Grenaded front diff! Now what?

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I just picked up a 2003 Lexus 100 series. I thought the front diff is upgraded to the 4pin front diff. That still is not strong enough? What about this oil through the ARB locker air tube?
 
Call Nitro. They will quote you out for both scenarios. No need to panic and flail about Mud looking for info that may or may not be correct. Another thing, if there is a Detroit option, you don't want it in an all wheel drive truck and you doubly don't want it if you live where there is ice or snow. Bunch of guys have been where you are before. Just relax and make a phone call, then check email, read quote, then go to CEO with your best backup for why you need a locked third delivered to your door. (My opinion is that regearing a Hundy isn't all that important)
 
bluecruiser said:
Call Nitro. They will quote you out for both scenarios. No need to panic and flail about Mud looking for info that may or may not be correct. Another thing, if there is a Detroit option, you don't want it in an all wheel drive truck and you doubly don't want it if you live where there is ice or snow. Bunch of guys have been where you are before. Just relax and make a phone call, then check email, read quote, then go to CEO with your best backup for why you need a locked third delivered to your door. (My opinion is that regearing a Hundy isn't all that important)
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It's the weekend so no answer at Nitro, Just Differentials, and the two other local drivetrain shops. Already tried. I need to have a plan figured out and parts ready to order by tomorrow morning when my mechanic yanks the 3rd member and is ready to install what I want. It's winter and this is my winter vehicle. I need it back on the road asap. I'm doing what I can on my end to make sure tomorrow morning I'm ready to move forward with the repair. In regards to a detroit and living in the snow, I would have to disagree. I have lived up here for 11 years and had a detroit trutrac in 2 of my Jeeps up front. The WJ has AWD and it did great. I would not put a full detroit locker up front but the trutrac has done fantastic in the snow and on pavement on some of my last rigs. I will either go selectable or limited slip(trutrac). I'm just not sure detroit even makes a trutrac for the front of our 100's. Have not seen any vendors with one. If it does exist, that is what I will be getting. Probably go with a new set of stock 4.10 Nitro or OEM gears with a trutrac. I just can't afford a full front and rear regear right now.
 
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bhicks said:
Yesterday the county opened up the roads to my house finally. Decided to head up the mountain to see how bad the snow was. Got to my road and had to deal with a huge six foot tall snow burm. Brilliant me, I decided to try to climb over it in the 100. Got high centered give it gas and kaboom went the front diff. I had to get a neighbor to yank me off the burm. I broke off about six teeth off the ring gear. I need to know what is a good alternative for this fix. Don't ask. I was just being stupid. What are my front locker options? Can I buy a complete OEM front diff assembly that just drops in or do I need to rebuild the front assembly with OEM parts? I'm getting ready to run 34s so are 4.56 gears available for the 100? This is an 03 LX470. How does a front locker affect the a-track? Sorry for all the questions but I just want to figure out what I should do with this situation and I need to get parts ordered ASAP. With all the snow I need this 100 roadworthy soon.
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Carl at just differentials took care of me, TJM (instead of arb) front locker is what he suggested. I'm also doing new gearing front and rear too.

bhicks said:
I have been thinking about my purchase for the last few hours. My wife reminded me that I just ordered the BIOR rear bumper and front diff drop PLUS I just recently got the white knuckle sliders on. My budget is just about tapped out. That means I probably need to stick with the factory gearing so I don't have to regear the rear. Who has a good price and a complete OEM drop in 3rd member? I tried to go to the cruiser outfitters site but it's not working. Not sure if it's my computer or their site that is the issue.
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Call carl, his prices are way better than OEM. I just went down this road.......

bhicks said:
It's the weekend so no answer at Nitro, Just Differentials, and the two other local drivetrain shops. Already tried. I need to have a plan figured out and parts ready to order by tomorrow morning when my mechanic yanks the 3rd member and is ready to install what I want. It's winter and this is my winter vehicle. I need it back on the road asap. I'm doing what I can on my end to make sure tomorrow morning I'm ready to move forward with the repair. In regards to a detroit and living in the snow, I would have to disagree. I have lived up here for 11 years and had a detroit trutrac in 2 of my Jeeps up front. The WJ has AWD and it did great. I would not put a full detroit locker up front but the trutrac has done fantastic in the snow and on pavement on some of my last rigs. I will either go selectable or limited slip(trutrac). I'm just not sure detroit even makes a trutrac for the front of our 100's. Have not seen any vendors with one. If it does exist, that is what I will be getting. Probably go with a new set of stock 4.10 Nitro or OEM gears with a trutrac. I just can't afford a full front and rear regear right now.
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carl@justdifferentials.com
 
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One last question. Did detroit ever release a trutrac for the 100 front? I have looked over a few old threads and got conflicting answers. I think folks are mixing up the trutrac and the full detroit locker and thinking they are the same thing. The trutrac is a limited slip and seperate from the locker. Hopefully it or a similar limited slip is available.
 
