Bit of a newbish question regarding factory locker

Well, I can't say I've had any personal experience with either lockers, although they sound close to the same thing. But I wouldn't want something kicking in and out on me all of the time, even more so because I'm up in Canada and have to deal with ice 8 months out of the year.

Here's a link. I saw ppl from all over the US and other countries installing these. Read and see what you think.

Aussie Locker Install

To the kid.... my aussie locked if one wheel got lifted
 
i never said it wouldnt, just the truetrac will slip if you pick a tire up, its not a full locker, its a limited slip differential.
 
i never said it wouldnt, just the truetrac will slip if you pick a tire up, its not a full locker, its a limited slip differential.


Didn't mean to imply that you did. Just stating how the aussie was different. It's my fault for mentioning the truetrac in the first place when I was actually thinking of a lockrite
 
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Yes, I've driven a couple vehicles with LSD's on the snow and ice and don't mind them. It does keep you on your toes though more than an open diff would. And if I were to choose a locker I would get a selectable as you call it. Simply because I really only need both rear wheels locked when I'm off roading.

Looms to me like I'm better off just waiting and saving and eventually buying an E-locker. The limited slip is nice but I already find the runner a bit light in the ass in the winter so it would probably be best not to aid that with an LSD.

This is really good stuff though guys, i can tell I'm going to enjoy this site.
 
Yes, I've driven a couple vehicles with LSD's on the snow and ice and don't mind them. It does keep you on your toes though more than an open diff would. And if I were to choose a locker I would get a selectable as you call it. Simply because I really only need both rear wheels locked when I'm off roading.

Looms to me like I'm better off just waiting and saving and eventually buying an E-locker. The limited slip is nice but I already find the runner a bit light in the ass in the winter so it would probably be best not to aid that with an LSD.

This is really good stuff though guys, i can tell I'm going to enjoy this site.

welcome aboard!
 
Closer to a Trutrac by detroit....but most ppl I know go with an Aussie over the Truetrac. I can't speak on the Truetrac as I've never owned one.

Just a little clarification the Detroit Locker is an automatic locker just like the aussie except that instead of utilizing the stock gear carrier it replaces the gear carrier and is much stronger as a result. Both will automatically lock if one tire rotates more than the other. The truetrac is a limited slip diff it will never lock the axles together it uses torsen gears to limit slip between the two tires but lift one or get one on ice and it will function like an open diff. they are popular in the front of our 3rd gens as a middle of the road option. My opinion is that with IFS we lift tires in the front two often and so I personally wouldn't run a LSD in the front.
 
If your mechanically inclined, then retrofitting an E-locker will be no problem. If you shop around, you might be able to find one from $200 to $400.

I put one in mine and love it. It goes everywhere.
 
I am sorry to poach the thread, however I have a complete e-lock off a 96 limited for sale! It will be complete with everything you may need!! anyone who may be interested can pm me.
 
Wow guys, thanks for the quick replies. Sounds like, after reading through a few articles it might not be worth it for me. I'm not planning on doing any serious wheeling with my runner for some time as it's just in to good of shape right now and getting me too good of mileage. And besides, I'm going to be building a purpose built trail rig this summer out of a AMC Eagle i saved from the retire your ride program. Thanks again for the advice and quick replies.

Well, I can't say I've had any personal experience with either lockers, although they sound close to the same thing. But I wouldn't want something kicking in and out on me all of the time, even more so because I'm up in Canada and have to deal with ice 8 months out of the year.

If ice really is your primary application, and you are not looking to get into wheeling, then you will probably be better served spending the money you'd spend on a locker on something like better winter tires, or studded tires. If you are building a different trail rig, then I'd say def don't blow money on a locker on your 4runner.

I havn't really tried it, but you can always pull a "poor man's locker", which is slightly pulling the e-brake when you have the rear stuck with 1 tire spinning.

Singtoe went one further and installed a second lever so that each rear wheel had it's own brake. Then YOU are the locker. Pretty ingenious I thought, and a simple install.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/88695-cutting-brakes.html

Anyway, food for thought.
 
Ice is a concern, but not over much so. I've got a pair of michiln(spelling?) LT4's on it and. Love them, my only concern is they are a bit hard for something as light as the 4runner. Winter tires are on my list of things I'd like to have.

That is an ingenious way of creating a locker though, we've got an old farm tractor (59) that has The same system. I wouldn't have though to use the same idea on a vehicle..... If only you could get 2 levers for the front breaks to, then you'd have the same system the hummer has. Lol or at least almost. You'd also have to grow at least two more arms to make use of it on a trail to.

My other trail rig is going to be a budget build though. I'm planning on lifting it 2.5 inches and then lincoln locking the front and rear diff so it shouldn't cost a whole lot of money. I also don't have to keep it street legal as i have a flatbed.
 
Ice is a concern, but not over much so. I've got a pair of michiln(spelling?) LT4's on it and. Love them, my only concern is they are a bit hard for something as light as the 4runner. Winter tires are on my list of things I'd like to have.

That is an ingenious way of creating a locker though, we've got an old farm tractor (59) that has The same system. I wouldn't have though to use the same idea on a vehicle..... If only you could get 2 levers for the front breaks to, then you'd have the same system the hummer has. Lol or at least almost. You'd also have to grow at least two more arms to make use of it on a trail to.

My other trail rig is going to be a budget build though. I'm planning on lifting it 2.5 inches and then lincoln locking the front and rear diff so it shouldn't cost a whole lot of money. I also don't have to keep it street legal as i have a flatbed.

if you are looking at a set of winter tires, id recommend the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1. i have a set for the winter and holly sh!t, wow they are amazing they are a bit soft so you will eat them up in warmer weather fast and on dry roads, but they grip like nothing else(i hate studs, cause in wet weather they are worse than all season tires). they are by far the best snow tires ive ever ran. that with a truetrac you would almost be unstoppable in the winter(less the un-plowed 2'+ deep snow on the road).
 
if you are looking at a set of winter tires, id recommend the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1. i have a set for the winter and holly sh!t, wow they are amazing they are a bit soft so you will eat them up in warmer weather fast and on dry roads, but they grip like nothing else(i hate studs, cause in wet weather they are worse than all season tires). they are by far the best snow tires ive ever ran. that with a truetrac you would almost be unstoppable in the winter(less the un-plowed 2'+ deep snow on the road).

Yeah, I bought a set of duratracs as an off-road/winter tire. I like them alot, but I got them towards the end of the winter, so didn't really get to put them through their paces. They were awesome for what I did.
 

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