Rear Differential Issues on 1999 Tacoma TRD with elocker

[mattew]

Hi,

I recently bought a 1999 Tacoma that has some issues with the Rear Differential. Its the TRD model with V6 and factory rear locker. My mechanic said it sounded like something major like one of the gears.

Any suggestions on what to do? I got a quote for ~1700 for a used rear diff but that is a lot more than I would like to spend. What would you do if this was your truck?

Matt

 

[Phares]

I would say crack it open and take a look. Post some pictures. Someone here will help.

 

[KLF]

Can you describe the "issues"?

Have you drained the fluid to see if there are any metal chunks stuck to the magnet in the drain plug?

It would help to know your approximate location, so someone could perhaps offer to give you a hand. It's not hard to pull the diff out and check it out, but you sorta need to know what you're doing. Then you can go from there.

$1700 for a used diff is absolute robbery. I paid $500 for my rear e-locker.

 

[jynx]

Agreed with KLF, location for a helping hand would be good.

And $1700 that is a little ridiculous. There was a post in here a few days ago where a mechanic, nothing against yours he may be awesome, but a mechanic told a young lady she needed a big $$ differential repair and after a visit to the "Don" of Diffs, it ended up being a wheel bearing, and she was able to get back home so her father could do the repair.

If you are anywhere near Phoenix I have a guy for you

 

[snobdds]

There is a guy in the "hardcore" forum that just rebuilt his elocker. It gives lots of good pics on the inside of the elocker and what your dealing with. This guy makes it look easy...I mean he only put a 2UZ in an 80 series.

Starts at post 429
https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/341445-project-effjjay-eighty-2uz-powered-22.html

This is some good reading to at least let you know what your up aginst.

 

[mattew]

I am not a particularly "hardcore" person when it comes to repairs, so I did some calling around based on the advice here and the advice of a friend. The folks at 4 wheel parts in Westminster, CO are going to troubleshoot it for me. They said worst case if everything needed to be replaced it would be at most $1,000 which sounded a lot more reasonable to me. Hopefully it is something minor.