4Runner to GX - Locking Rear?

[Bumbo]

I have a 4th Gen 4Runner in v6 and really sad to see they took away the v8 option on the 5th Gens so here I am... v8 is the only thing I feel like I wish I had (at times) but the extra room under my current truck made for a nice dual battery setup.

It looks like if you still want a Torsen center transfer case you need to get a Limited or a GX as well.

I really want a rear locking diff in addition to a locking torsen center... do any of the GX trims include that or am I missing something?

I really like to enjoy these trucks as off-road / adventure tools and which would be the best trim to start building on?

I understand the highest level trim comes with air suspension, which I would actually end up deleting in due time for some larger body spring/shock/coilover setup.

 

[rickashay]

The only 4th Gen 4Runner that came with a rear E-Locker was the extremely rare "Trail Edition", but I believe it only was offered as a V6 anyway.

If you're hung up because lack of a rear locker option, I'd say just find the right platform that was well maintained, fits your budget, is rust free, and ad a locker later:

- FJ E-Locker retrofit into 4th Gen or GX
- There is now an aftermarket company offering E-locker 3rds: Harrop I believe?
- Or just run an ARB air locker - use the required compressor for the locker to also help air up your tires.

If your not planning to re-gear, a rear e-locker is not terribly expensive to accomplish.

GL!

 

[BlackCat914]

No factory GX came with a locker. If you're familiar with the ATRAC system, you can do wonders without one. Also, EVERY GX has rear air suspension. Certain GX's have KDSS, which is hydraulically adjusted swaybar links to improve off road suspension travel and on road manners.

My opinion on the best years? 03-04. No VVT-i, no secondary air systems. Also, try and find one without navigation, because the HVAC is integrated into the display and there are 0 aftermarket options.

Pull the running boards, put on a good set of AT tires, and you'll be shocked where a GX will take you.

 

[4Runter]

No factory GX came with a locker. If you're familiar with the ATRAC system, you can do wonders without one. Also, EVERY GX has rear air suspension. Certain GX's have KDSS, which is hydraulically adjusted swaybar links to improve off road suspension travel and on road manners.

My opinion on the best years? 03-04. No VVT-i, no secondary air systems. Also, try and find one without navigation, because the HVAC is integrated into the display and there are 0 aftermarket options.

Pull the running boards, put on a good set of AT tires, and you'll be shocked where a GX will take you.

I can't speak to the GX470's, but GX460's all have KDSS, while some have rear air suspension (higher trim models).

Rear locking differentials was not a factory option for the US market, but was/are available on the the 150 Prado's overseas.

 

[Morphyne]

I have a 4th Gen 4Runner in v6 and really sad to see they took away the v8 option on the 5th Gens so here I am... v8 is the only thing I feel like I wish I had (at times) but the extra room under my current truck made for a nice dual battery setup.

It looks like if you still want a Torsen center transfer case you need to get a Limited or a GX as well.

I really want a rear locking diff in addition to a locking torsen center... do any of the GX trims include that or am I missing something?

I really like to enjoy these trucks as off-road / adventure tools and which would be the best trim to start building on?

I understand the highest level trim comes with air suspension, which I would actually end up deleting in due time for some larger body spring/shock/coilover setup.

Let me know if you ever get a gx and pull the RAS. I love the rear air ride and would love to have some cheap spare parts

 

[Jaysen4runner]

I'm almost 99.9% sure a FJC rear end bilt right up!

 

[Bumbo]

Let me know if you ever get a gx and pull the RAS. I love the rear air ride and would love to have some cheap spare parts

Just curious but what do you like about it and what type of driving do you do?

If I was towing with that truck I would probably opt to keep it for load leveling but I wasn't sure of its performance off-road.

 

[Morphyne]

I have a family of 5 and it it's used as a kid hauler. Add groceries, luggage or in laws and things get heavy. But the reason air suspension always keeps things level. I love it.

 

[kylebacc]

I'm almost 99.9% sure a FJC rear end bilt right up!

Hmmm. Anything to support this? That would be sweet. I should have kept the ARB from the 4Runner...dangit.

Just curious but what do you like about it and what type of driving do you do?

