Which is better: swap 3rd member or install 3.73 ring and pinion set?

Hi,
I search for quite a bit, but 3rd member doesn't pop up too many relevant things given 3rd gen Tacoma are out now. I have a 3.31 gear in my 2014 5 lugger. I want to have 3.73 gears. What is the safer/simpler route: Swap a 3rd member from V6 Tacoma or buy and install 3.73 ring and pinion gear set? I would probably have a shop do it, unless swapping the 3rd member is just unbolt and bolt back on. I'm also curious to know if 3rd member swap is cheaper than having a ring and pinion swap for a shop to do?

I appreciate some input. Thanks!

Any good SoCal shops that will install gears or swap 3rd member? Appreciate a referral.

 

So you have a manual trans now, correct? 'Cause the auto is 3.58.

Setting your install q's aside for a moment, how did you arrive at that choice of gear ratio? Have you done planned tire change calculations or something, and working to keep your final ratio about the same?

If you aren't doing a larger tire, there really isn't much difference in the two for performance, but you will lower your hwy MPG.

If you are doing a larger tire, you may recover some performance and maintain the MPG.

On to your other questions. Assuming all the ancillary bits are the same (drive shaft length and couplings, axles, etc, a whole unit swap with a known good diff should be the least technical, thus cheapest.

An internal gear change of course is dependent on the gear set fitting the housing, but then having a skilled person set it up correctly.

In terms of referrals, go to some local cruise ins and find the hot rodders. Not the 'original' crowd, but the modified crowd. Especially ones with tubbed vehicles, lopey cams, blowers, etc. and start asking questions about differential shops. You'll learn who to use pretty quickly.

Many times a good diff shop will only do diffs, drive shafts, cut/re-spline axles, etc. You want one who folks trust for their quality; the go-to guys for drag racers.

 

Differential setup is somewhat of a lost art. A proper job will last as long as a factory set up diff and make zero noise. Finding someone that can really do the job correctly is going to take some searching like the poster above mentioned. I have the tools to do it myself and have for years after royally screwing up a R&P swap in an 86 4Runner I had 20 years ago. Used them for the first time last year when I rebuilt the diff in my now-sold BMW. It worked fine and was within spec but it made a little noise... Since it's a stock ratio a good used 3rd member would be a lot easier to deal with and honestly likely cheaper in the end too.

 

Hi Bill, Yes I have a manual transmission. The 3.31 gears is a dog for the little 2.7L engine. I have stock 215/70/15... I was going to move up with lightweight wheels (20.5 lbs) and tires 235/55/18 (24 to 30 lb) range so it's close to factory weight. Stock tire is 26.85" and the new tires are 28.18" in diameter. I hope the gear change will give me a little more torque earlier and better MPG given the tire diameter change. Not sure if that works out the way I want it. I do more city and freeway driving, but still don't want to lose too much freeway MPG with the gear change.

It sounds like what you are saying is the 3rd member swap will be technically easier so labor will be cheaper. The 3rd member cost more used than a new ring and pinion, so the total install cost will be about the same, but 3rd member will pose less problems potentially if I find a 3rd member in decent condition?

Would either of you have issues with a 3rd member that has more than 100K miles on it? I see salvage yards have newer 3rd members but they are in the $300 to $400 range. So it'll be another $200 to install? A new ring and pinion is $200. No clue on labor charges...but it would more I assume...and end up being close to $500 to $600 in the end?

There's one or two differential shops in Orange County...I guess I will ask them too. Just wanted to see how many 3.31 gear to 3.73 gear swap and if it was worth it. I know one that did, but he said he's get 18 MPG on the freeway and 23 in the city. It's a bit surprising to me given his tires are 28.61" (245/55/18).

One last thing for both...I'll probably do the LCE headers first. Maybe that will be enough...another option is to use a 3.58 gear swap from 2.7L automatic diff.... but would that be enough to justify the gear swap? Wish I could drive both version 3.58" gears and 3.73 gears to know...but that's not possible..so hope someone who did the swap can comment too.
Thanks for the feedbacks!

 

Install 3rd member is easy
Drop driveshaft
Drain oil
Unbolt axle shafts
Unbolt then remove 3rd member