I am looking at doing an ARB in the rear of my 2005 GX470. I want some aid for my winter driving(snow banks, ice, etc) Tires are stock size and will stay stock size. The old one will be evaluated and thrown on the shelf for a backup.

I am going to be buying a complete differential so I can minimize my downtime and costs. I can afford half day to drop the diff and do brakes. I can't afford 3+ days down for a shop to do it. Pulling it myself saves at least $500 last time I priced it out on another rig.

Is there a bolt-in(ish) rear differential that will work with the stock 2005 GX470?

I thought I saw 8.2" being mentioned but the one website I saw mentioned was DOA.

 

Hope that no one minds me tailgating on this older thread. I'm curious that now after the GX470 lineup has achieved it's 16th to 23rd birthday, and numerous differential upgrades over the years, if there are any differential or axle recommendations for my 03 model with about 175,000 road miles on it. I'm hoping to be able to use it for moderate off road use. By moderate, I mean dirt roads and trails with some rocks of various size, minimal ruts, and fairly moderate inclines / declines in western Colorado. No rock climbing or racing across sand dunes, etc. I've heard that the front diff's on these are weak and that the mounting bracket is also a weak point. The prior owner did do a 3 or 4" lift, a 1" front diff spacer, and added the BF Goodrich All Terrain 285/70/R17 KO2 tires which are about 32". Is the OEM rear diff / axle really durable enough for this type of off-roading? What about the center diff? Any suggestions regarding possible mods that I might seriously consider to the front, rear or center diffs or axles on my old GX would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all