Choose elocker or retrofit?

[hawaiian05]

Personally, I'd probably pick up a clean non-locked one, as long as everything else checks out on your list, rather than waiting for who knows how long. I was in the market for some time for either a 5 spd w/rear locker, or an '01-'02 sport edition, eventually finding a clean sport I couldn't pass up. At one point, I came across a 5 spd w/locker that was clean and here locally (Boise, ID), though the dealer wanted way too much for it. Knowing how few of them actually get posted for sale, let alone are still available when you call to check it out, I'd consider a clean 5 spd and eventually do an axle swap.

On a side note, as mentioned above, you better act quick if you like this one. Here in Idaho, these things sell QUICK. Like within 1-2 days quick, especially since this one has a decent price for the location. If it was any closer, I'd offer to check it out for you, but looks like it's a ways away. There's another 5 spd that was posted not too long ago, but due to the higher miles and location (about 2 hrs north of Boise), I'm not surprised it hasn't sold yet.

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4

 

[SlickmisterN]

To put your mind at ease I purchased the drill bit and tap as a kit from lowrangeoffroad as well as the gasket, longer studs and a few extra nuts just in case. With a small weak cordless I was able to drill the necessary four holes using the E-locker 3rd as a jig once it was clearanced to fit.

I did build up the areas and grind them flat with a stick welder where the holes bleed over the factory mating surface lip, but i know some people that didn't do that and have no problems.

It's all pretty straightforward stuff.

 

[alico268]

On a side note, as mentioned above, you better act quick if you like this one. Here in Idaho, these things sell QUICK. Like within 1-2 days quick, especially since this one has a decent price for the location. If it was any closer, I'd offer to check it out for you, but looks like it's a ways away. There's another 5 spd that was posted not too long ago, but due to the higher miles and location (about 2 hrs north of Boise), I'm not surprised it hasn't sold yet.

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4

Haha, placed a deposit on that one to pick up next week. And its a LOT more than 2 hrs North of me!

 

[hawaiian05]

Haha, placed a deposit on that one to pick up next week. And its a LOT more than 2 hrs North of me!

Haha ya you're a little ways away! I knew it would sell, just a matter of time since it's a ways from the city. When are you planning on grabbing it? If you need to barrow any tools or what not while you pass through Boise let me know, though I'm sure you'll have it checked out before you make that road trip back.
Looks like a clean rig- surprised it's getting picked up by someone from TX.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Drilling the holes is what concerns me the most about retrofitting. That, and accidentally leaving some shavings To get chewed up.
Wiring is a little intimidating, but manageable.

Just take your time with the drilling. Use a jig if you have one. It isn't perfect but it will be better than nothing.

Keeping everything clean is fairly easy. Once you slide the axle shafts out to get access to modifying the pumpkin area just stuff a few rags down in there before cutting and drilling and you will be fine. Just be careful when cutting....sparks ignite and all that. You can wipe everything out no problemo afterwards. Just use something that won't leave behind any fibers (I am ocd...)

The other reason I decided to modify my housing is because all the Elocker diffs are ABS and I don't have ABS. I didn't want to mess around with modifying my axle shafts to work with the new housing plus you can use the HD seal from Marlin if you don't have ABS. Great beefy seal. Better than oem if you ask me.

Also I don't recommend doing this with the axle under the truck. Just pull the darn thing and get it on a table. Sooooo much easier this way.

 

[So Many Roads]

This is great. When using the inchworm kit, did it hook up to the stock Diff light in your dash? Did you end up changing your switch? How long did it take for you to find your axle?

The red light above the switch lights up when the locker is engaged. It comes with the inchworm kit. The factory light was never connected. I did put a cover over the switch to keep it from getting flipped on by accident. I wasn't actively looking for a locker but found one nearby in great shape about a year after I bought the truck and jumped on it. I sold the axle housing, rear axles and my old differential (pretty easy to sell if you are able/willing to ship) and made back most of the money I spent on the locker. So it worked out pretty well.

 

[McFinnigan]

On a side note, as mentioned above, you better act quick if you like this one. Here in Idaho, these things sell QUICK. Like within 1-2 days quick, especially since this one has a decent price for the location. If it was any closer, I'd offer to check it out for you, but looks like it's a ways away. There's another 5 spd that was posted not too long ago, but due to the higher miles and location (about 2 hrs north of Boise), I'm not surprised it hasn't sold yet.



2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4

Apparently you know your state... "She gone!"

 

[SCRunner12]

Don't get hung up on a locker. It's easy enough to retrofit and you won't need one for 99% of what your driving. I have a locker and barely ever use it offroad as I like to wheel without it. I would much rather have a lower mileage and well taken care of 4runner with no locker than higher mileage and questionable history but with a locker.

 

[hawaiian05]

Apparently you know your state... "She gone!"

Trust me, I know it all too well. Been in that situation before. Be patient and the right one will come up. And as you already are, be willing to travel and be aggressive. Also, set craigslist and cars.com alert notifications, that way you're quick to know when a new listing pops up. Good luck!

 

[hawaiian05]

Don't get hung up on a locker. It's easy enough to retrofit and you won't need one for 99% of what your driving. I have a locker and barely ever use it offroad as I like to wheel without it. I would much rather have a lower mileage and well taken care of 4runner with no locker than higher mileage and questionable history but with a locker.

I agree very much with this. I don't have a locked vehicle anymore, though I'm okay with that. I had one on my Tacoma and found that it was much less a necessity than it gets made out to be. The only times I needed it was when I went to the extreme case to put myself in a bad position. A clean low mileage vehicle is way more desirable in my opinion.

 

[SlickmisterN]

That, and accidentally leaving some shavings To get chewed up.
Wiring is a little intimidating, but manageable.

After the retrofit I planned on changing my gear oil at 500 miles, well that turned into almost 1000.

We cleaned it the best we could but...

Once the oil was drained, the pan/bowl it went into had a pretty silvery residue, and there were much larger metal shavings hanging in suspension than I would have thought.

I would say use junk fluid and change after 100 miles, then fill with Mobil1 or RP...etc