TACOMA/4RUNNER FRONT DIFF CONVERSION

[snotaco]

so... has anyone on here looked into or tried to do a newer tacoma 8 inch front diff?? ive only seen where Brian at front range offroad did it on his third gen 4runner, but he wont say anything on what he did.

looking at them the design is close to the same, just a little wider. i know he did a custom 2 inch long travel to make it work, but why couldnt the tube and shaft be shortened to keep it first gen width?

 

[4Running Daily]

The diff can be shortened. Years ago I saw someone cram a front diff from a new Tundra into a 3rd gen 4Runner. But I’ve never been able to find the thread.

I’d love to find one so I could try it.

 

[snotaco]

The diff can be shortened. Years ago I saw someone cram a front diff from a new Tundra into a 3rd gen 4Runner. But I’ve never been able to find the thread.

I’d love to find one so I could try it.

must be talking about this one?
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/137225-front-diff-upgrade-time.html

made some progress on it, but the thread just died so thats not cool

 

[4Running Daily]

must be talking about this one?
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/137225-front-diff-upgrade-time.html

made some progress on it, but the thread just died so thats not cool

Damn. I cannot believe you found that thread. I have been looking for years haha. If I can find a diff from a Tundra, I'll try that conversion.

 

[snotaco]

Damn. I cannot believe you found that thread. I have been looking for years haha. If I can find a diff from a Tundra, I'll try that conversion.

i only found it because i had just been looking at it not too long ago! lol there is actually one on our local craigslist, matching gearing to me i believe for not too much. its hard for me to not buy it, just to hoard it and probably not do anything with lol

 

[AssBurns]

Check out this guys build on IG. He did a 1 ton IFS swap into his Colorado. Some beefy shit!! If you are willing to take the time and effort to do it, I’d say it’s a great idea, but I’d probably do something a little stronger than just an 8” diff. If your ballin, do a Currie F9, but most of us can’t afford that because if we could, we would probably be building an Ultra4 buggy by now haha. I really like the idea of a 1 ton swap. What front diffs do the new Tundras use? Something significantly stronger than 8” tacoma diffs?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfO40sPgsEN/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1ll8q033koqee

 

[4Running Daily]

Check out this guys build on IG. He did a 1 ton IFS swap into his Colorado. Some beefy shit!! If you are willing to take the time and effort to do it, I’d say it’s a great idea, but I’d probably do something a little stronger than just an 8” diff. If your ballin, do a Currie F9, but most of us can’t afford that because if we could, we would probably be building an Ultra4 buggy by now haha. I really like the idea of a 1 ton swap. What front diffs do the new Tundras use? Something significantly stronger than 8” tacoma diffs?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfO40sPgsEN/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1ll8q033koqee

They’re a massive 9”. Make the 7.5” look tiny haha. Would eliminate the majority of the issues associated.

 

[4Running Daily]

Check out this guys build on IG. He did a 1 ton IFS swap into his Colorado. Some beefy shit!! If you are willing to take the time and effort to do it, I’d say it’s a great idea, but I’d probably do something a little stronger than just an 8” diff. If your ballin, do a Currie F9, but most of us can’t afford that because if we could, we would probably be building an Ultra4 buggy by now haha. I really like the idea of a 1 ton swap. What front diffs do the new Tundras use? Something significantly stronger than 8” tacoma diffs?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfO40sPgsEN/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1ll8q033koqee

Also wouldn’t call a Dana 44 a 1ton. The CV’s are massive sure, but the diff isn’t.

 

[AssBurns]

They’re a massive 9”. Make the 7.5” look tiny haha. Would eliminate the majority of the issues associated.

Yeah you can run a 10” ring gear on those diffs. Definitely race stuff.

Also wouldn’t call a Dana 44 a 1ton. The CV’s are massive sure, but the diff isn’t.

Agreed. D44 is definitely not 1 ton, but even 1/2 ton is better than the shitty stock 7.5” Toyota or 7.6” Chevy stuff. A Dana 44 is a 8.5” ring gear, which I’d expect to be stronger than the Toyota 8” up front. A 9” would be just about bulletproof though. And on IFS, I doubt that a D60 would ever be practical due to its massive size and weight.

 

[RPS1030]

Yeah you can run a 10” ring gear on those diffs. Definitely race stuff.


Agreed. D44 is definitely not 1 ton, but even 1/2 ton is better than the shitty stock 7.5” Toyota or 7.6” Chevy stuff. A Dana 44 is a 8.5” ring gear, which I’d expect to be stronger than the Toyota 8” up front. A 9” would be just about bulletproof though. And on IFS, I doubt that a D60 would ever be practical due to its massive size and weight.

