Third Member Question(s)

My first question is can i take the 3rd member off a truck with a locker and swap it onto a 04 tacoma with an open rear diff but keep the same axle itself? Also if just the 3rd member is replaced can i use a 2nd gen tacoma 3rd member on a 1st gen? I have been trying to find these answers for 2 hours and cant find them. Is the swap really this easy?

 

The locker and open diff rear end axle housings are different. If you swap a stock TRD elocker into an open diff rear end, you have to swap the entire axle housing as well. The locker rear end is slightly smaller. I believe the locker rear is 8.0" and the open rear is 8.4".

I'm not entire certain but i'm pretty sure the 1st and 2nd gen 8.4 axle housing holds the same size 3rd member. I think it was the front diff that is larger on the 2nd gens. Perhaps someone else can confirm this.

 

Shit...i found a 3rd member off a 03 online for 175$ but i guess no point in getting that. Its hard to find whole axles lol. I found one a week ago but the spider gear needed replaced and i heard that is not something easy to do.

 

This is not an easy swap. I have heard of it being done tho. There several issues to address including modifying the axle mounting holes to match the holes on the 3rd. The housing are different.

Setting up a Tacoma 3rd with new spider gears is also a challenging task. Best left to an someone experienced in setting up toyota differentials.

I am curious why you are wanting to do this. Are you having trouble with your 8.4 open rear diff? Or are you just looking at ways to add a rear locker?

 

I'm sorry to repeat this but no, you cannot swap a TRD third member into a non-TRD axle. I'm also curious as to why you want to do this. The e-lockers are good rear ends but are not a durable as a 8.4. Even though the rings are the same diameter (it's not actually 8.4"), the 8.4 has a one piece girdle for the bearing caps and shims instead of screw in adjusters for backlash. If you are wanting a locked rear have you considered a Detroit or similar style differential?

 

The "8 inch" e-locker can be swapped into an 8" open housing not the 8.4. All it takes is a little grinding and drilling for a new stud. This was popular among the 3rd gen 4Runner crowd and how the stories/confusion started. ECGS sold a kit to do it.
The added strength of the 8.4 is nothing to brag about.

 

Wanting to add a locker to the rear, mostly for snow and ice

 

IMO, you are better off without using a locker in those conditions. Having a locker on ice is dangerous and does more harm than good most of the time.

On snow and ice, I don't typically use my lockers. I might make an exception on steep inclines with fresh snow only. But that is certainly not the typical snow/ice scenario.

 

Manly need it for my drive way, being very steep at the beginning. I have to floor it and gain speed to get up it if i can at all when the snow and ice come. One tire breaks free and im done

 

What about a LSD like a truetrac?

 

Thought about it but it costs alot to have installed and i cant seem to find anything on how to install it in a tacoma diff