Rear Locker/Axle Discussion and Question

So I've searched for quite some time and I still can't confirm what rear axle I have. I have an 09 4x4 V6 without a locker. According to Randy's Ring and Pinion, I'm about 99% sure I have an 8". In any case, I'm trying to confirm this so I can put in an auto locker.

This leads me to my next question. Why do I see and hear of the need to check backlash and pinion preload when installing these? The only thing changing are spider gears to cam gears. You utilize the same carrier bearings, shims, and caps. You don't remove and reinstall the pinion. Yet I see so many check backlash with these installs. I've installed many lockers in Jeep axles and have never had to check anything other than tolerances between the cams. I'm just trying to get clarification on if this is needed on newer Tacoma axles as it does not appear there are any adjuster caps on newer models within the last ten years or so? Just looking for clarification.

 

I thought the TRD offroads with lockers had the 8" diff and the non-locker diffs were 8.4"?

Someone else will have to confirm

 

The T100/Tundra/Tacoma diff or "8.4"

Bookmark this page some great info on there

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/#T100-Tundra

 

Great. That's some good info. So theoretically since this diff uses shims for backlash adjustment, would there still be a need to check if using exactly what came out?

 

My thought is if you are in there...What's a few hundo more to upgrade the gears and freshen it all up?

Then you gotta do both front and rear

 

Damn. Ill have to read that whole page at some point. I have always heard the 8.4" vs 8" on this forum, but from what I skimmed that seems to imply they are actually both 8".

 

It appears you're wanting to install a "lunchbox" style locker,correct? This requires no backlash checking,etc because you're not actually replacing the carrier,just the internals.

 

That right. That's what I understood. I only asked because I've seen videos where guys that are installing "lunchbox" lockers are checking pinion pre-load, backlash, and gear pattern. I didn't quite understand why so I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

Thanks!