Taco rear axle differences

[thethinginthewoods]

I am looking at getting a 2001-2004 Tacoma and am curios about the differences in rear axles. I read somewhere online (though I can't seem to find it now) that the 2004 model year has a different flange for the third member to mate up to. I understand that the TRD package gave you the factory electric locker, I would rather run an ARB, so basically I need to know the differences between the 2001-2003 non-TRD rear axle and the 2004 non-TRD axle. Thanks!

 

[MotoDave]

I've found this site very helpful for learning about the axles/differentials for the T100:
http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

 

[thethinginthewoods]

That was one of the sites i referenced, but i didn't see anything that specifically said what year the break was and what the differences were. At least not for the Tacoma. Thanks though!

 

[RusM]

WHy don't you want an e-locker? It works. More importantly, it does not cost anything more than an unlocked stock axle and it will save you $1200 in parts alone not even counting labor.

 

[Applejack]

I know that somewhere in those years they changed from a 10 bolt to a 12 bolt.
Is that what you are referring to?

 

[MotoDave]

How I read it was that non-TRD rear diffs were the so called 8.4", same as the rear on my T-100. The TRD E-Locker 3rd member is not compatible with the axle housing.

On the Tacomas the consensus seems to be to find a TRD rear axle with the E-Locker in it and swap it in, or go with a regular locker or ARB. I'm planning to go with a Lock-Right unless I come across a screaming deal on an ARB, since I doubt I'll end up locking the front axle.

The ARB application Guide lumps together all '96 to '09 Tacomas without the E-Locker:
http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/toyotaTacoma.pdf

 

[cruiseroutfit]

All non e-lock diffs are commonly called a 8.2" or 8.4", though they measure differently it makes an easy notation versus the 8" that came with the TRD package. Keep in mind non-TRD trucks can absolutely have the e-locker, though with the introduction of the TRD it is rare to find a non-TRD with the locker however I know of several. The differentials themselves are very different with the 8.4" actually being a superior design (girdled bearing caps), however as the 8" e-locker was already in use for other markets it didn't make sense to redesign another e-lockers I suppose. There is nothing wrong with the 8.4", nor the V6 style 8", but you cannot swap one for the other as the mating flange on the axle housing is entirely different. If you want a selectable locker in a non-elock housing, your choice is the ARB. You end up with a nice strong 8.4" diff and the selectable locker. Otherwise as noted you need to swap the entire hub to hub axle from an e-lock 8" truck. It is a direct swap but throughout the range of Tacomas there were minor changes such as park brake cables, etc.

As for the pinion flanges, I can't say exactly what year it was, definitely by 2005 but possible not as soon as 2003 the flange went from a 27 spline to a 30 spline. No biggy, flanges are available in various patterns for both. Most aftermarket gears will still be 27 spline.

 

[CYi5]

I've heard with the '04s that extra shims are needed if you plan to regear it to set the backlash correctly.

'04's also have the e-brake cable running low across the axle while previous years are up higher.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've heard with the '04s that extra shims are needed if you plan to regear it to set the backlash correctly.

Can't say I've run into that, the part number is the same for the differential through Toyota so I can't imagine what the change would have been? However we have all the different shims on the shelf so if an axle needs a little different shimming is a non-issue.

 

[austintaco]

All non e-lock diffs are commonly called a 8.2" or 8.4", though they measure differently it makes an easy notation versus the 8" that came with the TRD package. Keep in mind non-TRD trucks can absolutely have the e-locker, though with the introduction of the TRD it is rare to find a non-TRD with the locker however I know of several. The differentials themselves are very different with the 8.4" actually being a superior design (girdled bearing caps), however as the 8" e-locker was already in use for other markets it didn't make sense to redesign another e-lockers I suppose. There is nothing wrong with the 8.4", nor the V6 style 8", but you cannot swap one for the other as the mating flange on the axle housing is entirely different. If you want a selectable locker in a non-elock housing, your choice is the ARB. You end up with a nice strong 8.4" diff and the selectable locker. Otherwise as noted you need to swap the entire hub to hub axle from an e-lock 8" truck. It is a direct swap but throughout the range of Tacomas there were minor changes such as park brake cables, etc.

As for the pinion flanges, I can't say exactly what year it was, definitely by 2005 but possible not as soon as 2003 the flange went from a 27 spline to a 30 spline. No biggy, flanges are available in various patterns for both. Most aftermarket gears will still be 27 spline.

That would be me. I often forget that my truck was not actually a TRD, but it did have the locker. Actually, I looked all over for one that didn't have the TRD package but came with options that I wanted like the E locker. I knew I would be lifting it eventually so I didn't want to pay for stuff I would be replacing. I found out later that the springs up front were even the TRD coils, but just had the black tokico shocks. In the end, the only difference between my truck and a TRD was a set of bilstein shocks front and rear and I guess TRD leafsprings, if they were even different...oh, and about $4000 by shopping around

 

[cruiseroutfit]

That would be me. I often forget that my truck was not actually a TRD, but it did have the locker. Actually, I looked all over for one that didn't have the TRD package but came with options that I wanted like the E locker. I knew I would be lifting it eventually so I didn't want to pay for stuff I would be replacing. I found out later that the springs up front were even the TRD coils, but just had the black tokico shocks. In the end, the only difference between my truck and a TRD was a set of bilstein shocks front and rear and I guess TRD leafsprings, if they were even different...oh, and about $4000 by shopping around

Right on. I can definitely agree with your reasoning. When I was looking for my current Tacoma it was virtually impossible to find a non-TRD 4dr. Here in Utah about 99% of the Tacomas are 4WD, and they vast majority of the 99-04's were TRD here.

 

[thethinginthewoods]

Thanks for all the great info, folks! I guess the main reason I wanted an ARB in the rear was for the sake of uniformity and a more "clean" looking switch setup (one for the compressor and two for the forward and rear diffs), but if I manage to find one I am looking for, I wouldn't hesitate on getting the TRD with the factory locker obviously. I just think it would be much more simple to have one control setup for both lockers versus an air setup for the front and the factory electric wiring for the rear. Maybe the only difference I read was the parking brake cable issue and the third member-to-axle housing flange difference between the non-TRD and TRD models.