I am in the process of cleaning up a 97(...I think) e-locker, ABS rear axle to swap into my 01 and have noticed some differences. I also want to make sure I've noticed ALL the differences so I don't run into any issues when I get my new diffs and swap the axle in.

1) Brake lines - my 01 has two brake lines to the rear axle, I guess for ABS/TRAC, while the 97 only has one. I'm planning on swapping as much of the bracketry for that from the 01 axle to the 97 axle, but I know I'm probably going to need to figure out how to attach some of the brackets. I am hoping I can just take all the brake lines off the 01 axle and they'll bolt right in to the 97.

2) Parking brake - the junkyard I bought the 97 axle from cut the parking brake cable. Are there differences between the years or can I just take all the park brake stuff off my 01 axle and bolt it on the 97?

3) ABS - again, the junkyard cut the ABS sensor cables. Will my 01 sensors work with the 97 axle?

4) This one is kind of a long shot and I am expecting that this isn't gonna work, but can I simply unbolt my axleshaft/brake/etc assemblies from the 01 (open diff) and stick them in the 97 axle with an e-locker? The 97 axle's backing plates are absolutely trashed and I don't know the condition of the bearings. Can I use late model 3rd gen seals in an early model axle housing?

Thanks for any input yall can give.

I put a 97 whole rear axle (no locker) into my 2001 which had bad bearings when I bought it. I figured out the brake lines but never got the trac and abs to work properly. The sensors fit but its my impression they are not compatible. I ended up pulling the abs fuse which is no problem for where and how I drive. I thought about changing out the individual side axles to see if that would solve the problem but recently got a 2002 whole rear axle which I am going to put in. My suggestion is if you want the locker just modify the axle housing to fit the locking diff

Ugh, if the sensors don't work that alone is like $400 in parts, which makes a strong case for modifying my 01 housing.

1) As I remember, there is one brake line mounting point on the drivers side upper control arm boss that will have to be drilled for a nut and bolt on the older housing.

4) Yes. Axles and backing plates are the same. Brake parts (shoes, brackets, adjusters) are different, but that’s ok, doesn’t matter. To me, the later model adjusters work better

I don't see why you cannot put in the 97 housing with the locker and then pull each side axle off the 2001 and put them in the housing. The sensors would match the axle shaft and that would solve your backing plate. Just untested as far as I know

Yeah, I think I'm gonna see about just swapping shafts/backing plates. Is there a difference between early and late model seals, or are they the same part and I'm thinking of the redesign Toyota did?

wow, 2000 to 2001 makes that much difference ? I swapped in a 98 elocker into my 2000 and only thing I had to do was make a harness for the elocker ( mine was a non -elocker) and also switched out all the axel/bearings/brakes from one to the other.

Guess I lucked out

good luck, I learn something every day about these 4runners

I think/hope the biggest difference is the brakes. The 01-02 model years have an electronic master cylinder that doubles as stability and traction control (separate brake lines to each corner) and it sounds like there are some minor mechanical differences in the park brake linkage.

There is also apparently a difference between the axle seals, ABS ring, and bearing retainer, but I'm still unclear if there's actually a MY split or if Toyota redesigned all those components and the 01-02 parts supersede the 96-00 parts.