Rear axle swap options

Hey all, i've broken the stock 8.4 in my 2012 sport tacoma a few times now and wanted to get some opinions on what to do next. Its is supercharged and on 35s now, with 37s likely in the future. Here is what i see available:

1. Have ecgs build me a 4.88 3rd with an arb air locker. I would also do a top and back truss. This option would probably be around 2100$.
https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-788575-tacoma-8-4-non-eld-t100-tundra-3rd.html

2. Buy a arb air locked dana 60 from ecgs with 35 spline chromoly axles. This would run 4200$.
https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-23837729-2005-2015-toyota-tacoma-dana-60-bolt-in-rear-axle.html

3. Buy a back braced, air locked ford 9" from Currie for 5200$.
https://www.currieenterprises.com/toyota-tacoma-9-inch-rear-axle

I dont want to have any more problems and have heard great things about the ecgs rebuilds but am worried it could break again. The next better options are super expensive though. I would also still need a front diff regear to make any of these work.

Heres my whip

 

Diamond Axles ford 9" they have a bunch of different options for a hogs head style diff. like the yotas. The ECGS 60 or DynaTrac Tacoma 60 is probably your most plug and play for a beefier diff. Also the 3rd gen MT rear axle it's a true 8.75 ring gear. There was a post somewhere stating it's not as strong as ours but when jumping up in gear the tooth size is greater since the R&P are. There are some other options also for ford 9" but it'll be a lot of fab work but they are more of a blank slate would be cheaper than currie.

 

gonna be snapping axle shafts at the spline where they enter the diff on the stock axle especially with 37's.

Man up. 4.88s up front and the dana 60.... FYI 4.88 is the only ratio that you can match the same on the front with either full axle swap options.

 

Not true you can get 5.29s on the ford 9". The 9" is so popular in racing they have 1000s upon 1000s of gear ratios.

 

ah true, i was just referencing the plug and play options linked to.

 

So i guess to add on to my original post, what breaks next and when? My truck is a 6 speed manual. Does either the trans or transfer case commonly break at some point that would make one of then the weakest link instead of the rear?

 

I REALLY like the Ford 9". Even in a stock F150 version, they will handle way more torque than any V6 could ever put out. I have a Ford F150 with a 460 running 38" comp cut Boggers and I have no trouble with the 9". If I were going to get real serious with a Taco, here's what I would do. Buy a 1978ish F150 rear axle assembly. Cut the bearing ends off a Taco housing. Take it to a place that narrows rear ends and have them weld it together. Have custom chromoly axles made with Taco outer dimensions, and 31 splines. Weld the spring perches and shock mounts to the housing. Set up the 3rd member with your choice of locker and gear ratio. I'm sure you could get it done for way less than $5K. The reason the Ford 9" is so strong is because it has 3 pinion bearings.

 

I haven't heard of our t-case being a weak link nor the MT. But if you are going to go full retard get he 4spd atlas.

Diamond Axles already does this with their 9" just with a custom housing and tubes. He could also do NASCAR and convert the 9" to a full floater assembly

 

Yes the 60 doesn't have that many options in gearing but 5.13 or I think they have a 5.34 or something like that which can work as well since they are within a certain % of ratio but not recommended.

 

front IFS stuffs.

 

Always front IFS stuffs!!!!