Cheap regear…Compatible diffs across generations?

So I stumbled across a YouTube video of someone who pulled the diffs from a 2.7L tacoma and put in his 3.4L, changing his gearing to 4.30. After doing some research I found Toyota used as low as 4.56 in various 4cyl 4wd trucks and 4Runners from the late 80s until 2004. I know for sure the 3rd gen runners are compatible but here’s the real question:

Are all 7.5” ifs diffs compatible with 1st gen tacomas? (I know elocker rears are different from non-locker). Early 90s 4.56 diffs are relatively cheap and easy to find.

 

Apparently I cannot spell and cannot edit the thread name…. I guess I look silly

 

Toyota have two 7.5 clamshell. A standard/low pinion and a high pinion. 86-95 are standard/low pinion. 95.5-04 are high pinion, same as first gen tundra and 3rd gen 4R.

With that being said, no you can't run a standard pinion clamshell in a tacoma. This includes the standard/low pinion gear ratio. Tacoma front clamshell are high pinion.

 

3rd Gen 4Runners are offered in 4.30 gearing; Limited V6 with rear locker however if it doesn't have the locker it'll be 4.10 which is commonly found on 1st Gen Tacomas.

Also, all 3rd Gen 4Runner rears are 8" whereas 1st Gen Tacoma open diff are 8.4" and locked are 8"

Front are the same for 1st Gen Tacomas and 3rd Gen 4Runners.

 

This ^

Also to add on, if you get a full front diff assembly, you may have to swap the outer tube depending if yours is ADD or manual locking hubs. Either way, the entire front clamshell is swappable, but direct compatibility will depend on your current/new setup

 

Forgot to mention that part for the OP as all 3rd Gen 4Runners are ADD, so thanks!

As you stated, manual hubs or ADD were the options offered on 1st Gen Tacomas.

And if going full replacement, also need to consider the difference between vacuum actuated (95.5-00) and electronically actuated (01-04).

 

And yes, you can edit your own thread (including title) at any time.

 

that’s what I was trying to figure out, I assumed there was some difference between the diffs across generations.

I know some 2.7 tacos had the 4.30 gears, but that seemed more random and harder to find.

right now I have a non-locker 3.4 with the 4.10, just seeing if there was a cheap diff swap that was a bolt in.

 

Viola, learned two things in one thread, it’s gonna be a good day!