I’d say 8” and D44 are really close. I’m trying to remember what was the primary concern, maybe R&P on the D44s. Plenty got swapped in back with Birfirlds weren’t upgradable. But no way I do that swap now, go straight to FJ80 or D60.

 

[4Running Daily]

Yeah you can run a 10” ring gear on those diffs. Definitely race stuff.


Agreed. D44 is definitely not 1 ton, but even 1/2 ton is better than the shitty stock 7.5” Toyota or 7.6” Chevy stuff. A Dana 44 is a 8.5” ring gear, which I’d expect to be stronger than the Toyota 8” up front. A 9” would be just about bulletproof though. And on IFS, I doubt that a D60 would ever be practical due to its massive size and weight.

So David Farmer and I have talked about alot of this stuff in the past. Yes for strength, but also for center mounting the front diff. So we ended up buying the subframe of an MKIII Supra with a diff and shafts. It's just a Toyota 8" and theoretically an ARB locker might be able to fit. (Haven't dug that deep). But it does have aftermarket 4.88, 5.29 etc options, you can upgrade all of them just like the Supra guys do. Anyways, point being you could do a center mount front diff. Using the inners and outers from the Supra, and a custom length shaft. A 3" over kit would be more travel than imaginable haha. The supra outers fit inside stock hubs. Both are 30 spline and incredibility similar.

 

[AssBurns]

I’d say 8” and D44 are really close. I’m trying to remember what was the primary concern, maybe R&P on the D44s. Plenty got swapped in back with Birfirlds weren’t upgradable. But no way I do that swap now, go straight to FJ80 or D60.

We are still running a 7.5”, so either one will be an upgrade. I wonder how the 8” front compares to the 8” rear. Totally different diffs, but same size ring gear. The IFS diffs are high pinion.

So David Farmer and I have talked about alot of this stuff in the past. Yes for strength, but also for center mounting the front diff. So we ended up buying the subframe of an MKIII Supra with a diff and shafts. It's just a Toyota 8" and theoretically an ARB locker might be able to fit. (Haven't dug that deep). But it does have aftermarket 4.88, 5.29 etc options, you can upgrade all of them just like the Supra guys do. Anyways, point being you could do a center mount front diff. Using the inners and outers from the Supra, and a custom length shaft. A 3" over kit would be more travel than imaginable haha. The supra outers fit inside stock hubs. Both are 30 spline and incredibility similar.

I remember that. Pretty damn cool idea! A ton of work to make it happen, but I’d bet it would be extremely rewarding if you pulled it off. My concern with that is driveshaft clearance with the diff being centered. I think you could notch the oil pan, and maybe push everything forward a few inches to make more room for UCA’s to mount up there.

Also, that is a low pinion rear diff correct? I wonder how that would hold up as a front diff? The R&P would be constantly pushing away from each other rather than pulling into each other.

I really like this idea though. Did David bail on this idea entirely once he wrecked his 3rd gen or is he still considering it?

 

[4Running Daily]

We are still running a 7.5”, so either one will be an upgrade. I wonder how the 8” front compares to the 8” rear. Totally different diffs, but same size ring gear. The IFS diffs are high pinion.



I remember that. Pretty damn cool idea! A ton of work to make it happen, but I’d bet it would be extremely rewarding if you pulled it off. My concern with that is driveshaft clearance with the diff being centered. I think you could notch the oil pan, and maybe push everything forward a few inches to make more room for UCA’s to mount up there.

Also, that is a low pinion rear diff correct? I wonder how that would hold up as a front diff? The R&P would be constantly pushing away from each other rather than pulling into each other.

I really like this idea though. Did David bail on this idea entirely once he wrecked his 3rd gen or is he still considering it?

Well for me, and a 2" body lift up front, I can easily raise my drivetrain to clear. We would probably do a J-Arm setup. But I don't know how the diff would hold up. Really only one way to find out haha.

Ya, he's working on a 3.5" over kit for his 100 series currently.

 

[AssBurns]

Well for me, and a 2" body lift up front, I can easily raise my drivetrain to clear. We would probably do a J-Arm setup. But I don't know how the diff would hold up. Really only one way to find out haha.

Ya, he's working on a 3.5" over kit for his 100 series currently.

