Toyota Gear Styles - Differences between 7.5", 8", 9.5", and more

Frankly, when you go to buy gears it can be a little confusing at first. There are different sizes that go on different Toyotas with a couple of oddballs. When you’re about to click “Buy now” it’s probably after squinting at the generic-sounding gear description and trying to guess if that’s what you need. So here we go:

Deals!

We are only looking at ring and pinion sets, not differential housings. Make sure to check out our Toyota axle information and also the links at the bottom of the page.

Toyota Differentials and Gear Styles
Known as Found in Front or Rear Ring gear bolts High pinion or low pinion Pinion spline count Pinion nut size Notes
7.5" IFS 1986-1995 IFS pickups and 4Runners, all 1993-1998 T100s Front 10 Low pinion 23
7.5" IFS Late Model, Reverse Cut 7.5", High pinion 7.5" 1995-2003 Tacoma, 2000-2004 Tundra, 1996-2002 4Runners Front 10 High pinion 23 Reverse cut gears
8" short pinion head, 4 cylinder gears 1979-1985 Toyota pickups and 4Runners Front and rear 10 10mm Low pinion 27 30mm
8" long pinion head, V6 gears, turbo gears 1986-1995 Pickups and 4Runners, 1996+ 4Runners Rear 10 10mm Low pinion 27 30mm Note that these are used after 1986 in all trucks and 4Runners with every engine, including 4 cylinders!
8" factory 4.88 1992-1995 trucks and 4Runners with V6, auto tranny, 31" tires, and tow package Rear 10 10mm Low pinion pre-1996 27 30mm VERY SPECIAL! 4 pinion differential
High pinion 8" AKA Reverse cut 8" 1990-1997 FJ80 and FZJ80 Front 10 High pinion 29 Reverse cut gears
9.5" coarse pinion 1969-1978 Land Cruisers Front and rear 12 Low pinion 1969-1978: 10 spline, 1979+: 27 spline 30mm Can upgrade to a fine pinion with a 27 spline flange.
9.5" fine pinion 1979-1997 and earlier Land Cruisers Rear in 80 Series, Front and rear in all other Cruisers 12 Low pinion 27 30mm
Links and Sources

ErikB’s Toyota Differential Info

Randy’s Ring and Pinion

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tyler Branham

Tyler came out of the womb with a Birfield in one hand and a stick of 6010 in the other, ready to weld any piece of trail-busted steel back together. He has wheeled, broken, and modified a variety of rigs, from Toyotas to Jeeps to Fords to Chevies. He likes doing long distance overland travel and would happily spend every night in the bed of a pickup under the stars.

Last updated: June 3, 2019