Axle Woes: Owner Seeks Advice on Tacoma’s Rear Axle

What are the differences between a 1st gen Toyota Tacoma rear axle and a 2nd gen Tacoma rear axle? Got the answer? Head to the forums!

“What are the differences between a 1st gen Tacoma rear axle and a 2nd gen Tacoma rear axle?” That’s the question that launched a cool new thread by YotaTech forum member “Harvey Wheeler.”

Got the answer and think you can help out a fellow Toyota truck owner? Check out his full thread here, and join the conversation.

“I have been looking for an 8.4″ rear axle assembly and or 3rd member for a 2000 Tacoma 4×4 Regular Cab 3RZ 5-speed with 4.3 axles non-ABS,” he adds.

Also See: Toyota Tacoma First Generation Rear Axle Assembly

“They seem to be hard to find (eBay) or very expensive…  I am just curious what would have to change to put one of those in? Is the spring pad location the same? …Does anybody have experience with this or am I better just rebuilding the current 3rd member?”

“Buying a used 3rd member that is 20 years old would be risky without knowing the history and milage,” warns fellow forum member Malcolm99, who also provided a few useful links for more info.

Join the YotaTech forums now!

David Ciminelli

Los Angeles-based journalist David Ciminelli has covered everything from high-profile Lexus and Toyota reveals to reality TV show competitions focusing on custom automotive mods. He considers the "Droptops & Dirt" event in Malibu, “Luftgekühlt” and Sunset GT among his favorite automotive events to cover.

He has also interviewed artists like Megadeth and Jennifer Lopez, handled red carpet interviews at the MTV VMAs, and covered rock icons Rush getting a star on Hollywood Boulevard for media including The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, Out Magazine, IN Los Angeles and more. His byline has also appeared in Billboard, Ad Week, Backstage and Art Voice.

Currently, David contributes to over a dozen automotive websites, including Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Club Lexus, Rennlist, Chevrolet Forum, Corvette Forum, Team Speed and Harley-Davidson Forums.