'94 pick-up rear differential

[LongbowMick]

Last week I was driving along about 40mph and heard a loud bang and it felt like the rear lifted up in the air and I was being tossed toward the ravine off the side of the road. I came to a stop, decided I didn't just get blown up, said to myself that was some flat and got out to check the damage. No flat, no parts hanging underneath, walked back up the road looking for wreckage, just 50yards of skid marks.
So, I started driving real slow listening and feeling for bad things, I didn't feel anything until I got up to 40mph and felt a bump in the rear, I slowed back down and haven't driven it since.
I drained the rear diff and there was a metal piece stuck to the plug about 1/4"x3/16" it looks like it was part of a bearing housing.
I have a 4cyl non-turbo, this should be an 8" 4cyl diff correct?
I don't see any other damage, I'm thinking that my rear end locked up, does that sound about right?
I've never torn into a rear diff before, what are some options and what should I look for?

Thanks

 

[Owyhee H]

Changing the third is really easy. First you need to make sure what your gearing is. If you disconect your rear driveline you can check the gearing of the front diff, which will match the rear. Just buy a used third if that is all that is wrong. Any toyota 8" will work with the right gears. A V6 rear diff will be 4 pinion and an upgrade. If you are feeling really ambitious you could do an e-locker at this time.

Check the housing to make sure everything is straight and the axles are in good shape. If you need more info let us know.

 

[Toyotero]

Changing the third is really easy. First you need to make sure what your gearing is. If you disconect your rear driveline you can check the gearing of the front diff, which will match the rear. Just buy a used third if that is all that is wrong. Any toyota 8" will work with the right gears. A V6 rear diff will be 4 pinion and an upgrade. If you are feeling really ambitious you could do an e-locker at this time.

Check the housing to make sure everything is straight and the axles are in good shape. If you need more info let us know.

Ditto. If you are running stock gears, pick up a third member at a salvage yard. Make sure you get the right gears, for example auto transmissions had lower gearing.

Changing it is easy.
- pull axles
- pull third
- clean housing
- install 'new' third
- install axles

It might be worth it to change the axle bearings and seals while you are at it.

 

[Grim Reaper]

If you are stock gears then yes by all means the junk yard is the way to go.

Toyota is horrible about down sizing everything with the engine size. Find out the ratio and then find a V6 with that ratio and use the stronger V6 diff. It is 100% bolt in.

Now if you are running oversized tires and want to upgrade look for a 92 up 31 inch tire option truck of 4Runner and pull both diffs. They came with 4.88's. Bolt in swap.

Here is how to read the door sticker to figure out the gear ratios:
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/faq/vin/



Also on your next brake rebuild if you would like to actually be able to stop then put brakes form a 92 up V6 31inch tire option 4Runner. You will also need to put on the master cyclinder. The stock booster will work but you will have a very firm peddle. You will be able to lock 33's.
Best deal on the masters is: http://www.marlincrawler.com/brake/master-cylinder/big-bore-fj80-brake-master-cylinder
To soften the peddle you need to swap the booster out of a V6 truck or 4Runner,