Toyota 8" rearend

[Dezertpilot]

I have a leaky Toyota 8" rear end in my 1986 4runner. I just noticed after that MDR night race this morning that the pinion seal is bad and it is leaking. If I take it to a shop do they have to pull the 3rd member out or can they replace the part while the 4rd member is still in the rear end? If not I think I am going to take it over to PDC for a regear and possibly a spool with all new bearings and seals. Can u put a crush sleave eliminator in this 3rd member and how hard would a spool be on the rear end? The rear end probably has about 275,000 miles on it. Or would u stray away from the spool on a rear end with this many miles? I know about the affects of a spool on the driving situation but was wondering how hard its gonna be on the axles.

[matt_helton]

dont spool it if your gonna keep driving it on the street.

and you can change the pinion seal without pulling the 3rd member.

[Dezertpilot]

Matt why not spool on the streets? I know u can learn to drive "around" a spool but I need a traction aiding device for the washes and I was thinking about a spool. I know they make noise and all but besides that Pete Albano says his ranger with the spool is fine. Its cheap and practically indestructable. Any other reasons? And I was thinking 4.88's how about that with the 33's and 5 speed?

[matt_helton]

its hard on tires and even harder on axles. i twisted the splines on my dr. side axle from driving my truck around the neighborhood.

4.88's and 33's is a good combo.

[Dezertpilot]

So I could bet on axle failure quickly? I see what about if I relaced them with some chromoly axles then? Its more $ that I don't have but I just might do the axle upgrade at the same time. If I dont do the axles then just stay peg legged?

[matt_helton]

just save up a few more bucks and put a Detroit Locker it. i had one in the 8" on the SY1 and loved it. and it was tough as nails too.

[Ryan_P]

Eric Hampton runs a spool in his ranger and has had zero problems; 9'' with 31 spline axles as well. He used to DD it when it was leaf sprung, but not sure now that it is link.

IMO, do as Helton said Ryan, get a Detroit Locker and be done with it. You will be MUCH happier in the long run and you'll end up spending the money on tires in the long run.

[ntsqd]

If it's just that the seal has failed then the 3rd doesn't have to come out. IME though, the seal fails b/c the crush sleave has relaxed and allows the pinion yoke to move around slightly. So check for that first.

IMHO whom ever came up with crush sleaves should be shot! For me it's worth the cost of the solid spacer for the piece of mind.

Even a Detroit scuffs the tires, but not as bad as a spool will. I've been thinking of yanking Patch's Detroit and going to the electric locking Tru-Trac.

[therail]

why not an ARB air locker? youve got a spool when you need it, and a diff when you dont. plus youll have on board air.

[Dezertpilot]

I am going to be running a spool cuz they are practically indestructable and I am on a budget but want to do some gears/T.A.D. and a freshen up of the 3rd member while I am at it because the mileage is high. I think I will be taking it in next Monday to PDC so there goes another upgrade with no more $ haha.:)

[Dezertpilot]

Well I went and bought a full spool, 4.88's, crush sleave eliminator, nice hex head drian plug, and a R&P setup kit and I am going to have PDC do the install next Tuesday and they said that I should have it done by the end of the day. I have heard nothing but awesome comments about them. Next step is to run the chromoly axles and then disk breaks. I didn't want to spend the money on the stock housing but I feel it will be worth the upgrades to be able to run faster in the sand washes. Oh and I am also having them replace the pinion seal but I bet that is already in the deal. Thanx for the help everyone. Should be awesome being able to pull 75 to 80 or more up the cajon instead of 60-65 mph.:)

[matt_helton]

why did you even ask about the spool if you were just gonna go ahead and do it anyways......lol

[Dezertpilot]

Haha Matt. Nah I was weighing my options and decided since I wanted a whole new Tubeworks assembly but I was on a beer budget I thought I would just go with what I mentioned. Now I gotta get used to a spool on the streets but I don't think that will be hard at all.

[ntsqd]

why not an ARB air locker? youve got a spool when you need it, and a diff when you dont. plus youll have on board air.

Have you ever seen that compressor? You aren't going to be filling tires with it anytime soon.

[Dezertpilot]

Well after I save up some more $ I will be on a quest for the ultimate 8" rear axle. I will be using my new 3rd member with a fully fabricated housing that my 3rd member will drop right into. I will also be using a full floater conversion with disk breaks and custom chro mo axles. I am doing this in steps cuz of $ but will be very nice and stout in the end and it will be perfect for my 4runner. Ill keep u guys updated who are interested. And I do KNOW that I could have gone with a fabbed 9" but this will be something different and fit my app. better..well sorta. So now comments like, "Why u coulda went 9" ", that is not my intentions.

[baja_driver]

just save up a few more bucks and put a Detroit Locker it. i had one in the 8" on the SY1 and loved it. and it was tough as nails too.

had the "lock-rite" in an 89 yota. was not bad on the street..you have to get used to it but for $300..and a few hours work it was well worth it. push in the clutch on corners and it was fine..click click click.

[johnnyweb]

wy are going to sink $$$ into an 8" rearend. dump it and put a 9" ford in it.

[matt_helton]

cus he is stubborn. lol

[mfs]

i say spool is the way to go. i hate the lock right and Detroit Locker, i just drives funney even on the freeway when u let of the gas it steers a little. i had a welded diff on my 88 toyota 4x w a chevy v8 (chevota) and never broke a axle boke the center pin 1 time, tire wear was not that bad. olny realy noticed it in the parking lot when u turn sharp.also did this to my 2wd toyota w/ a v6 and broke 2 axles (not at the same time) most from landing the rear w/ the gas on.

[Dezertpilot]

Like I said I guess I could run the 9" but then I couldnt build it up in steps. If I am not happy through the build I can always stop and go do the 9" route. This is just a little experiment I guess. Why wouldnt a floater fabbed rear end work really well? I think it will be fine for my app I only have 200 hp and even less torque.

[mfs]

should work great. with the good parts and proper install.