Anyone Have a Diff Torn Apart Right Now or Truetrac Installed?

[LateOnTheBrakes]

I'm trying to get my local shop to order a Truetrac differential (PN 913A541) to install in my 2009. The Eaton catalog says they only fit 1995-2005 and the guys at Eaton swear the ring gear is bigger got bigger than the 8" (8.4) of previous years. My shop won't order or install the part unless I can verify it fits. I know several people on here have installed this unit. Did anyone get a picture of the it installed or have a spare ring gear sitting around where they could take a photo of it with a ruler spanning the diameter?

 

[sdxrunner619]

I'm trying to get my local shop to order a Truetrac differential (PN 913A541) to install in my 2009. The Eaton catalog says they only fit 1995-2005 and the guys at Eaton swear the ring gear is bigger got bigger than the 8" (8.4) of previous years. My shop won't order or install the part unless I can verify it fits. I know several people on here have installed this unit. Did anyone get a picture of the it installed or have a spare ring gear sitting around where they could take a photo of it with a ruler spanning the diameter?

Your diff shop shouldn't be anywhere around Toyota rear ends if they don't know the 12bolt rear end (8.4/8.25") (internals) hasn't changed at all in since its introduction in the t-100. The carriers and axle housings have changed, slightly, but the guts remain the same. Toyota REAR Ring gears on the v6/turbo pickups (pre 95) AND Tacoma trucks are BOTH 8"s across the ring gears. The difference being the older style diffs (the V6/turbo) use a 10 bolts to hold the ring gear on vs 12 on all the Tacoma's (non TRD e-lockers). All non TRD e-locker Tacoma's (both 1st and 2nd gen) use the same diffs and 100% interchangeable.

For instance, my first diff came out of '01Tacoma, And my current one came out of a t-100.

You need to find a better rear end shop...

If you want proof, just about any reputable rear end/diff shop online or local can vouch for the fact it will work just fine in your truck. :top:

This guy built up one helluva bible on the subject...

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

and some more....note the vehicles it works for...

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.php/8-25-8-4-toyota-ring-and-pinion-differential-gears.html

 

[LateOnTheBrakes]

The person that is claiming it will not work is the guy that answers the phone for differential customer support at Eaton/Detroit who makes the Truetrac. The shop I was going to have do the work specializes in building LS series motors and tuning corvettes and F-body cars. They change a lot of GM and Ford 9" rear ends. They did good work with my GTO and I figured they have assembled more diffs than your average shop. There are a few places in town that lift trucks and probably have more experience with Toyotas, but I feel like taking a lowered truck into that kind of shop would be setting myself up for sabotage.

 

[sdxrunner619]

The person that is claiming it will not work is the guy that answers the phone for differential customer support at Eaton/Detroit who makes the Truetrac. The shop I was going to have do the work specializes in building LS series motors and tuning corvettes and F-body cars. They change a lot of GM and Ford 9" rear ends. They did good work with my GTO and I figured they have assembled more diffs than your average shop. There are a few places in town that lift trucks and probably have more experience with Toyotas, but I feel like taking a lowered truck into that kind of shop would be setting myself up for sabotage.

Now, your implying then that the guy who works in customer support even knows how to assemble a rear end, and isn't just reading off of a parts catalog....:laugh: The fact that the catalog says "The Eaton catalog says they only fit 1995-2005", makes no sense either as the 2nd gen Tacoma came out in 05...and hasn't changed (for the most part, lights/grill, air injection, lack of LSD...) since....

I'm willing to bet they never updated the compatibility listing for the Trutrac when the 2nd gen's came out...

They did good work on your GTO because they specialize in GMs....hence why they are so apprehensive about this....they obliviously don't know jack shit about Toyota rear ends, otherwise that diff would be on order, and being isntalled instead of having this pointless debate.... Find a shop that knows a thing or too about Toyota trucks, on road or off road. :top:

 

[Gadget]

The diff is the same size for all Tacomas without the factory E-Locker.

The diff size did change on the 2010 4Runner and FJ from previous year FJ and 4Runners, but that was always different than the Tacoma.

G

 

[sdxrunner619]

The diff is the same size for all Tacomas without the factory E-Locker.

G

And the man has spoken:adore:

Good luck on your quest for a reputable shop.:top:

 

[Edgeman]

The diff is the same size for all Tacomas without the factory E-Locker.

The diff size did change on the 2010 4Runner and FJ from previous year FJ and 4Runners, but that was always different than the Tacoma.

G

Thought the "e-locker" diff started with the 2009 XR. 05-08 Xs were the only ones with the clutch type LSD, right?

 

[sdxrunner619]

Thought the "e-locker" diff started with the 2009 XR. 05-08 Xs were the only ones with the clutch type LSD, right?

Auto lsd is a traction control system. it utilizes the wheel speed sensors, and trys to control wheel spin by applying the brakes. That is what comes on 09+ XR's. The actual diff its self is your standard, run of the mill, open diff.

E-locker, is a electronic locker that can lock both rear axles together, effectively giving you a 100% locked rear end. No slip. That diff is unique because the axle housing, diff carrier, ring/pinion, are all damn similar to pre 95 Toyota pick ups v6/turbo rear ends. Nothing is interchangeable between non e-locker rear ends, and normal 8.4/8.25/12bolt rear ends.

 

[Gadget]

Thought the "e-locker" diff started with the 2009 XR. 05-08 Xs were the only ones with the clutch type LSD, right?

I guess I should of said all V6 Tacomas. The older 4 cylinder trucks had smaller diffs.

