differential swap

Hey not sure where to post this so I guess I will start here. I have a 98 v6 manual with an open 4.58 diff Tacoma and I was curious to see if I bought a 3.15 lsd out of an xrunner would I be able to swap the diff right it or would I have to do the whole drum to drum axle portion swap or are they not compatible and I wouldn't be able to do anything of that sort? Thanks for any help

 

I am certainly not an expert on this, but more information would be helpful. Is your '98 a prerunner, 5-lug, 4x4, etc? Do you mean you have an adjusted final drive ratio of 4.58:1, or possibly that your rear diff gear ratio is 4.56?

The rear 3rd member is the same for 2nd gen and 1st gen 4x4 except for the driveshaft mounting flange, which has a slightly larger bolt pattern for the 2nd gen. You could take the flange off your old diff and put it on the new one if desired though. I'm guessing the diff on an xrunner is the same.

Why do you want 3.15 gears?

 

I lied, mine is 4.56 and sorry completely forgot to mention that it's a 4x4 and I mostly want the 3.15 because it's an lsd and I'm open diff. I'm very new to Tacoma life and what not so thank you for any help

 

Generally speaking, a higher gear ratio is desirable for off-roading, larger tires, etc. Most people who run 33 inch tires re-gear to 4.56 (myself included). My advice would be to keep the gear ratios you have, and look into adding a locking mechanism to your rear carrier (arb air locker, detroit locker, lock-rite, etc).

Also, if you're a 4x4, you will have to regear the front and rear diffs (gear ratios have to be the same). If you put a 3.15 diff from an xrunner in your truck, but keep the front diff at 4.56, you'll never be able to use 4 wheel drive.

 

Damn, thanks for the help man! I think ill just keep my setup

 

Yeah 3.15 would be a real dog.