Posted this up on TTORA. Just copied and pasted:
There is a lot of misinformation out there on these diffs we've all got. These post is ment to clear the air, with actual facts and measurements taken, NOT hearsay. 5 diffs, Im concerned with:
4cyl (from 79-95 4cyl rear diffs, fronts in 79-85)
Early V6 from 88-95 rears in V6 trucks, and 86-87 rear trubo trucks
E-locker rear
High pinion front
Rear 8.25 or whatever (non-locking, taco rear diff)
NEWS FLASH, these are ALL 8" ring gears. The early 4cyl, is the weakest, with the smallest bearings, least ribbing, and pathetic carrier.
The early v6, used screw in adjuster for backlash and carrier bearing preload. It has a 4 pinion (better) carrier, bigger bearings, and more casting in the case.
The E-locker rear uses the same exact gear as the early V6 does, 10 bolts, 8" ring gear. The bearings are all the same, except the drivers side carrier bearing is much large for the shift mechanism.
The high pinion, from the front of fj80's are just a high pinion v6, or high pinion e-lock. Bearings are identical with low pinion versions.
Now the MYTH cleared up. The 8.25/8.4, whatever is not. It is a 8" gear. The casting is better still. The carrier bearings are shimmed, rather than screw in adjusters. The ring gear has 12 bolts instead of 10. Also, the carrier bearing caps are connected with "girdles" and are cast as one piece. This diff I will simply call the late model v6. The pinion shaft is larger, the bearings are slightly lager and the casting is beefier than earlier versions. However, THE RING GEAR IS NO LARGER THAN EALIER 8" DIFFS!
Just so you all know what you are dealing with with these axles.
There is a lot of misinformation out there on these diffs we've all got. These post is ment to clear the air, with actual facts and measurements taken, NOT hearsay. 5 diffs, Im concerned with:
4cyl (from 79-95 4cyl rear diffs, fronts in 79-85)
Early V6 from 88-95 rears in V6 trucks, and 86-87 rear trubo trucks
E-locker rear
High pinion front
Rear 8.25 or whatever (non-locking, taco rear diff)
NEWS FLASH, these are ALL 8" ring gears. The early 4cyl, is the weakest, with the smallest bearings, least ribbing, and pathetic carrier.
The early v6, used screw in adjuster for backlash and carrier bearing preload. It has a 4 pinion (better) carrier, bigger bearings, and more casting in the case.
The E-locker rear uses the same exact gear as the early V6 does, 10 bolts, 8" ring gear. The bearings are all the same, except the drivers side carrier bearing is much large for the shift mechanism.
The high pinion, from the front of fj80's are just a high pinion v6, or high pinion e-lock. Bearings are identical with low pinion versions.
Now the MYTH cleared up. The 8.25/8.4, whatever is not. It is a 8" gear. The casting is better still. The carrier bearings are shimmed, rather than screw in adjusters. The ring gear has 12 bolts instead of 10. Also, the carrier bearing caps are connected with "girdles" and are cast as one piece. This diff I will simply call the late model v6. The pinion shaft is larger, the bearings are slightly lager and the casting is beefier than earlier versions. However, THE RING GEAR IS NO LARGER THAN EALIER 8" DIFFS!
Just so you all know what you are dealing with with these axles.