factory 4.88 (1 Viewer)

[Devilmans Hand]

Hello everyone

I saw some factory front and rear 4.88s out of a 1995 v6 4runner on craigslist and had to scoop them up for when i step up in tire size.
I grabbed the rear driveshaft too since another thread mentioned the companion flange bolt pattern being different than what my truck should have.
These will be put into my 1986 4runner that has the 4cyl stock everything.

I'm aware that i cannot regear these as they are rare and no one but Toyota makes replacements.

The 4runner they came out of had 138k on the odo and the gear oil looked clean.

Is there any preventative maintenance i should do while i have the front and rear out?
Are there any problems or modifications i may have to do to install these into my 4runner?
Would i have any issues installing an autolocker in the rear with these compared to other toyota 8" diffs?

I haven't measured the later model driveshaft yet, but would it fit into place of my '864runner driveshaft or will i need to swap the flanges from the universal and back?

thanks for any insight

I won't have the opportunity to install them until other things get fixed, so i'm just planing ahead for some future weekend.

 

[toy4xfun]

you lost me at only Toyota makes them. please explain.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

you lost me at only Toyota makes them. please explain.

The FACTORY 4.88 V6 diff is unique!
- Axle code G144, white pinion paint code,
- generally came in 92-95 trucks/4runners with V6, auto tranny, 31" tires, and tow package.
- Housing offsets pinion towards ring gear, allowing ring gear to be thinner
- OEM Toyota gears are the ONLY gears that fit this diff due to the thinner ring gear. All other gear sets have thicker ring gears and do not fit.
- The carrier (case) is the same as the V6 diffs, so normal V6 lockers, LSD's, etc. will work in this diff

Pasted from this site: Erik's Toyota Differential info

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

Yes I would absolutely without a doubt remove the keepers and mark the adjusters where they are and tighten each side the exact same. I would get at minimum 100 ft lbs on each side but again make sure you adjust them the same amount and then it will not change your backlash. By tightening them you will strengthen the third member significantly. And dont worry about thinking it will put too much load on the bearings that is a myth.

 

[toy4xfun]

if they are that rare and hard to get i would not use them.

 

[Devilmans Hand]

if they are that rare and hard to get i would not use them.

I thought about that. But it was cheaper than any other way to get 4.88s that should just swap right in.
If something does happen to them, then i can always just swap in my stock parts back in. I don't do anything hardcore anyway, so i'm not planning on breaking anything.

 

[toy4xfun]

I thought about that. But it was cheaper than any other way to get 4.88s that should just swap right in.
If something does happen to them, then i can always just swap in my stock parts back in. I don't do anything hardcore anyway, so i'm not planning on breaking anything.

either way i would have to pack them in grease, because some one is gong to be looking for them some day to restore their truck to original, that said i see it even on this sections readers rides section original trucks and restoration of them are something to think about.

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

I have the factory 4:88s because they where cheap. They bolted right in to my 94 22re minitruck. I installed a lockright in the rear. No problems yet.

 

[meigsrock]

The FACTORY 4.88 V6 diff is unique!
- Axle code G144, white pinion paint code,
- generally came in 92-95 trucks/4runners with V6, auto tranny, 31" tires, and tow package.
- Housing offsets pinion towards ring gear, allowing ring gear to be thinner
- OEM Toyota gears are the ONLY gears that fit this diff due to the thinner ring gear. All other gear sets have thicker ring gears and do not fit.
- The carrier (case) is the same as the V6 diffs, so normal V6 lockers, LSD's, etc. will work in this diff

Pasted from this site: Erik's Toyota Differential info

You beat me to it. A great page with a bunch of great info.

I tried to find some used ones but all I was able to find was a front ifs axle with the 4.88 in it so I bought it. It was $250-300 which was ok. Probably cheaper than buying gears and setting it up. I got lucky and found a lightly used 4cyl rear unit with Yukon gears ready to go for same price. Good for my lifted DD truck.

If you buy a locker just make sure it is for that model of rear end, might be a little less selection out there for it.

I would use it. Why buy it just to save it?

 

[Devilmans Hand]

cool. Yea. i got everything for $300 and i figured that a good deal.
Yea, i might restore my cruiser, but not-so-much a 4runner. I want something practical, which is why i got the 4runner.