If I was towing with that truck I would probably opt to keep it for load leveling but I wasn't sure of its performance off-road.

Load leveling is awesome. Hooking up to the boat is awesome with the ability to raise/lower + back up cam (literally everything else about having the factory nav sucks, though).

I have a family of 5 and it it's used as a kid hauler. Add groceries, luggage or in laws and things get heavy. But the reason air suspension always keeps things level. I love it.

Agreed. When you put a whole pile of people/gear in there, it's nice that it just clicks on and pumps you back up to where it rides nice. Although, if I didn't still have 3 years/50k left on the warranty, I'd think long and hard about switching over to traditional setup.

 

[Jaysen4runner]

I'm almost 99.9% sure, 4runner,gx470 and fjc share the same rear end 8' diff and all same link brackets. Everything should be swap in and out 100% bolt in, if anything maybe the abs but almost sure it's all the same also. I'm not new to the Toyota world of trucks, I do rock crawling for years and most crap are swappable and interchangeable. I would consider a fjc diamond rear end in a gx470 due to the weight and the v8 engine.

 

[kylebacc]

Gotcha. Thanks! I don't think I could justify a diamond. Don't even know if I can justify ARB at this point lol too many hobbies, and the GX does fine for my purposes right now. But one day...

 

[A.Wilson013]

[MENTION=78895]DeathCougar[/MENTION] has a locking rear axle from an FJ for sale.

 

[DeathCougar]

I'm almost 99.9% sure, 4runner,gx470 and fjc share the same rear end 8' diff and all same link brackets. Everything should be swap in and out 100% bolt in, if anything maybe the abs but almost sure it's all the same also. I'm not new to the Toyota world of trucks, I do rock crawling for years and most crap are swappable and interchangeable. I would consider a fjc diamond rear end in a gx470 due to the weight and the v8 engine.

GX470 has air suspension I believe, so that might make a difference. Toyota says they have different part numbers

 

[kylebacc]

GX470 has air suspension I believe, so that might make a difference. Toyota says they have different part numbers

That true, but if it's just a matter of cutting off the mounts and welding the air suspension mounts, it could be something that someone is able to do? lol

The FJ is the same width?

Just curious...how much are you selling for?

 

[Jaysen4runner]

Everything bolts up just the air bag part but metal tech conversion and your set. I don't think it's that hard at all.

 

[Jaysen4runner]

GX470 has air suspension I believe, so that might make a difference. Toyota says they have different part numbers

Will yes, different part number due to non elocker and elocker. But fjc will bolt straight up on to gx470 and 4th 4runner

 

[DeathCougar]

Will yes, different part number due to non elocker and elocker. But fjc will bolt straight up on to gx470 and 4th 4runner

Have you actually confirmed this? FJ also came with a non-elocker option and thats listed as a different part number as well

 

[DeathCougar]

That true, but if it's just a matter of cutting off the mounts and welding the air suspension mounts, it could be something that someone is able to do? lol

The FJ is the same width?

Just curious...how much are you selling for?

[MENTION=12759]kylebacc[/MENTION] $700, includes the switch but you have to arrange transport. I have no way of strapping to a pallet or anything else.

 

[Jaysen4runner]

Not to be a dick, but acourse the part Number won't be the same. 2 different vehicle. I been rocking crawling for 10 yrs now I think I know what fit in what. It's pretty common most toyotas are interchangeable. If you ever look at a 4th 4runner and a fjc look at the links in the rear end and you see what I mean by it will bolt up.

 

[DeathCougar]

Not to be a dick, but acourse the part Number won't be the same. 2 different vehicle. I been rocking crawling for 10 yrs now I think I know what fit in what. It's pretty common most toyotas are interchangeable. If you ever look at a 4th 4runner and a fjc look at the links in the rear end and you see what I mean by it will bolt up.

Let's not start a "I've been doing X longer I'm smarter than you" battle. If you haven't done the actual swap, you are merely assuming it will fit. And we all know what happens when you assume.

Can you provide concrete evidence? I'd certainly hate to sell someone an axle only to find out it doesn't fit. And if it requires modifying the axle it's simply not a bolt up swap. Not everyone has the access or ability to weld.