Aussie Locker install on 99 2WD SR5

[tS_kStin]

Nice work and write-up. I was going to go this route but ended up going elocker for a few reasons. Ones tire wear and the other was winter driving. I have heard that if it locks mid turn on ice it can send you spinning quick and even in a straight line so be careful with that, but just being a good driver that pays attention will help there. I would have been fine learning how to drive with it but I was nervous about my wife or anyone else for that matter driving it in the winter that isn't used to it. I felt like I'd be putting them in danger in a way.

All that said nice work and how it works out for ya! You now have the ability to do ATV style doughnuts if you are into that kinda stuff!

 

[Roamed YT]

Very happy to see that you got it installed! Time to see how it acts on less than dry roads!

What's the difference between 2WD and 4WD?


...about $1000 on the recovery bill when you get stuck.

 

[theesotericone]

So after the install and a double check of all steps and fasteners fastened, the test drive is next!.

Nicely done man. Mic'ing the allen keys was a great idea. Way better than stacking feeler gauges. The problem with stacking gauges is the slightest bend in one or two of them will throw your numbers off. Big thumbs up for thinking outside the box.

When your ready for a real test of the rear let me know. I just went up Sand Canyon again yesterday. The whole way up I was telling my wife how I was 95% sure I could make it up in 2 wheel drive locked. I can't test cause I don't have a rear locker. If you wanna give it a go one day let me know. There's a bunch of stuff once your up there to explore.

 

[alanflies]

Good on ya man...Awesome job.

Tell us about the road manners when you have some miles to judge by...

I already know you will be happy with the results but it's good to hear anyway.

 

[amalik]

This is an interesting thread. Do you feel like this locker can substitute on the fly 4WD, coming from a 2WD runner for you?

 

[octanejunkie]

Good on ya man...Awesome job.

Tell us about the road manners when you have some miles to judge by...

I already know you will be happy with the results but it's good to hear anyway.

I have a road trip coming up this weekend but I doubt I'll get much weather or opportunity to try anything different. It's an adjustment process, I have already started modulating my pedal habits and am conscious of throttle position/drivetrain load in turns. Toa large extent, you can drive this thing quietly if you know how.

This is an interesting thread. Do you feel like this locker can substitute on the fly 4WD, coming from a 2WD runner for you?

In many situations yes, which is why I did it. A good driver with 2-wheel locked drive can handle many situations that would leave an open diff stranded. A front locker seems a definite if I ever upgrade this to 4WD, as does an eLocker rear, but for less than $400 and 6 hours of my time (only counting one install attempt) I'm happy.

 

[amalik]

I have a road trip coming up this weekend but I doubt I'll get much weather or opportunity to try anything different. It's an adjustment process, I have already started modulating my pedal habits and am conscious of throttle position/drivetrain load in turns. Toa large extent, you can drive this thing quietly if you know how.



In many situations yes, which is why I did it. A good driver with 2-wheel locked drive can handle many situations that would leave an open diff stranded. A front locker seems a definite if I ever upgrade this to 4WD, as does an eLocker rear, but for less than $400 and 6 hours of my time (only counting one install attempt) I'm happy.

How does this differ from an eLocker? Don't both solutions require you to flip a switch?

 

[octanejunkie]

How does this differ from an eLocker? Don't both solutions require you to flip a switch?

No switch on this, it auto locks and unlocks - the only "control" the driver has is the throttle

 

[weekendclimber]

Sub'd. I've got one sitting on my shelf and have yet to find the time to get it in there. Good to know that all the steps I've got in my head to get it in properly check out with your install! :wave:

 

[octanejunkie]

Sub'd. I've got one sitting on my shelf and have yet to find the time to get it in there. Good to know that all the steps I've got in my head to get it in properly check out with your install! :wave:

Cool, hope you only have to do it once. Don't forget the links I posted early on in the following order:

Reference
ZUK's Aussie Locker page
Toyota aussie locker install

Torq-Masters general locker install manual
http://www.aussielocker.com/downloads/aussielocker_installation_manual.pdf

Instructions
Thread from 2012 (pretty good but missing some stuff)
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/112152-aussie-locker-rear-differential-installation-write-up.html

Torq-Masters Toyota V6 install manual (most relevant)
https://www.torqmasters.com/sites/de...oyota V6.pdf

Knowing what I know now I would have ordered a set of thrust washers right away - the stock shims (thrust washers) and the differential carrier thrust axle gear surface (beneath the thrust washers) wear together over time - the higher the mileage the more likely the wear.

Good luck and post your project!

 

[96RedRunner]

Octanejunkie, Kudo's for putting this thread together!
Have known of this type locker for forever. Never straight from the horse's mouth so to speak, of the nuances of running one. :cheers:

 

[octanejunkie]

Octanejunkie, Kudo's for putting this thread together!
Have known of this type locker for forever. Never straight from the horse's mouth so to speak, of the nuances of running one. :cheers:

Haha, yeah, it's cool when guys share their experiences, both if the install and life after. So many threads out there start then go dark - like the one I reference by a past/dormant forum member.

One thing I think that's gonna become critical for me is monthly tire rotation. Spirited turns make the inside tire chirp and I seem to make a lot of quick right turns.

Truthfully I barely hear the clomping of the locker anymore, and only when turning. I joke with my daughter that it's horespower you can actually hear. Pardon the pun. Hopefully I can change my gear oil soon to the thicker 75-140W or 85-140W that is recommended for the locker; that will quiet it too.

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[octanejunkie]

Changed my rear diff fluid tonight. Drained out the 80-90W and gurgled in some 85-140W then took it for a drive and rechecked the level.

The locker takes up more room (volume) inside the rear end than an open diff, so it takes less fluid to fill it to spec; I put in just over 2 quarts.

I also cleaned the drain plug of metal shavings and replaced the washers on both the fill and the drain plugs.

Take that off the list :happy:

 

[phattyduck]

I'm still waiting on some 11's to be put down...

:zoom:

-Charlie

 

[weekendclimber]

Cool, hope you only have to do it once.

Good luck and post your project!

For sure! The thing I keep going back and forth on is whether it would be worth re-gearing at the same time and refreshing all the bearings inside. Also, might as well do the wheel bearings at the same time since everything is off it. I tend to pile things up so that I can do it in one fell swoop rather than one thing here, one thing there.

Cheers :cheers:

 

[theesotericone]

For sure! The thing I keep going back and forth on is whether it would be worth re-gearing at the same time and refreshing all the bearings inside

If you're planning in re-gearing that would be a good a time as any to do it. How much wheeling do you do? Only reason I ask is lunchbox lockers are a lot weaker then other, more expensive, options. There great for light wheeling but if you wheel hard I'd think twice about a lunchbox.

 

[weekendclimber]

If you're planning in re-gearing that would be a good a time as any to do it. How much wheeling do you do? Only reason I ask is lunchbox lockers are a lot weaker then other, more expensive, options. There great for light wheeling but if you wheel hard I'd think twice about a lunchbox.

I mainly use my rig for forest road trail access in and around PNW and Southern BC. Nothing too extreme, but I do like to hit some harder stuff every once in a while. I'm not going to Moab any time soon :tea:

 

[octanejunkie]

If you're planning in re-gearing that would be a good a time as any to do it. How much wheeling do you do? Only reason I ask is lunchbox lockers are a lot weaker then other, more expensive, options. There great for light wheeling but if you wheel hard I'd think twice about a lunchbox.

THIS

If my rig were a wheeling-specific build I would not have gone with a lunchbox locker, but I wanted a traction upgrade for the winter and the Aussie was a good fit.

And, if you're gonna regear, new bearings are a must.

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