TFKGarage (Beers and Gears)

Brian is the best. Awesome guy. Can’t recommend him more highly.

 

Big thanks to Brian for getting my gears done. Finishing the final heat cycle right now and then it is just the 500 miles to go. Hurray for 4.88s

 

subbed. gonna need mine done before next summer.

 

Hey Brian, What do you recommend for Gear brand & front locker?

 

Nitro is the "go to" for me.

Front Locker? never heard of her. Though, everyone and their bother runs ARB as the selectable option. I've only done one Eaton. Never had any seat time in that to test the locker function.

 

Brian, bringing this over from our text message so others can get visibility when they are looking at gear packages. Hopefully it will help them not have to ask as many questions. Or at least you won't have to answer as many of the same questions over and over

Reference Vehicle: 2009 Tacoma OR with OEM e-locker

Here's a link to the gear package I ordered: https://www.nitro-gear.com/Toyota-8-Gear-Package-p/gpfjcruiser-select-2.htm
Specific part number for package with 4.56 gears: GPFJCRUISER-4.56-2

Kit includes:

• Nitro front ring & pinion
• Nitro front Master Install Kit
• Nitro rear ring & pinion
• Nitro rear Master Install Kit
• Front solid pre-load spacer
• Rear solid pre-load spacer

You asked me if it comes with solid spacers and I wasn't sure. It looks like according to the above from Nitro's site it does indeed come with the solid pre-load spacers.

My current diff already has the ECGS bushing in it. Do you recommend installing one on the passenger side as well or just leave it as is?

Let me know if there is anything else I need to add to the parts list, beside gear oil of course.

For those that are curious, I chose to go with 4.56 since I have no plans to go up from 33's.

 

The ECGS bushing wouldn't really help on the ADD side of the differential. Should only ever be on the drivers side. I'm thinking about requiring them on all open differential builds I do just to save issues in the future.

I think the solid spacer is a great addition to any diff build. They can make pinion seal replacement a breeze because the preload will not changed when torqued correctly.

 

The Harrop you set up for me is great. Only real draw back is $$$.

 

You've had some time on it, how do you feel about the forward to reverse switch causing the locker to disengage? Notice it at all?

 

I honestly don’t feel it disengage often and I don’t think it does if there’s some bind via steering or traction. I’m almost always trying to square up or change lines if I am going forward reverse forward so steering while changing directions it doesn’t seem to unlock.

I am also pretty easy on the skinny pedal so maybe it’s more noticeable if your a masher.

 

@thefatkid lemme know when you want me to drop these off so I can get in the queue

 

I think I am heading down in that area Saturday

 

Just got the truck back today with the new 4.56 gears, sooooo much mo betta! It's nice to let the transmission just do the work again rather than downshifting for hills.
Also can't believe how loud those rear axle bearings were it is so quiet compared to before that I now only hear the tire noise.

Thanks again Brian!

 

I need my rear third refreshed. pinion bearing is going south.
i can bring just the third, when can i? also what should i order master rebuild kit? or wait to see whats wrong?

 

8.4" don't typically see pinion bearing failures. Are you having a noise from the rear end? As far as a build kit, would be up to you. To save down time a full kit with ARB seals and bulkhead would be nice. Or we could piece out what has failed.

Are you on stock gears?

 

Ya was a humming at about 65-70. It's been getting worse, now it makes noise at lower speeds when power is applied. A shop said pinion gear, but I'm open to anything.
It's got 4.56 gears.

 

I'd like to drive this and diagnose it 1st. This generation is bad for noise transfer, where a bad wheel bearing can transmit noise towards the center of the axle sounding like a diff. My lift is currently taken up. We could try for next weekend, not 100% yet though.

 

well i'm in the middle of an engine swap so its not going to be driveable for a few weeks. sending out the super charger for a rebuild. a few week turnaround. i was wanting to pull the third while its on the lift waiting for other parts.
I have no prob with getting the third rebuilt, i can bring the axles and we can do wheel bearings too while its apart. if you offer that service also.

 

Brian,
I'm totally interested in a regear for my 2018 Tacoma with 5.29 and a front ARB, I'm in Littleton CO and can drop off my 3rd member and clamshell, just need to know what you need from me and your availability, I'm very flexible. I also sent you a PM. Thanks so much.​

 

I was under the impression that Brian mostly worked for cash but maybe he's broadened his definition of acceptable payment?