yeah I did that but with only one plate cause I couldn't get any more. The plate is pretty thick too, comes out to the top of the spider and side gears. there wasn't really any room to fit another plate in there.

 

how much clearance did you have between the diff and gas tank? And what year did the rear end come out of cause the newer ones are a little longer.

 

AXLE INFO
I think I know what's going on with that axle...it's a 90's 8 inch 5 lug housing with a 6 lug 3rd member, hence the wires for the e-locker. It's definitely a spring under housing from a 5 lug, and most likely from the 90's since it has the wider leaf spring pads on it. (red circle on left in first pic) They aren't as common as most axles with the narrower pads.

U-BOLT PLATES
This means you'll need the u-bolt plates for that axle, since the holes for the u-bolts will be wider to accomodate those wide pads. Your u-bolts will be at a crazy angle if you don't run the correct u-bolt plates.

8" DIFF HAS LONG STUD
And you asked if it is actually a 8" axle...the answer is yes for 2 reasons...the e-locked 3rd member from a 6 lug truck, and also the one stud for the 3rd member that's longer than all the other studs. (also circled in red in first pic) This longer stud tells you that the axle is indeed a 8" and not a 7.5".

CLEARANCE WITH GAS TANK
That diff will clear your tank by a mile, but if you're going to be any lower than 6" in back, you may need to bend the lip (the seam) on the rear of the gas tank upward with a cresent wrench and hammer to clear the drive shaft that will rub the tank if you don't bend the seam. I had to do that on bitter8it's drift truck when I did his, but he was using 4" blocks with Belltech leafs for about a 7" rear drop, you'll probably be ok and not have to bend the lip since you're using 3" blocks, but can't remember what your leaf setup will be. http://www.toyotaminis.com/forum/build-up-project-threads-23/88-drift-truck-12101/

 

Thanks! Took alot of worrie out of my mind. I got the ubolt plates and the wrap thing. Got the axle with the springs on them. I'm gonna be running 3leaf spring pack with overload, my truck came with a 4 leaf pack for some odd reason. So will be only 3" drop

 

Do you know any history of that axle? Can you ask the person you got it from what they may have done? I know the 8" was offered in 5 lug trucks, but it's the e-locked 3rd member that I'm wondering about. Did pre 95 trucks have the option of e-lockers? Like maybe 6 lug trucks? Can anyone answer this?

 

Not sure of its history but I think he was using it for a prerunner set up cause when I bought it there was lift shackles on the springs