Looking to id 3rd member. 2003 2WD tundra

I have a tundra , 2003 v 6 2WD. Vin
5TBJN32153S412521, trying to find out what 3rd member it has . It’s making a whining noise. S mechanic friend of mine who works on heavy equipment wants to open it up and shim it but I think I’d be better off replacing it. The truck only has 114k miles and is in good shape so I Dont mind spending a little money

 

If you're meaning gear ratio....it should be 4.083 ??

You can double check with these instructions....

 

Should be on drivers side door label.

Sometimes bearings are very hard to pinpoint and a diff noise can be misdiagnosed (not saying that's what is happening). Does yours whine on acceleration and/or deceleration only? Is it constant (wheel bearing perhaps)?

If you do end up opening it BUY YOURSELF A TRUTRAC - you'll thank yourself later

Also check out this link https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/ and please consider posting the results of your endeavor back here for the group and future visitors.

 

I’m no mechanic just a sort of back yard mechanism. I agree with my friends rear end diagnosis because when I first got I drove it to maine and checking the whining noise no lube in the rear end. Filled it up. Whining noise disappears going up hills. I can make it disappear on the highway letting off throttle. I say the rear end called 3rd member and came in 7,8.2 and 8.4. That coincides with gear Ratios?

 

No that's just the sizing. Gear ratios are different. 8.4 is what you need, 4.10 is close to stock and won't matter since your 2wd anyway.

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-788575-tacoma-8-4-non-eld-t100-tundra-3rd.html

Other option would be to try some salvage yards or www.car-part.com and pick up a whole used axle to swap out instead of just the 3rd member.

 

Just make sure the whole used axle is from the same cab-type of truck, and ideally the same year. Axle widths differ with double cabs and Seqoias. IIRC, the access and regular cab should interchange.

 

Thank you very much