 

[meigsrock]

That is a great price. Here is a good chart to help when you chose tire size. came from Q&A section.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota-truck-tech/169817-tire-sizes-gears.html

 

[IndianScout]

I had to register just because of this thread, I've got a like new `95 with all the options already listed, they come lifted also, I run 32" tires and have plenty of room, the 4:88's have never left me stranded, they are bullet proof..

I wouldn't trade it for the world..

 

[Devilmans Hand]

I'm liking the 4.88 with 33/1050/15 km2
In the street.
Feels like the truck pulls easier with this combo than stock street tires and stock gear ratio.

Not slow enough for the rocks though. Tcase gearing is really needed to maintain slow speed control in a 5speed.

 

[toyminator]

if they are that rare and hard to get i would not use them.

They aren't that rare. Nearly every 92-95 v6 4Runner with an automatic and tow package got them. I've parted out a few 4runners and every one of them had the 4.88 gearsets.

 

[smokeyssfireblade]

greetings i just recently just picked up 1995 4 runner with 4.88 gears super clean. garage for almost 8 years 120,000 miles i am only getting 200 miles on the tank 65--70 mph not pushing it. what is the average gas millage on your trucks with different set of wheels 31's,32',34's

 

[Hadmatt54]

You talked about lockers...the 4:88 case is the same as the other V6 ratios, but because the 4:88 ring is thinner than the 4:10, 4:30, 4:56 the carrier is different. If you want to install a locker, Detroit, spartan, etc you will have to go with aftermarket 4:88's.

 

[Hadmatt54]

You talked about lockers...the 4:88 case is the same as the other V6 ratios, but because the 4:88 ring is thinner than the 4:10, 4:30, 4:56 the carrier is different. If you want to install a locker, Detroit, spartan, etc you will have to go with aftermarket 4:88's.

It's been several years since I put the spartan in (4:88), I don't think anyone manufacturers one for factory 4:88's

 

[Devilmans Hand]

greetings i just recently just picked up 1995 4 runner with 4.88 gears super clean. garage for almost 8 years 120,000 miles i am only getting 200 miles on the tank 65--70 mph not pushing it. what is the average gas millage on your trucks with different set of wheels 31's,32',34's

I'm getting about 200 mi/tank this winter with 4.88 33" tires, 22re 5sp and maybe 3-5" lift
Mixed driving in Northern Virginia Traffic top speed 55-60mph and a lot of stop lights.Prob about 16mpg
Best mileage I got was last summer in 100degree heat non-stop from NVA to PA cruising about 2600-3000rpm behind my buddy's trailer'd rig. 24mpg that trip. Kind of wish i could recreate that all the time.

You talked about lockers...the 4:88 case is the same as the other V6 ratios, but because the 4:88 ring is thinner than the 4:10, 4:30, 4:56 the carrier is different. If you want to install a locker, Detroit, spartan, etc you will have to go with aftermarket 4:88's.

I have a spartan autolocker made for a v6 diff in the rear of my 4runner with factory 4.88s and have been running it for about a year now.

It's been several years since I put the spartan in (4:88), I don't think anyone manufacturers one for factory 4:88's

 

[Hadmatt54]

You talked about lockers...the 4:88 case is the same as the other V6 ratios, but because the 4:88 ring is thinner than the 4:10, 4:30, 4:56 the carrier is different. If you want to install a locker, Detroit, spartan, etc you will have to go with aftermarket 4:88's.It's been several years since I put the spartan in (4:88), I don't think anyone manufacturers one for factory 4:88's

Talk about brainfarts! I was thinking about the detroit truetrac I installed a few years back and I said spartan. Thanks Devilmans Hand after reading your post I realized what I had said.
The spartan just replaces your spider gears and they work really good. I find my V6 Spartan makes some loud clunks when it disengages such as going around a corner, yet my son's 4 cylinder spartan never makes a sound!

 

[Devilmans Hand]

Talk about brainfarts! I was thinking about the detroit truetrac I installed a few years back and I said spartan. Thanks Devilmans Hand after reading your post I realized what I had said.
The spartan just replaces your spider gears and they work really good. I find my V6 Spartan makes some loud clunks when it disengages such as going around a corner, yet my son's 4 cylinder spartan never makes a sound!

Word.
Yea, my v6 spartan locker is annoying in my daily driver. It makes a little clunk every time I let off the accelerator pedal and pops around most corners.