I cannot tell what my replacement diff is

Just bought a replacement rear axle after the previous ones diff broke. Can anyone tell me the best way to tell if this is the lsd or not thanks

 

Post a photo.

 

Keeps life interesting. Buy the parts first. Then figure out if it's what you actually need.

 

pull said diff and look ?

 

Looks rusty as hell

 

Looks like that’s a photo of the differential you should be replacing.....

 

You know the axle isn't going to be LSD? It's the 3rd member (dif).

 

That chit'll buff out.

 

The easiest way to tell if you have an open differential is to jack up the car and spin one of the rear axles. If the other axle spins in the opposite direction, you have an open differential. If it spins in the same direction, you have a limited slip differential, or LSD.

 

Generally true but not always the case.

 

always be skeptic of pulled rear diffs in that sorta condition

 

When would it not be true? Be specific please.

 

A clutch pack style LSD or viscous coupler LSD will work like an open diff until the clutch packs or fluid chamber see enough heat to cause the two axles to turn together, also an open diff may turn both axles together when spun by hand if the spider gears are jammed with rust particulate or gummy old gear oil.

As I said generally true with a torsen or helical style LSD.

Then you've got your one way and two way LSD's spring types and whatever else.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying the only fool proof way to be 100% is to pull the third and eyeball it.

Given the condition of the diff and housing here in question I'd suggest strongly to pull it and inspect regardless.

 

I'll agree that we disagree about most of those points.

I do agree the best and surest way is to open it up and look. A damaged differential could give you misleading indications by just spinning a wheel.

 

Ok thanks for the info we decided here we would pull it so we could sand and repaint anyway and just mount it on our original axle. The reason we looked after we bought it, is the fact that if it isn't lsd it will still work on truck, it's just not the favorable option to have an open diff.

 

Now would be the time to throw a detroit locker at it or a ratio change ?

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

Axle code identification https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2005-2016-tacoma-axle-codes.408019/

 

assuming this going on a 4x4, am i the only one wondering if the gear ratios will be the same.

 

Yes it is going on a 4x4 and yes the ratio is the same as my busted up LSD 3.73