4.30 gears using OEM parts from different generations

TLDR: short version is I'm going to put OEM 4.30 gears into my 2nd gen off-road Tacoma. Using a 3rd gen Tacoma front clamshell and the pumpkin from a 3rd gen limited t4r. Should be straight forward plug and play drop in.

Ok so as some of you may be well aware, Toyota uses the same parts across multiple platforms but features or options on those parts a only available to certain models. Like gear ratios.

The 3rd gen Tacoma configured in 6spd manual v6 4x4 comes with 4.30 gearing. The front diff uses the same r&p as the 2nd gen Tacoma. That would lead one to assume the clamshell is the same and bolts into place.

Next the 3rd gen t4r, limited models only, and some 1st Gen 4cyl O/R Tacomas came with factory elocker and 4.30 gearing. Also the fj cruiser uses the same axle and elocker. The elockers in the t4r, fjc and the 1st/2nd gen Tacomas are the same regardless if they are 3.73/3.91/4.10/4.30. The axle housings are all the same but the t4r is setup for coils/links vs the Tacomas with leafs.

I've sourced and ordered the front and rear clam and pumpkin and should have them infront of me next week. Stay tuned.


Top pic is the elocker 3rd from a 99 t4r. 2nd pic is front clam from a 2018 Tacoma.



@DesertRatliff

 

you going to 4wp today? if yes what time?

 

I'm meeting a guy in Monroe to pick up some milwaukee tools and then headed to lynnhood, after. Should be there around 1:30ish?

 

Following

 

Front diff will be waiting for me when I get home.



I think I'm more excited about it than the rear. The rear I know will swap no problem. I'm more interested to see if there are any differences between 2nd and 3rd gen front diffs that may not be immediately obvious via pictures.

Damn you day light savings!!! I'd be one hour closer to getting my hands on it if not for falling an hour back!

 

I did the same but with 4.10 gears... front clamshell was from a 4cyl second gen, rear e locker was from 1st gen, both 4.10 from factory and have been great for ~30k miles... was alot cheaper then regearing the typical way.

 

This was essentially the whole reason to go this route personally. That and if one grenades a junkyard will be an easy source not having to wait a week or more for a replacement.

 

what auto dismantler do you use?

 

I had the front shipped from Fenix auto recyclers, on the east coast, North Carolina to be exact. They have something like 25 locations. The rear I bought from a guy in Oklahoma. I had called a few wreckers down in the Kent/Auburn area and a few up by you in Everett and found 3 locally but I didn't want to dry up any local sources especially for the t4r rear. I should just buy and sit on them for if or when the time comes. Those aren't made anymore so OEM will get harder to find. The 4.30 front clamshell should be viable for some time as long as Toyota keeps putting them in 6spd 4x4 3rd gens.

 

so if its a factory set of gears could someone go to the stealership, buy them, and put them in a 2nd gen?

 

The fronts yes, you can buy the 3rd gen complete clamshell with whatever ratio is available. The older 4.30 elocker I'm not sure if they still stock the 8" R&P. If they do you can use the OEM part number and get it directly from Toyota that way. But it's probably going to be more expensive than if you just regeared through ECGS or whoever.

 

I bet the FedEx guy was glad to get this off his truck. I could smell the gear oil when I walked up to my front porch.

 

oooh. a ripe one. need a needle bearing ecgs kit? i have one.

 

I might. Probably would be a good idea while it's out. I didn't even think about it until you just mentioned it.

 

Getting closer. Just need to get my garage squared away and then the truck goes in for tear down.

 

Getting this ball rolling. Continued here.