How to spot an LSD?

[Saavedro88]

First off, while all N/A's came stock with a 4.30:1 differential, most came with an open diff. The LSD was available as a seperate option or as a part of the sport package.

The firewall tag with the car's vin number will identify the diff the car came with... won't help if it's been swapped though:

G284 = 4.30:1 Open
G285 = 4.30:1 LSD
G305 = 3.73:1 LSD
G315 = 3.91:1 LSD

The benefit to a LSD is that if one wheel looses traction the car doesn't dump power through to the one free spinning wheel. For the most part the LSD keeps both wheels moving with equal output. If you want to know more I'd suggest Googling it.

For more information on Toyota differentials and code breakdowns look here: http://toyota.off-road.com/toyota/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=274535


EDIT: It's hard to say that any given end gear is better than the other in a broad scope. It depends entirely on how you drive and what you want. While a 4.30:1 diff will let you put down more power at any given moment it also increases your RPM about 10% at any given speed over a 3.93:1 LSD.

It also reduces your top speed about the same percentage.... granted if you're planning on driving faster than 148MPH frequently then you'd probably already know all this. Wink

The number you're looking for is the one in the "A" category.

 

[kntmikado]

Well, I feel silly. Anyway, my tag's not on the firewall, but rather it's a white sticker on the driver's door opening near the black vent thing. It says "G282" which isn't even in that list. A little googling says that G282 is an open 4.3.

Bummer. Looks like I have to swap diffs after all.

 

[bryanintexas]

Well, I feel silly. Anyway, my tag's not on the firewall, but rather it's a white sticker on the driver's door opening near the black vent thing. It says "G282" which isn't even in that list. A little googling says that G282 is an open 4.3.

Bummer. Looks like I have to swap diffs after all.

Info plate on all Toyotas is on the firewall up until 1989, ....1989 - current, it is located on/in the driver door jamb.

 

[LilMissMkIII]

Very interesting read guys, this is something I was wondering about, thanks for the info

 

[bryanintexas]

The number you're looking for is the one in the "A" category.

(pulled from celica-gts.com)

Toyota Differential Codes

The following is a table of Toyota differential codes. These codes are applicable to all Toyota models and years. You will find this code on the VIN plate in your car, typically on the firewall.

The code is comprised of four digits. The first digit is a letter that represents the ring gear diameter. The second and third digits are numbers that represent the differential ratio (Number of driveshaft rotations for each axel rotation). Lastly the fourth digit is also a number that represents the number of pinion gears and whether or not the unit is equipped with limited slip.

Examples
T382 = 6.7" Ring Gear @ 3.417:1 ratio, 2 pinions w/o LSD
F293 = 7.5" Ring Gear @ 4.10:1 ratio, 2 pinions w/ LSD
F303 = 7.5" Ring Gear @ 3.727:1 ratio, 2 pinions w/ LSD



Differential Codes
First Digit Second/Third Digit Fourth Digit
Ring Size R&P Ratio Pinions/LSD
A = 138mm
B = 145mm
C = 6.25"
D = 6.62"
E = 7.1"
F = 7.5"
G = 8"
H = 9"
J = 9.25"
K = 9.5"
L = 10.5"
M = 12.5"
N = 13.5"
P = 14"
R = 162mm
S = 6.38"
T = 6.7"
U = 6"
V = 10.6"
W = 15.5"
X = 142mm
Y = 158mm
01 = 3.30
02 = 3.36
03 = 3.545
04 = 3.556
05 = 3.70
06 = 3.889
07 = 3.90
08 = 4.111
09 = 4.222
10 = 4.375
11 = 4.444
12 = 4.625
13 = 4.79
14 = 4.875
15 = 5.125
16 = 5.286
17 = 5.60
18 = 5.714
19 = 5.833
20 = 6.167
21 = 6.667
22 = 6.78
23 = 6.833
24 = 7.64
25 = 4.556
26 = 5.571
27 = 3.364
28 = 4.30
29 = 4.10
30 = 3.727
31 = 3.909
32 = 6.591 or 5.583
33 = 7.503 or 5.583
34 = 6.781 or 4.786
35 = 7.636 or 5.60
36 = 4.778
37 = 3.583
38 = 3.417
2 = 2/no LSD
3 = 2/LSD
4 = 4/no LSD
5 = 4/LSD

 

[Alex91Mk3]

read the user manual the other day (yeah yeah i know)

the plate in the engine bay on the firewall will tell you.

if the 5th digit from the right side is a "3" or a "5" it has lsd. example:

xxxxxxxxxx5xxxx = lsd
xxxxxxxxxx3xxxx = lsd
xxxxxxxxxx7xxxx = no lsd

if this is correct, my 91 n/a too does have lsd. which i knew b4 cuz it did two lines..

 

[selfinfliction]

if this is correct, my 91 n/a too does have lsd. which i knew b4 cuz it did two lines..

it may be the 4th from the right... i know it's one of those cause i read it in the manual. i'll go check later or something