1998 2.7 4wd rear differential clicking

Please help: I bought my beater taco to drive to school so my parents wouldn't have me drive an econobox. It had a clickkng noise in the diff that I was told was because it had to wrong oil. Stupidly I ignored it aND about 1k miles later it's gotten loud. Changed the oil and took it back out, same issue. There were a lot of fine shavings in the old oil. It's a base model with a 3rz and manual trans. 228k on the clock, I put 85w140 diff oil in. It's a clicking noise that is almost non stop. not sure what to do or even how to figure out which differential it has.

 

Not sure about the clicking sound, but I thought all first gen 4x4's took 75w90 oil? I know mine does.

 

Thats what the manual said, 75w90, but it's got 228k on the clock so it was recomended to put a heavier weight in it. multiple mechanics told me to just run it till it goe's out totally and/or find a junkyard part. I can't find a junkyard with the exact differential but the 4 runners have a stronger one, will that have the same ratio as mine?

 

I have posted this chart a few times I got from a fellow member who posted it first. Compare your code on the inside of your driver's side door jamb to this chart and hopefully it will tell you everything you need to know. It also sounds like the PO didn't tell the whole truth if it was clicking beforehand since the wrong oil won't do that right away. The wrong oil must've been in there for awhile. Good luck! Here ya go.

 

Sounds like you were lied to by the seller. You may need a new diff. Possible broken tooth in the ring gear or pinion gear.

Look at the tag in the door sill. It will tell you what axle code you have. Perhaps a B02A or B03A.

 

That chart is a good way to find out your gear ratio and what all youve got. But some.get confused when looking to get replacement parts. Typically the 8" will be referred to as an 8.4" (which is the open diff)and the rear end with the oem e-locker will be listed as an 8". So keep that in mind so ya dont get all confused and think there are a bunch of different sizes of rear ends....

 

Thank's so much! Tacos never end up in the local junk yard but a 95 came in a fee days ago so I'm gonna check it out and see about pulling the whole hogs head off