to the specs. Clutchpacks in limited slipp are different story. No way to check with out installing third in diff or removing clutchpacks out

 

okay cool just wasn't sure. thanks

 

The best advice I can give you is to call East Coast Gear Supply - not related to them, just an over-the-top satisfied customer. They will build a third for you with a 5 year no questions asked warranty. He has helped me and others after hours and I would do it all over again.

 

06dak if you do swap out the third member would you be willing to sell yours? i want 4.10 gears bad!