axle gear ratio

So my rear axle on my tacoma is bent from an accident i had and the thing is,the trd axle is super hard to find and expensive.Is it possible that i can switch a 1996 axle to my 2002? Would the gear ratio matter? Cause its rwd

 

Nope won't matter.

 

"not mattering" is a matter of perspective.

Assuming you're talking about a 4x4 axle, it should bolt up just fine, however having a non-stock gear ratio can have a dramatic effect on gas mileage, among other issues.

If at all possible check the door stickers of both vehicles and look for the axle ratio code, something like A03B. Link below to decode it and see what the ratio is.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-gear-ratio-chart.365138/

If you don't have access to the donor truck door sticker, you can also just count the # of turns on the input/output shafts to get the ratio as well. It doesn't hurt to confirm the door code by counting anyway, since it's always possible someone re-geared the donor truck, too.

Then, if it's off, I would consider regearing it, which can be done for a few hundred bucks.

You could always drive it around and if it doesn't drive the way you like, re-gear at a later date.

When doing the swap, get new U-bolts, and re-torque them after a couple hundred miles.

 

Since you're 2wd then the ratio doesn't matter. It will work, just make sure it's off a 5lug if 5 lug or 6 lug if 6 lug.

 

Thanks for the tips, i havent gotten to gear ratios in my high school mechanic class so it was a struggle to figure out if gear ratios really mattered on a vehicle (rwd in this case)

 

Depending on what all's damaged, you might be able to get a new housing and/or axle shafts and swap in your existing 3rd member. That will probably be cheaper than a full axle, but also probably more work.

When looking for an axle housing, keep in mind that the e-locker (aka 8.0") axle and the non-locking (aka 8.4") axle are different. You can't put an 8.0" 3rd into an 8.4" axle or vice versa.

There are also some differences in the brake configuration within 1st gen Tacomas.

8.4" axles come in ABS and non-ABS versions. All 8.0" axles are ABS-compatible, but some have the ABS sensors capped off (because the truck wasn't equipped with ABS). This is a capped ABS port:

This is a capped ABS port:

Depending on the year, some trucks have the parking brake routed above the leaf springs and others have it routed below the leaf springs. I'm not sure why it changed or if one is better than the other, but if you can, grab the parking brake linkages up to the adjustment bracket (which is under the truck, approximately under the driver's seat) to be sure you have anything you might need.