No, the e-Locker is an electric locker that came on some of the off road 4x4 packages. It is an electric locker, not an LSD. The e-Locker trucks use the smaller 8" diff from the 4Runners with the e-Lockers.

This is totally different than the auto LSD that uses the ABS system to prevent rear wheel spin.

G

 

[sdxrunner619]

I guess I should of said all V6 Tacomas. The older 4 cylinder trucks had smaller diffs.

No, the e-Locker is an electric locker that came on some of the off road 4x4 packages. It is an electric locker, not an LSD. The e-Locker trucks use the smaller 8" diff from the 4Runners with the e-Lockers.

This is totally different than the auto LSD that uses the ABS system to prevent rear wheel spin.

G

So there were some 4cyl Tacomas that used the older style diff?

 

[Gadget]

What is an older style diff?

G

 

[sdxrunner619]

What is an older style diff?

G

The 8"/v6 diff from the Toyota pickups/4runners.

 

[LateOnTheBrakes]

That's what I thought, and I know several people on here have installed the unit. But the guy at Eaton and their application guide says it's only for '95-'05 (page 8) and from his understanding the taco was supposed to get a bigger ring gear for the newer gen models. I'm not doubting anyone has installed it, just hoping for photographic evidence so to put me and the shop I'm using at ease. I also contacted several off-road truck places in the area to see if any of them have experience with newer tacos to know the fit guide and they won't place an order for the part unless Eaton says it will fit. I'm tempted to just buy the factory third member with the posi style diff from the '05-'08 trucks. I don't have an '08 VIN to verify, but the part number I'm finding is 41110‑35B40.

http://www.eaton.com/ecm/groups/public/@pub/@eaton/@per/documents/content/ct_128302.pdf

Differentials
1-800-328-3850
differentials@eaton.com

 

[Edgeman]

Auto lsd is a traction control system. it utilizes the wheel speed sensors, and trys to control wheel spin by applying the brakes. That is what comes on 09+ XR's. The actual diff its self is your standard, run of the mill, open diff.

E-locker, is a electronic locker that can lock both rear axles together, effectively giving you a 100% locked rear end. No slip. That diff is unique because the axle housing, diff carrier, ring/pinion, are all damn similar to pre 95 Toyota pick ups v6/turbo rear ends. Nothing is interchangeable between non e-locker rear ends, and normal 8.4/8.25/12bolt rear ends.

Thanks for the clarification! Sounds like what Toyota offers in the FJ. By the way, does Toyota sell new clutch packs for the 05-08 LSDs, or do they just sell the entire unit?

 

[LateOnTheBrakes]

You can buy the clutch pack or hole diff unit. The entire "hogs head" or "third member" including the ring, pinion, and everything set is like $1600 from Sparks Toyota. A diff is around $500, new bearings are about $200, and then whatever your shop charges for install. And then you hope they get the install right or you will chew up the ring and pinion.

 

[Edgeman]

You can buy the clutch pack or hole diff unit. The entire "hogs head" or "third member" including the ring, pinion, and everything set is like $1600 from Sparks Toyota. A diff is around $500, new bearings are about $200, and then whatever your shop charges for install. And then you hope they get the install right or you will chew up the ring and pinion.

Excellent advice! I'm currently taking the Manual Transmission & Differential class at my local CC, so I shouldn't have any problem setting the backlash & preload.

 

[STONER-X]

do i sniff a F-the-shop mod :smile:

 

[LateOnTheBrakes]

That is my first inclination. I guess if it goes together and I don't like the contact pattern between the ring and pinion I can take it to the shop for fine adjustment.

 

[sdxrunner619]

Excellent advice! I'm currently taking the Manual Transmission & Differential class at my local CC, so I shouldn't have any problem setting the backlash & preload.

That is my first inclination. I guess if it goes together and I don't like the contact pattern between the ring and pinion I can take it to the shop for fine adjustment.

LOTB (lateonthebrakes) Order the diff directly through Eaton, and install it all your self, the actual process is VERY straight forward and can be done in a few hours. :topo take a word of caution....

Take from someone who tried going the cheap route, and doing it themselves.... As much as it sounds appealing to do the final adjustment check your self, just take it to a shop and have them do the adjustments. If you wanna install the Trutrac your self, go for it, but id just take it there with everything ready to go, and pay them to set the back lash and what not. That will be MORE then enough evidence to prove it works. Our style diffs require is shim kit, and with out, getting it spot on is impossible with out the shim kit....you might get lucky, and it wont need any adjustment, though that is almost never the case....Older style Toyota diffs, you turn two nuts on each side to adjust the backlash/preload.... a new ring and pinion aint cheap, and it IS NOT worth gamble, do it right the first time...:top:


Here is a tip, LOTB, if you do it your self... place your ring gear in the oven @ 180 degrees for about 30 min, it will slide right over the diff no problem, as it is an interference fit. Make sure you start all 12 bolts before it cools down too much. torque in a star pattern AND in a couple steps, like 30lbft, 60lbft, then final 92lbft. Lock-tite is not a bad idea on the threads either....


LOTB, this attachment is taken straight from TIS... This is for AL 05-13 2nd gen Tacomas. The idiot at Eaton keep saying the newer Tacoma got bigger ring gears (06 and up in his eyes...)....see, a '05 Tacoma is 2nd gen, i.e NEWER Tacoma. 04 was the last year for the "early" Tacomas. :hmmmm2::motz:Note the ring gear size...

 

[LateOnTheBrakes]

Yeah, he claims the axles got bigger too. As much as I want the Truetrac I may just pick up the entire clutch pack diff assembly from Toyota and when it wears out I have a the open diff spare in which I can install the Truetrac.