OEM front differential ratios. Which one?

Hello everyone! I have a question regarding gear ratios for the Tacoma. Right now, I have an 07 base model, 4x4. I had a very bad accident as the rebuilt axle I installed came out of the diff, and ground the splines to shreds. Im not sure exactly how this happened so I'm just chalking it up to installer error. anyway, I just started browsing diffs, and I'm seeing a lot of gear ratios. So my question is, if I gotta replace the differential in my truck, what's the recommended gear ratio I should look for ?What would the benefits be of a different ratio, or would there be none, and I should just find an exact replacement. I do eventually want to put 1 size up tires on my rims. Not sure if that would change anything. Thanks for your input!

 

Whatever you do, it has to be exactly the same as the one in the rear. You also have to use the same size tires front and back. It even matters how much wear is on them. Not a good idea to put new tires on the front and leave worn tires on the rear even in the same size. Due to the wear they will be different diameters and cause problems when operating in 4X4

Most, if not all of the 6 cyl trucks come with 3.73 gears. The 4 cylinder trucks have 4.10 I think. If someone installed the wrong one in the front that would explain the damage. In fact if that happened the rear diff is probably screwed too.

3.73 is a pretty good all around ratio as long as you stay with a 32" or smaller tire if you have the V6. Much bigger and you might consider lower gears. The less powerful 4 cyl needs lower gears to offset the lack of power.

 

Thanks for the info. I have no intention of changing the rear diff, so I guess it exact replacement for me! I will get the code from the sticker to make sure what I have. Is there a place Tacomaworld likes to buy used or rebuilt diffs?

 

East Coast Gear Supply

 

my sticker says A04A which is a 4:56 ratio.

 

They come stock with either a 3.73 (4.0) or 4.10 (2.7).

 

2nd gen tacomas didn't have 4.56 as a factory option.

 

I was reading a forum with the code info posted, but maybe I was in the wrong generation or something. Here is the picture of the sticker. I totally understand that the 4:56 wasn't available so I can't have it, but the numbers confuse me. She's some light please? Thanks !

 

Is your truck a 4 or 6 cyl? 4 cyl have 4.10 from the factory and 6cyl have 3.73 from the factory.

 

its a 6cyl. 2007. base model. i was seeing that the codes can mean different things for different gens.With Everyone being so sure its 3:73, i feel comfortable looking that up. thanks all!

 

Thanks! The people at TW always come thru.

 

I just found this at Toyota Nation. 2nd. gen differential codes. 01= 3.583: 1....02= 4100:1....03= 3.153=1....04= 3.727:1....05= 3.307:1....06=4.300:1....& 07=3.909:1. Peee's me off, if changing the codes, don't use the same #'s for different ratios, change the #'s completely so they can't get confused, or better yet, leave them the same.