my buddy is parting out his 94 runner w/ 4.88's i was wondering if the front will bolt right up to mine b/c i know the rear will.

Yes the front will bolt in. It really isn't considered a 3rd member or drop out. The front IFS uses an enclosed differential, and you unbolt the whole thing without even spilling gear oil <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />. Unbolt everything as one unit, up to the CV shafts.
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You might as well grab a CV shaft or two and also his idler arm as trail spares. With 33's you will be way happier on and off road with 4.88's <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

thanks for the info. i cant wait to get them hopefully he wont change his mind.

If he had ADD (most likely does) and if you don't, consider swapping your side tube on to his diff. That will the install cleaner and give you a stronger set up. You need a new axle seal and need to locate it in a different spot. If you need more info, let us know.

Also, consider pounding the studs on the side axles out and replacing them regular bolts. That will make install easier on you as well as simplifying it if you have to do an axle swap on the trail. Have a second person helping with the front diff to be safe. It's over 80lbs. Good luck.

yeah he has add. lol, multiple meanings there. there is an electical connector on his diff. what do i do w/ that just leave it there and cut the wires off?

I was going to try and answer this yesterday because i know the front diff will bolt in, I just don't know how it having ADD will effect things?

You have a couple of choices. If you decide to just directly his diff over, there are some vacuum lines on the ADD diff that you'll need to plug. The ADD diff defaults to being engaged, so you don't have to worry about that.

If your truck has ADD, then it's just a matter of plugging it in, but it sounds like you have manual hubs.

What I did in the past and what I would recommend, is unbolting the ADD side axle from the 4.88 diff, pulling out the little stub axle and then bolting your side axle housing onto the 4.88 diff housing. This completely eliminates the ADD junk that you don't need or want. In addition, you have a stronger set up, instead of having a 3 piece side axle. However, the 4.88 diff is not going to have seal in between the side axle housing and the diff housing, because it use diff oil to lube the ADD system. You'll need a seal here, because your side axle housing is suppose to be dry.

All you have to do is get a seal from Toyota and then put it in and the bolt up the axle. The diff housing has the area machined for the seal and ready to go.

If you want to get a better idea of how it all looks, check out these two exploded views from the FSM.

This view is with ADD, like your buddies 4.88 diff.

http://www.brian894x4.com/frontdiffwADD.jpg

This view is without ADD, probably like yours.

http://www.brian894x4.com/frontdiffwoADD.jpg

wow mine is way more simple than that add crap. i think im just gonna unbolt the add side of the axle and bolt mine on. will my old diff bolt up to his and work after this so he can at least move it?

You don't need the "front" diff to move the truck. Because he has ADD and not manual hubs, you will need to pull the axles half shafts out, if he's going to actually drive it. Just undo the bolt or clip that holds the axle into the hub and slide them out, once the diff is already out. Then you can pretty much drive it all you want, just no 4WD.

For the rear diff, you can bolt your stock rear diff into his truck so it can be driven and moved. In fact, you will need a diff in the rear axle to move the truck, since the diff supports the axle shafts and thus the tires.

i hate to ask questions about prices but do you have any idea how much all of those seals run for? and also do i have to go to the dealer for them or can i get them at any auto parts store?