Differential

So I bought a 2011 tacoma and my rear differential went out it’s an open differential with spiders and I can’t find the right size differential of any kind to replace it I was told to measure the ring gear so I did and it measured 8” exactly so I tried to order one and I had no luck finding one for that year and I was informed by a friend that they may sell the part as an 8.4 aftermarket parts any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

How many bolts does it have? Can you post a couple photos?

 

10 bolts on the third member and 12 on the ring gear I will post pictures

 

Y

 

Unless you have an E-locker it would be an 8.4 rear diff. Anything post 2009-2015, without an E-locker would work just need to confirm or switch ring gear before install.

This one is a little confusing but this material should help clarify

http://old.lcengineering.com/LCTechPages/DIFFERENTIALTOYOTATECH.html

 

When you say went out what do you mean exactly?

 

My spiders busted

 

Why not just rebuild what you have?

 

It is probably just easier to pickup a third member for $100 bucks then rebuild a fractured setup.

 

It’s because the 8.4” is actually and 8” ring gear.
The E-locker trucks are referred to as 8” gears.
Everything else is an 8.4” (even though it’s technically not)

 

The bearing cap girdle is a dead giveaway you have an 8.4”, not dimensionally speaking but by what it’s referred to as. They are plentiful just get one from the junk yard and run it.

 

I don’t know how I missed that.
An argument can be made that the 8.4 is stronger.
But they both can break under the right circumstances.

I don’t feel the E-Locker is weak. It’s just “not as strong”.
And yes, I have an e-locker. And I’m not afraid to say my truck is weak……

 

If it's just the spider gears that are jacked why not just throw in a Loc-Rite? Those are relatively cheap. It's been a long time since I installed one, but from what I remember it just replaces the spider gears.