Thoughts On Next Big Upgrade for my 4th Gen 4Runner

I’ve been having an internal debate on what my next big upgrade should be for my 4th Gen 4Runner.
I’ve been reading a lot about the prominence of failures in our 8.0 rear differential and it’s making me think long and hard about what I want to do about it.  I am not an extreme wheeler, but I want to make sure that I have something that won’t leave me high and dry in the middle of nowhere.
The options I’m currently weighing are:
  1. Rebuild the current 8.0 with a solid pinion spacer from East Coast Gear Supply (ECGS)
    • Will be stronger than OEM crush sleeve spacer
    • BUT, it’s still the undersized 8.0 rear diff that is prone to blowing up in off-road use, especially with bigger tires.
  2. Find an FJ Cruiser e-locker diff, and have it rebuilt with solid pinion spacer from ECGS and retrofit it into my axle housing.
    • Will be stronger than OEM crush sleeve spacer
    • E-Locker will help reduce excessive wheel spin which can reduce wheel hop and ultimately reduce some stresses on the rear.
    • Still same undersized 8.0
    • Will have to permanently modify my rear axle housing, which makes me nervous in the event that something doesn’t go as planned.
  3. Find an FJ Cruiser e-locker diff and housing, and have it rebuilt with solid pinion spacer from ECGS and swap my full axle assembly.
    • Will be stronger than OEM crush sleeve spacer
    • E-Locker will help reduce excessive wheel spin which can reduce wheel hop and ultimately reduce some stresses on the rear.
    • Still same undersized 8.0
  4. Find a late model (2010+) FJ Cruiser, or 5th Gen 4Runner rear axle assembly with the 8.2 differential.
    • Direct bolt on swap
    • Bigger R&P and very few documented blow ups in it’s factory configuration
    • More expensive than sourcing an 8.0
  5. Find a late model (2010+) FJ Cruiser, or 5th Gen 4Runner rear axle assembly with the 8.2 differential with e-locker.
    • Even more expensive to source!

The biggest factor is will it be worth the added cost would be worth the improved strength and performance.

Decision coming soon — stay tuned!

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jim
jim
5 years ago

Looking at the same dilemma as you now, and the same options. I have an 05 4 runner which means 3.73 gears in the rear diff. I know that the 07-09 FJ has 3.73 with the auto, does this continue with the 2010+ FJ’s?. I know I cant use the manual as it has 3.91 from an FJ. Would be nice to get the complete rear end and swap it with a 8.2 and locker.