What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Ready to be bolted up!

 

Is it a wedge of cheese?

 

a black wedge of cheese!!

RAT diff diaper

 

Not trying to start anything but is a diff diaper really worth having? I mean I know I have beat on my diff on a couple occasions but I also know it's a pretty solid amount of metal on the bottom/front and that the only thin part is in the rear (which is why I want to weld on a marlin crawler guard there), just curious if people think it's essential or not really?

 

I agree that there's some thick metal there. But I'd rather be safe than sorry and gouge a skid instead.

 

I've thought about the same thing, it makes it so the diff can take a massive hit but also takes away a little of the clearance making it more likely to get hit

 

I asked a fellow member (very knowledgeable guy) on here this same question and his response:

As for the diff skid. I won't argue that there are benefits to protecting the diff. The bottom of the diff is actually pretty stout and rarely gets damaged to a point that it causes issues. They definitely get dragged on the rocks a lot but they hold up pretty well unless your seriously pounding through the rocks. Even then the part that can get damaged is the mating surface where the diff housing attaches to the axle housing. That can sometimes get damaged and develop leaks. But personally I don't this it's that common. The area most prone to damage is the rear cover of the diff. The metal is not as thick as the rest of the axle housing or the cast housing for the diff and it can dent if you back into a rock with some force. So protecting that area can be a good move. Lots of people weld extra plate to that rear cover. The diff diaper will offer some protection of the rear cover too but most of the protection from the diaper is or the bottom of the housing which is one of the stronger areas. The othe drawback to the diaper is a reduction in clearance. It's not a big deal but it is a fact. You can pick and chose what is more important to you. No right or wrong answer IMO.



I have to say, $400 is a lot for a small piece of metal.. But when you get a GREAT deal on it, you just cant pass it up

Its better to have and not need, than to need and not have...Isn't that a popular saying in the off-roading world?? lol

 

I feel the same way about the LCA skids...are they really necessary? I don't think so, but if I got a good deal on them, I would probably buy them.....cuz mall crawler

 

I think for me the real worry is the pumkin... I've seen them punctured or bent into the gears from rolling back onto a rock ... not always an easy trail fix... I'd rather spend the $400 than trying to repair a dented/punctured diff... $.02

 

Years ago, on the Rubicon, I remember a toyota in our group, that lost all of its diff oil, because of rocks continously scraping the bottom of the diff, eventually took off the drain plug !! I gave him my spare plug, and what little gear oil I had, so it wasn't a show-stopper.

Also, rocks can deform the drain plug, making it impossible to remove with the usual wrench.

The 'diff diaper' would help prevent this type of thing, for serious rock-crawlers, especially if you didn't run 35" tires. For a while, I had one on the front of my '84 4runner, and everytime it hit a rock, it would loosen up and rattle. Kind of annoying.

 

Real life experience^ Thanks for the input Rick!

I could see how you lose some clearance....but with the skid, I would feel more comfortable sliding over a rock if I do hit one. no?

 

Anyone have any experience with this company? Id much rather get an oem speed sensor but when the price is 6 times as much its tempting to get this one.

 

Yeah I feel the same on those as well. I doubt I will ever get either but I love hearing opinions. I plan on doing this for my rear diff:

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/marlin-crawler-toyota-full-face-differential-armor.html

Should cover the risk of deforming plugs and protecting the rear. For $60 it seems worth it.

 

I love mine. I drag it over everything. It mostly just saves the drain plug though.

 

I've seen somewhere where people replace the diff plugs with another Toyota one so it doesn't protrude as much

 

I like that, especially for the price

I most likely would have gone with that had Ryan not hooked me up (cant thank you enough Ryan ). This 1/4 inch of steel should protect me from rocks and stuff

 

This^ hahha yes

 

you never fail to deliver Jason! haha, 10 fucks, haha