My rear differential blew out

Yeah bro you’re an absolute unicorn and are the hardest driving Tacoma owner on the planet, plus ECGS doesn’t know what’s going on.

 

@Naveronski - haha bout time somebody heard me! Thank you

 

The hard part is finding someone who's knowledgeable enough to do the install and setup properly. I once paid a shop to rebuild an axle and then paid another shop 500 miles later to redo it again.

 

few hundred in tools you can set it up yourself. but there are lots of shops who can setup gears. the toy 8" is easy

 

Pretty sure they use what's sold on their website, if they don't already list it in the drop down that lets you choose what parts you want? Or ask them?
For example, Yukon. All of those gear manufacturers are probably good, and potentially stronger than OEM.
ECGS is probably one of the best diff places in the world. And has I believe a lifetime warranty. Meaning if you blow your diff, they mail you another. If you blow that two more times, they upgrade you to their bulletproof unit.

I went with revolution because I heard it was the best. Install to build the diffs was around $375/ea labor.

Not sure what this means. Sig suggests the truck is a stock suspension 265/65r17 in PNW on 5100's.

So you're gonna replace a weak 8" that broke (because that's what they do) and spend a lot to put the same exact kind of weak 8" back in for it to blow up again
Doesn't make sense but OK.

I believe this is the same diff and same known issue on GX470’s and 4th gen T4R’s. They blow.

Not to mention, 3.73 is generally only good for stock ride height on tires around 265/65 size. I believe FJ came with 4.30. Probably for a reason.
Any real off road vehicle generally comes with bigger tires and 4.10 at a minimum. Which is also available out of 2TRFE manual 4x4's.

 

Not mine.

 

Update- Got my complete rear axel/3rd assembly w 105,000 installed w fresh Valvoline full syn 75-90 and she’s riding super smooth and responsive now! I’m waiting on a driver side e-brake cable and new set of bil 5100’s. While disconnecting the lower mount on my current 5100’s the driver side shock snapped off like a toothpick right at the upper mount. It was a bummer because they were still in excellent shape actionwise. Looks like the shock shaft was already cracked half way through when looking at the break. Possible defect? I will definitely be loosening the upper mounts before pulling the lower mounts from now on. As for the condition of the old axel assembly it was completely toast, axel seals had been leaking more than I thought and the rear shoes and drums were caked with 1/4” of goop. The new axel assembly is dry all the way around and came with almost new shoes so I was able to take it for a test drive without the broken e brake cable and shock connected. Once the cable comes in I’m gonna completely disassemble the brakes to get the e-brake cables installed and reassemble. Dealing with the ebrake cables and brake system is actually the biggest PIA of this whole job lol. I’m very happy with my purchase and believe I saved money going this route. Thanks for all the help and criticism! I love it! Be blessed!

PS - If anyone can point me to a link or has any insight to help with installing the new e-brake cable into the cab that’d be awesome. I got an automatic transmission, does the front side of the cable attach to the foot pedal cable under the center console?

 

I broke mine too and looked for months….ended up paying 1600 for a local shop to rebuild it

 

Jeez, this is a lot of thread and work for what should have been a simple 3rd replacement from ECGS. They take the core as long as it's not super rusted, or physically broken. if the ring gear is grenaded they don't care.

And 8" E-locker diffs are reasonably strong. They will break if you abuse your truck, but this aint no Chevy Malibu. I am not aware of them being a weak point. these trucks are not delicate flowers.

 

I have a 2008 trd sport access cab 4x4 sr5 tacoma and as far as I can tell I have a lsd differential. It was mentioned here somewhere that it was in this specific year and trim also. On the lift my rear wheels spin in the same direction and I can get up my snowy incline in 2wd.
Is there a way to figure out exactly what I've got? I know there's supposed to be a sticker on the rear of the diff but that might be gone since the truck has been rust proofed extensively over the years.

How do I figure out whats in there?... Havent had the truck long only a month and a half or so.

Thanks and glad you found all you needed and your trucks up and running

 

@jbolts - you get the axel code off the inside door panel- the last letter in the code tells you whether it is e-locker, open, or LS. A=open, B=e-locker, C=LS. I’m pretty sure anything after ‘06 is ELS and not MLS?

 

That's what I thought but some one mentioned specifically my model being equipped with an lsd diff. Last year before being phased out.

I'll go to check the sticker right now actually.

 

A04C

So it is indeed a lsd nice

 

@jbolts - right on . It should 4-wheel really good!

 

Thanks a bunch man you cleared that up really quick much appreciated

and sorry for going off topic but to be fair your issues seemed to have been resolved

 

Hey guys, resurrecting this thread w a follow up/new beginning. Got the LKQ axel assembly i bought all mounted up and thought i was golden, then my wife jumps in the truck and takes off down the driveway and i notice the driver rear tire wobbling side to side 3”. Jacked it up and noticed the passenger side wobbling an inch or more too. Long story short, i pulled the drum, ratchet strapped the shoes, popped the truck into go, and the axel is bent bigger than smit. Hard to tell w the naked eye but im pretty sure the housing is also slightly bent forward a smidge. Must have been rear ended pretty bad. Now i get to R&R the whole unit again and LKQ says they don’t have another one yet. Oh well, guess I’ll be pretty good at this when I’m done. Life is good!

tried uploading an 8 second iphone video clip but it won’t let me??

 

Wow that blows I feel for you man.

 

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!