A J-Arm sounds like it should do the trick. Definitely looking forward to seeing how it turns out on his 100 series. That's a lot of weight to pull around with a small/backwards diff haha
Have him join the forum and post up some updates. I'd love to see the progress!

 

[snotaco]

Check out this guys build on IG. He did a 1 ton IFS swap into his Colorado. Some beefy shit!! If you are willing to take the time and effort to do it, I’d say it’s a great idea, but I’d probably do something a little stronger than just an 8” diff. If your ballin, do a Currie F9, but most of us can’t afford that because if we could, we would probably be building an Ultra4 buggy by now haha. I really like the idea of a 1 ton swap. What front diffs do the new Tundras use? Something significantly stronger than 8” tacoma diffs?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfO40sPgsEN/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1ll8q033koqee

I just got to read through and see my updates on the forum, i seen on the photo of mine that got shared on Instagram, there was mention of talking about the colorado but i had idea on it was on here! Lol me and him have been friends forever and the thing is pretty cool beans


On a serious note, I'm glad im not the only one wondering about upgrades. A center mount supra would be awesome, but the clearing it would be interesting. A clam shell design would probably still work the best, and if that's the case why settle for a 8 inch when the bigger tundra one is available. I dont think ive seen any tundra fronts blown up either?

 

[4Running Daily]

Depends on if you’re going for travel or strength. A clamshell for strength. Centermount for travel. Or balance the 2

 

[snotaco]

And that all boils down to what kind of wheeling you need it to do i guess. I dont get to go to rocks all that much so travel isnt a huge deal to me, and i would be willing to sacrifice some to have something a little more dependable with some strength.

 

[AssBurns]

I just got to read through and see my updates on the forum, i seen on the photo of mine that got shared on Instagram, there was mention of talking about the colorado but i had idea on it was on here! Lol me and him have been friends forever and the thing is pretty cool beans


On a serious note, I'm glad im not the only one wondering about upgrades. A center mount supra would be awesome, but the clearing it would be interesting. A clam shell design would probably still work the best, and if that's the case why settle for a 8 inch when the bigger tundra one is available. I dont think ive seen any tundra fronts blown up either?

Well get your friend on here so we can brainstorm and get ideas!

I do like the idea of possibly using a tundra diff if it’s narrow enough. Too wide and you’ll run into angle and plunge issues. Ideally, I’d want something stronger and narrower without the crazy cost of a fully fabricated axle. Now what axle can be used as a balance of the two? I don’t think a Supra axle is ideal at all. Too weak to use as a strength upgrade. I’m betting that a tundra axle will be too wide. Sounds like your buddy case up with a legit solution to easily come up with a custom width. That’s one thing that’s nice about Dana axles is that custom widths are fairly easy. Too bad Dana 44 gearing doesn’t have anything super close to 5.29. I think they might have a 5.38 gear ratio that could work.

 

[4Running Daily]

Well get your friend on here so we can brainstorm and get ideas!

I do like the idea of possibly using a tundra diff if it’s narrow enough. Too wide and you’ll run into angle and plunge issues. Ideally, I’d want something stronger and narrower without the crazy cost of a fully fabricated axle. Now what axle can be used as a balance of the two? I don’t think a Supra axle is ideal at all. Too weak to use as a strength upgrade. I’m betting that a tundra axle will be too wide. Sounds like your buddy case up with a legit solution to easily come up with a custom width. That’s one thing that’s nice about Dana axles is that custom widths are fairly easy. Too bad Dana 44 gearing doesn’t have anything super close to 5.29. I think they might have a 5.38 gear ratio that could work.

The Tundra can be shortened as well. I’ll be moving the drive train up an inch and a half within 2019, which should give me enough room. Plus the ability to run an ARB Air Locker up front is attractive, and Toyota gear ratios.

But those diffs aren’t easy to find. I’ve never seen a Tundra newer than 06 in a junkyard, and I saw 0 of those diffs on car-part.com


Cv wise though. The Tundra hubs bolt in to the spindle just like 2nd gen Tacoma’s. So machining a block that you could fabricate a spindle off of would be pretty easy

 

[AssBurns]

Well, looks like we aren’t the first ones to think of this either. Maybe we need to finish his idea.
Using the Toyota Tundra 9” or 8.7” (seen people say both) with a shortened ADD tube, and possibly Tundra axles with f350 hubs.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/137225-front-diff-upgrade-time.html

I’d say use Tundra unit bearings like Connor said. Connor, wanna draw something up and have @snivilous machine something for us? That way we can make custom hubs to work with your LT kit.