Using 4cyl front diff on a V6 to regear?

Weird question, but weird circumstance...

I have a 5spd v6 that was regeared to 4.56 and the front diff grenaded. Apparently the stock 4cyl has 4.56 gears...can you swap in a used front diff from a 4cyl into the V6 instead of paying to rebuild the diff?

 

I don’t see why not. Just make sure the front is for sure 4.56.
The V6 had 4.10 best I remember?

 

Yes, but do verify the ratio and..............

Your 04 should have the "ADD" system. You will need a diff from an ADD equipped truck. "ADD"=automatic disconnecting differential, not manual hubs.
A factory manual hub equipped truck can use a manual hub or ADD diff.

 

I wasn't aware there were gen 1's with manual locking hubs...

 

There are! You can swap the stub shaft and diff tubes from ADD and manual hub trucks as well. the add/manual tube bolts on to the differential. You can take your ADD stub shaft + tube + actuator and install it on whatever front diff you end up using.

96-2004 Tacoma all use a 7.5" front diff

 

Pretty rad! You learn about something new (to spend money on) every day...

 

They were available up to 00 or 01 IIRC.
ADD and man hub diffs are different. The compatibility deal is the ADD diff has a few additional parts inside the diff proper not found on the manual hub diff. These parts do not interfere when putting an ADD diff in a manual hub truck or converting an ADD truck to man hubs.

 

ADD diff, pass side, extension tube removed. In the darkness beyond the oil slinger is a needle bearing, also not found on a man hub diff.


Man hub diff, no slinger or needle bearing.


Needle bearing in ADD not seen in first pic.

 

When I took my truck apart for regearing it had an oil slinger despite being manual tube and hubs but perhaps someone had swapped in an ADD third prior to my ownership

 

That or possibly factory ADD converted to man hubs. That was fairly popular back in the day.