Help quick! TRD pre runner vs TRD 4x4 axel assembly’s

I am getting ready to purchase an axel assembly out of a 2nd Gen 2015 pre runner TRD OR with an axel code A04B which is 8” ring gear, 3.73 gear ratio, e-locker, to put in my 2008 Tacoma TRD OR with the same A04B axel code. I don’t see Toyota making specific rear ends that are mechanically or physically different between these two models to save money?? Thought I’d check with some TRD brothers and sisters before buying. Google AI is saying the 4x4 assemblys are more robust but I don’t trust AI. Are they the same??? Thank you!

 

AFAIK they are the same, but I'd wait for someone with more knowledge/confidence to chime in before you go running with that input...

 

Pretty sure they're the same.

 

Oh, and my truck is a 4x4. I called Toyota to ask about this and they sent me to the parts guy. He took down my and the doner truck’s vins and looked up the carrier/3rd and he said the part number is different and he’s not sure what the difference is? He said they’re the same from 2005-10. So I went on Toyota parts look up and looked up the carrier/3rd for my 2008 and then changed the year to 2015 and it says it won’t fit?? So I looked up the housing and it is the same across all years, I’m stupefied. The carrier/3rd for the access cab 6spd w limited slip and locking diff is compatible across 08-15. I have the A/T double cab. I thought that the e-locker was specific to the A04B axel code but I walked to my neighbors and checked his 2011 trd OR 4x4 with e-locker and he has the A04C axel code and the diff lock button… I’m like WTFrick? How’s it have the limited slip w the e-locker but it most definitely does. By the way, all the parts I looked up on Toyota said compatibility was same for 4x4 and Prerunner across the board until I changed the year to 2015. Do the 2011-2015’s have limited slip with e-locker and is that the difference? If so then that would be an upgrade for me right? That might be beside the point because the doner truck 2015 TRD OR PreRunner is a double cab short bed a/t with the exact same axel and transmission codes as my 2008 4x4 TRD OR dc sb A04B/A750E. I think they’re the same?

 

IIRC in 08 or 09 they went from mechanical limited slip to traction control LSD, which is probably the axle code change.

I could be wrong, I never stayed at holiday inn.

 

There is no E-Locker rear axle that has limited slip that I know of.
As far as I'm aware the only models that had limited slip was the 05-08 TRD Sport.
All models 09+ had simulated limited slip (Auto LSD) that used the ABS system to apply the brake at the slipping wheel.

 

Does anybody know FS? is a 2008 trd OR 4wd rear axel assembly the same as a 2015 trd OR pre-runner axel assembly?? Both have e-lockers and the exact same axel and transmission codes of A04B/A750E.Thanks

 

@HappyGilmore - I see you have a bad ass 2013! For some reason the 3rd member OEM part number changes between 2012 and 2013… do you know of any differences?

 

@Dm93 - my neighbors 2011 has the A04C axel code and according to all the research I’ve done the “C” stands for LSD. His truck also has the magic e-locker button. My truck has the A04B A=8”, 04=3.73gr, B=e-locker according to the axel code chart that goes around. I’m in the middle of reading a thread talking about the same discrepancy. If the charts wrong then I’m really gonna be confused lol

 

Something weird there, I'm almost positive there is no E-Locker axle with limited slip.
Maybe @Jeff Lange can clear things up.

 

@Dm93 You are right! -it was Jeff’s thread I just got done reading and apparently he found that the axel codes are indeed wrong for some reason. That means there’s a lot of A04C’s out there with the e-lockers that would fit my truck! The auto dismantlers wouldn’t know that though as they go off the axel codes. I wonder how many people have bought A04C’s thinking it’s the LSD and gotten an E-locker instead? Not cool

 

@Jeff Lange - I would be super grateful if you took a look at this thread as you have such great knowledge on this. To be short, I’m buying a used complete rear axel assembly. My truck is a 2008 4x4 TRD OR SCSB A/T with A04B/A750E codes and the doner truck is a 2015 2wd TRD OR SCSB A/T PreRunner with the same A04B/A750E codes. Both trucks have the RRDiff loc button. Please tell me the rear axel assemblys are the same? Thank you- Steven

 

Nobody knows??? Dang it, they’re pulling the part now. Didn’t want to find out the hard way

 

There are no dimensional or functional differences that I know of between any of the TRD OR rear axles from 05-15, they are all 3.73 gear ratio and have the E-Locker with no limited slip.

 

@Dm93 - Thank ya Sir! Appreciate ya! That gives me peace of mind. The thing that threw me off is that the OEM 3rd members part number changes between 2013-15? I don’t know why and neither does Toyota? But they said something must be different?? I was hoping someone would chime in who has swapped in one from a 2015. The first axel assembly I bought from LKQ and installed already was hashed axels all bent… I had to get video of it and go through the warranty process and they couldn’t find one for over a month now. So I got on their website and bam there are 3 trd OR pre runners available w lockers at yard nearest to me. 2 of the trucks were slammed and smashed hard in the rear but the 2015 didn’t have a ding from the doors back so I said “I want that one!”. They said “the compatibility doesn’t match”, I said “I’ve done my homework and they’re the same…” so that’s what I’m getting. Same axel and trans code as my truck, I can see the rr diff loc button. It’s gotta be the same. I hope

 

Could the "c" code be for the computer controlled LSD?

 

I can't tell you why part numbers changed but AFAIK nothing changed with them so it should be the same as long as the owner didn't do any gear/axle swaps and such.

 

Possibly but that was standard starting in 09 I believe.

 

Follow up- I just installed the 2015 Pre-runner TRD OR axel assembly in my ‘08 4x4 TRD OR and everything is working perfectly e-locker and all! There was only one visible difference between the parts and that is an additional ear welded to the ‘15 axel housing to protect the breather. Thanks you all for the help and support. After 3.5 months and two installs I am so stoked to have my baby back on the road!