Eaton Detroit website lists one fwiw.
 
lead62 said:
Eaton Detroit website lists one fwiw.
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Got a link to where you saw that? I'm on their website but only see truetracs for the 80 series. What is the ring gear size for the front 100 series? I see a "8.4" 4-pinion(w)" listed for 1990-2007 Toyotas with part #913A612. No reference to a 100 series or if it's a front or rear application but on summitracing.com it shows it's for a "Toyota-Front Application". Is that the truetrac your talking about?

This was the best deal I could find on that model.
913A612 Detroit Truetrac Limited Slip Land Cruiser 8"
I just need to verify if it will work on the front of a 100.
 
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That's the one I believe. Downloaded their app guide and it showed same number for 90-2007 so don't know if it will help you.
 
913A612 is the part number for 90 til 2007 8.4
 
bluecruiser said:
Call Nitro. They will quote you out for both scenarios. No need to panic and flail about Mud looking for info that may or may not be correct. Another thing, if there is a Detroit option, you don't want it in an all wheel drive truck and you doubly don't want it if you live where there is ice or snow. Bunch of guys have been where you are before. Just relax and make a phone call, then check email, read quote, then go to CEO with your best backup for why you need a locked third delivered to your door. (My opinion is that regearing a Hundy isn't all that important)
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Regearing is necessary because as far as I know, Nitro is out of stock gearing, for now. So, regearing was my best option, no additional cost besides install and it improves the vehicle overall. I have 33's now and will get 35's. Especially after this debacle. I figure, with front and rear lockers I might as well go all out!

mystican said:
I just picked up a 2003 Lexus 100 series. I thought the front diff is upgraded to the 4pin front diff. That still is not strong enough? What about this oil through the ARB locker air tube?
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Yes, it has a 4 pin, not sure its any stronger. Others have more experience. Just Differentials sells both arb and TJM lockers but prefer the TJM because it has few moving parts and less seals. I trust them, they know what they are talking about.
 
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OEM gears are at least twice as expensive as Nitros stock gearing setup. Hopefully, for @bhicks case they are getting them back in stock soon. Or regearing will be the only option to get back on road for winter. Good luck with getting it back together. If this would have only been an issue with a Chevy, could have everything needed in one trip to any parts house.


Sent from my iPhone
 
Nick T said:
Harrop sells the Detroit trutrac, might not be what you need since it would have to come from Oz.
Truetrac Differential Toyota 8" 30 Spline Front
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That has the same part number as the one posted above but cost twice as much. Looks like it will work. I have now found that same true-trac on a half dozen different websites and a couple mention the 100 series front. Looks like that is what I will be ordering with the 4.10 nitro gears. Just gotta keep my fingers crossed that somebody has the factory gearing in stock.
 
I have a front diff with ring gear from an 06 100 series. The pinion gear roller bearing failed and welded the inner race to the pinion gear, the mechanics replaced the whole 3rd and I ended up with a perfectly good diff with attached ring gear. PM me if you're interested.
 
Landseer said:
I have a front diff with ring gear from an 06 100 series. The pinion gear roller bearing failed and welded the inner race to the pinion gear, the mechanics replaced the whole 3rd and I ended up with a perfectly good diff with attached ring gear. PM me if you're interested.
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PM sent
 
bhicks said:
Where did you find it? That's an e-locker correct? I would need the wiring harness, dash button, and a few other small things beyond just the locker right?
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Rear locker won't work in the front diff.

mystican said:
I just picked up a 2003 Lexus 100 series. I thought the front diff is upgraded to the 4pin front diff. That still is not strong enough?
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Depends on the situation and how frisky you like to get with the skinny pedal. In the microcosm of Mud, the reported diff breaks are by far and away 98/99 vs. newer.
 
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sleeoffroad said:
For a cheap fix you can get any take out 4.10 gears from an 80 series. You just have to be aware setting up used gears could lead to gear whine. I would still prefer Toyota oe gears over aftermarket.
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Think I would get the gear whine if I dropped in a complete low miles 3rd member? I have two options that have popped up for a complete 3rd. I also have a used low miles open carrier with ring gear still installed that is available. If on a budget, would my best option be to just swap out the carrier and ring gear or the complete 3rd member?
 
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