Needing a new rear end - Need Some advice - TundraTalk.net

dothedeww · 06-22-2012, 03:13 AM

Another member recently posted a video of a noise his truck was making. Turns out its the same noise I'm dealing with, except I'm out of warranty. The dealer says a tooth broke off of the gear and ended up replacing the whole rear diff assembly. Out of warranty cost a little over $3000.

So my question is, what are my options for upgrading. I do plow snow, I do pull a 4,000lb trailer at least once a week, and I do a little bit of offroading and am tired of the one-wheel peel.

To start, I know nothing about rear ends. I can do a fluid change and thats about it. I've researched a little on here about auburn LSD's, ARB Air Lockers (I already have an air horn setup), and the famous 4.88 gears available (35 x 12.5 tires coming this fall). But this truck is my DD, so 4.88 gears scare me a little with gas mileage.

What are my best options, aftermarket or OEM. If the cheapest way is to spend the $3000 and get the toyota parts, I guess thats my answer. But if I can get a locker for $3000, why not? May as well upgrade while its getting replaced. I don't want to end up spending the $3000 for the toyota parts and $1500 more for a LSD or locker.

I'm just looking for a list of options, as I have no clue what I am looking at. Install would be done at a local offroad shop, since I am not ready to tackle this project.

Sorry for the rambling post but thanks in advance for the help!

-Austin

rockstate45 · 06-22-2012, 04:19 AM

A bit tired here, but if you went with the 4.88s you might not hurt fuel economy with the larger tires.

Effectively, your 4.30 gear ratio with a 295/70/18 Nitto is gnna be somewhere in the high 3s numerically.

Going to a 4.88 might give you the equivalent of a 4.30, and may offer a little low end torque too.

Not sureif you need a hypertech there or not.

-rockstate

dothedeww · 06-22-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstate45

A bit tired here, but if you went with the 4.88s you might not hurt fuel economy with the larger tires.

Effectively, your 4.30 gear ratio with a 295/70/18 Nitto is gnna be somewhere in the high 3s numerically.

Going to a 4.88 might give you the equivalent of a 4.30, and may offer a little low end torque too.

Not sureif you need a hypertech there or not.

-rockstate

Thank you!

Now I just need someone to chime in with prices so I know how much I need to fork out!

And I would probably get the hypertech to be safe.

oldtimer · 06-22-2012, 01:28 PM

The 4:88's are for two wheel drive trucks; no matching ratio for the front differential

dothedeww · 06-22-2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldtimer

The 4:88's are for two wheel drive trucks; no matching ratio for the front differential

They mention the front here

4.88 Ring & Pinions for 2007+ Toyota Tundra & Landcruiser 200series! - New Products - Nitro Gear & Axle

oldtimer · 06-22-2012, 01:43 PM

Oops, sorry. These must be relatively new, as I was under the impression there were no aftermarket gears available for the front differential

dothedeww · 06-22-2012, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldtimer

Oops, sorry. These must be relatively new, as I was under the impression there were no aftermarket gears available for the front differential

I think new as in October of 2011, so yes very new still.

I would love to have that extra low end torque, I just want some pricing quotes here. haha

LMartz · 06-22-2012, 01:47 PM

If its just a gear, why not take it to a shop and have the truck re-geared?
Are the axles in good shape still?

dothedeww · 06-23-2012, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMartz

If its just a gear, why not take it to a shop and have the truck re-geared?
Are the axles in good shape still?

I believe its just the gears but I'm really not sure.

The other member took it to toyota and they replaced the whole rear diff assembly.

How do I check the axles?

Thanks,
Austin

krewmaxxed · 06-23-2012, 08:12 PM

Xtremelow is the other member who just got his fixed. You should send him a pm, I think he was trying to get more info on his from the dealer

jemplayer · 06-24-2012, 04:34 AM

Three grand should get you both front and rear air lockers and new gears installed as long as the axles are good. Go price everything at Just Differentials. They are a supporting vender here so PM the sales guy who deals with this forum and see if he can work a deal out with you. From what I have hard install should be about $600- $700. If the axles are bad find some from a truck that was hit head on from a junk yard. Get everything installed at a shop that specializes in axles and diffs.

I would tell Toyota to shove it, take it to a rear end shop and get something above and beyond what Toyota is trying to get you to buy for a better price.

dothedeww · 06-25-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemplayer

Three grand should get you both front and rear air lockers and new gears installed as long as the axles are good. Go price everything at Just Differentials. They are a supporting vender here so PM the sales guy who deals with this forum and see if he can work a deal out with you. From what I have hard install should be about $600- $700. If the axles are bad find some from a truck that was hit head on from a junk yard. Get everything installed at a shop that specializes in axles and diffs.

I would tell Toyota to shove it, take it to a rear end shop and get something above and beyond what Toyota is trying to get you to buy for a better price.

Esactly how I feel. I will contact Just Differentials and see what we can work out.

As just to be clear, I didn't get the price from toyota, this is from another member who had his rear end replaced under warranty, and they told him the cost if he was not under warranty.

Still, for that price this truck better be beefed up.

Thanks!
Austin

dothedeww · 06-27-2012, 01:14 PM

So I unscrewed the fill plug today to check out the fluid...

This is the stuff that drained out when I took the fill plug out...

Remember..only 30k on this Royal Purple Synthetic.

And it is veryyy sparkly. its hard to tell from the phone pic.

1stYoda · 06-27-2012, 01:33 PM

If that drained out of the FILL plug, I can only imagine what will come out when you pull the drain plug. I see a new gearset at a minimum in your near future unfortunately. How much abuse, if any, has that rear end seen?

dothedeww · 06-27-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stYoda

If that drained out of the FILL plug, I can only imagine what will come out when you pull the drain plug. I see a new gearset at a minimum in your near future unfortunately. How much abuse, if any, has that rear end seen?

exactly what I am thinking, I do not want to drain the bottom plug.

And I am waiting for it to go and then new gears are coming, hopefully 4.88's!

and the rear end has seen some abuse, its been 120k miles. I mean I go in 9inch deep mud maybe twice a year, and I love doing donuts in the snow. And the truck has done maybe 5 short burnouts in its entire life. I do pull heavy trailers (9000+) every couple months, but I am easy and always in tow/haul mode.

So I don't consider that too much abuse, more than the average sunday driver, but not to the extent some guys abuse the rears.