4.90 diff set 8''+7.5'' worth it?

[94cnytoy]

I have a chance to buy a matched 4.90 fact toyota differential set. 8'' rear dropout and front ifs center section. Used. w/100,000 miles.
$650.
I know i can get a new set of gears for that.
I also know it will cost me an additonal $500
in my area to have them set up.
then, there's always the chance that I'd need a new carrier or er's.
Changing the drop outs is real easy. Im thinking of using these aas trail gears only(truck is my DD)
if I do this, I may drop aussi or lockrights in then too.
Am I crazy to want to swap drop-outs back and forth???
I'd only do it twice a year maybe....
or is this whole plan just stupid?
please, pull no punches. I surely don't....

[MattBC]

It looks like an OK price to me ... factory gears , no need to have them installed. Thi sis dreamland !

In regards to swapping 3rd members .... I can not see anyone doing it more than ONCE

I always thought I'd swap the mudders for cityslicker tires during the week .. have never done it once ..

Matt

[94cnytoy]

1) thanks for the opinion.
2) please, please, being a new member, go in to your user profile and tell us a little about yourself.
(new member always seems to forget)
3) I'm that guy that has changed tire sets 3 times in one day......
I had to actually get new studs and lug nuts to keep up with the "action"
but, yes, I have advanced to a set of all-around tires and rarely swap anymore.

I think my diff-swap actions would be limited to "hell-of-a-weekend" action only.

I'd never run a locker here in the winter anyway.

[MattBC]

1) Anytime and get those suckers. Take in mind they are alos perfectly installed those gears... no problems with shot bearings and worn gears later on.

2) you are right .. this sort of slipped .. will take care of it later

3) I recommend: Get these things and try swapping ..when you get sick of swapping members then you leave the gears in there that work best for you and get rid of the others.

In regards to swapping them in for the hell of a weekend .... I did this with my tires and there was one trip that was supposed to be calm and ended up mud whelling and instead on rolling there on 32" Mud Terrians I was still in the city slicker 31" All terrain and let me tell you:

It was not pretty!

It was the first and only time i was so helplessly stuck that I had to be pulled out. And I am running lockers rear and front. Ever since there is no more swapping!

What I am saying is: There will be the times when you didnt swap and it will haunt you because JEEPS may pull you out


Matt

[94cnytoy]

thanks,
but, I'm not a person who is offended or embarrassed when someone helps me.(re:j**P comment)
If I get stuck or break down, its my fault, not the toyota's and If someone is willing to help me(or anyone) well, god bless'm
my only locker concern is I live in central New York ice,snow,rain.
maybe i've just grown to that magic decision of DD versus trail truck.
Just hate to have another non-toy to haul it around...

[MattBC]

I was kidding about the Jeep pulling you out .. I am actually one of these guys who likes Jeeps ... You gotta applaud jeep to bring something like the rubicon!

I am not a friend of automatic lockers and see your concern. I wouldnt drive these on pavement, or anywhere else for that matter.

For these reasons I run ARB's ... Maybe look into getting a manual locker....

I also realized this DD problem and ended up driving a beater in town and the truck offroad only

Costwise its the same insurance for the beater cost as much as I would use up in gas, rubber and wear on the truck.

Not talking about the occasionl idiot who rearends you and smashes up the truck you spent hours working on ...

Matt

[94cnytoy]

thinkin about a 5-7 yr old neon daily driver. can get one here for 15-2500 bucks. what the hell, gut it, paint it mono-tone,put a coffee-can muffler on it. then beat the sh*t out of it. replacement motors are only 400-600 bucks......
just hate to drive a car though.....
(wouldn't mind a new toy avalon loaded......)