Questions on differentials and regearing

I have searched around TW quite a bit for information regarding differentials. So far I know that my truck has a 4.10's with code B03A in the door jam.

There's a bad squealing noise coming from, what the mechanic says is, the differential. Instead of having mine rebuilt, I feel like I would be better off buying a new rear axle from the junkyard with 4.56's to better match my 32" tires and eliminate any other problems my 200k axle might have. Thoughts and opinions on this?

Also, I imagine I would have to get the front differential re-geared to match the 4.56 in the back should I chose to go that route. How difficult/costly would it be to have the front taken care of too?

Definitely a newb when it comes to diffs....

My truck:
99 Tacoma, 4WD (6 Lug), SR5, V6, Manual trans, w/ABS

 

Expensive to re-gear a diff, maybe $400 or so, including gear set,
install kit, etc. Lots of labor involved. Leave that to a specialist.

Best to get 2 matching front/rear diffs from same 4x4 Taco.
Swapping the rear diff is doable, but combersome. I've done it several times.
Need to pull both rear axle shafts to remove the diff.

I've never done an IFS front swap, though. Not sure how tough that is.

 

Thanks. I'm not exactly sure where I should start...

 

I am putting a kazuma lsd in my 98 taco and i am thinking on doing a gear swap also.You can cut some cost by doing the tear down your self. my front and rear are going to randy's ring&pinion but i will bring to them.they are close to me

 

Bad squealing sound is usually a wheel bearing. A whirling or grinding sound is usually a diff. Problem with 4.56 rears is that they are hard to find and I think they only came in 4runners(might be off on this) which will not work with some fab. If housing is in good shape, could get rebuild kit for it(bearings/seals)

The front diff is not bad to get out. Pull the cv axles, disconnect the driveshaft, and then it is 2 long bolts and hex nut(m12).

The tough part about the front diff is that it is a clam shell design that requires full assembly to check for backlash. To have it done professionally, probably 300 bucks for labor, 200 for gears, 200 for install kit. Check east coast gear or jt's, or Marlin for full assy fronts...it is easier and cheaper than doing it yourself

Definitely need to match the gear ratios other wise your transfer case goes bye-bye.

 

4.56's also came in 4-cyl Tacomas with automatic tranny, due to
the higher first gear. Thats what mine has .

 

i regeared my 2000 2.7 with yukon 4.88s with a detroit in the rear and a sparton locker in the front i love it because the front diff is very involved i let a shop do it they had it for a month before they could get it dialed in right or so they said put 2 miles on it before i had to take it to another shop they got it done right in an hr so if you cant find a stock front case with 4.56 i would order a complete one from marlin crawler or another co. like that it will save you money and stress just my opn

 

Hey wherestaco is your truck manual or auto and how how do you like the 4.88 i have a 2.7 5 speed and want to regear wondering between 456 or 488 ????? not sure if 488 would be alittle low??

 

X2, mine is the same.

 

I like the 4.88s I have the 2.7 5 speed with 33x12.50s full skids and armor and winch with the 4.88s I have plenty of power and torque

 

Like mentioned above, I've never heard squealing from a diff. just clunks,howls & grinds but I HAVE had a squeal before & it was carrier bearing, I'd make sure it was the diff before even talking about swapping out diffs, re gearing , etc. unless your going to re gear anyway