new here. just bought an 02 with a bad front diff. questions.

i just bought an 02 regular cab with a busted front differential. it needs replaced completely. i plan to put a 2 or 3" suspension lift and bigger tires on it some point in the not so distant future and make it fun truck, but nothing crazy cuz i still have to drive the damn thing every day.

question is, knowing that i need to replace the front diff, should i go ahead and go with a locking diff, or just get a toyota one from a salvage yard, or get a rebuilt one. if u have a suggestion feel free to post links if u know of a good spot for this kind of thing.

i got the truck for $4700. it has 163,000 miles. maybe not a smoking deal but i felt like it was reasonable. 1st gen regular cab manual transmissions are hard to come by it seems! btw this is my 4th toyota truck. i've had 2 tundras and this makes my second tacoma. i'm not a very mechanically inclined person unfortunately, but my dad will be helping me swap the diff thank god.

 

If it were mine I would look at the bone yard option first trying to locate a diff,( with the right gear ratio ) with a warranty meaning it's useable, once that was accomplished I would remove the diff in the truck and see what it would take to rebuild it, if repairable at least you would know what you have. Either way sound like to me you have to drop the whole diff out to make repairs, good time once its out to look for oil leaks that can be repaired.

 

i understand that the gear ratio should be stamped on the diff somewhere. is this right? if so, do i have to take it off to find the stamp or should i be able to see it just by getting under there and cleaning it up really well?

as far as the gear ratio, to find the proper one, would it have to come off another 4cyl manual? i'm assuming one off a V6 wouldnt work. but not sure about one off a 4cyl automatic.

 

nope sticks and autos get diffrent ratios. get one from a 4cyl 5 speed or it wont match.

 

alright cool, i'll start calling around to salvage yards tomorrow.

 

The stick in the drivers side door jam will have a 4 digit differential code that will tell what you truck came stock with.

You have find this link helpful.

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

 

if u put a aftermarket diff in on the front then you need to replace the rear also. unless you get the same diff size. the front and back have to match if they dont your goin to tear alot up.

 

Check out TAP for a used diff. I had to replace the front diff on my 94 Toyota. It was 250 bucks shipped from CA to MO. The diff was in great shape. I just bolted it up and changed the fluid.

They used to just handle Toyota stuff, but have expanded since I got my diff from them.
http://www.fresno-taprecycling.com/

 

thanks ya'll! i'm still working on gettin my axle code. its parked at my dad's place right now cuz that's where the shop and tools are. if it has 4:10 gears i actually found a front diff to buy from a member here

 

Mines an ext cab with the 3.4 5spd and i have 4:10s so id say yours are probably 4:56...(i think thats what came in the 4 cyl) Look up your axle code and it should tell you.

 

Least expensive option: Source an OEM replacement from a junkyard. Failing that, have yours rebuilt.

 

according to my axle code i have 3:9 gears so the diff i found on here won't work.

gonna check out the link brs127s posted and see if they have what i need. i don't have the free time right now to be going around from salvage yard to salvage yard if i can keep from it.

 

so i called TAP and they offered me one out of a Tundra that has 3:9 gears for $425.

would the differential out of a tundra even work? i cant imagine they would put the same diff on a V8 as the would a 4cyl

 

ECGS, get a new one with an ARB locker in it. Its like 1450 if you send your diff back to them. Mind as well re-gear if you do plan on getting bigger tires.

 

called the dealership and had them search for the part by the VIN. they said it could either be a 3.91 or a 4:30 and they have no way of knowing which it is without looking at the truck themselves.

the parts guy told me to search the differential itself to see if i could find these numbers stamped on it- 43:10 or 43:11. supposedly 43:10 = 4:10, and 43:11 = 3:91.

i'm only posting this info incase anyone else is in my shoes in the future and stumbles across this thread. it might be helpful.

also my axle code is BO7A. i will post my gear ratio when i find out FOR SURE so that hopefully it can help others figure theirs out in the future.

 

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/wiki/index.php/Gear_Codes
according to that you have 4.30

 

Yup! Last Thursday I jacked the rear end up and did it the old fashioned way by spinning the wheel and counting the driveshaft revolutions. It's definitely 4:30

 

cool well at least you know what you need for sure good luck