E-Locker and Differential Breather install, Trail Edition

[DesertCanyons]

Mounting the ARB breather in the engine bay

When using the ARB kit the line is run under the vehicle next to the frame and up into the engine compartment, where the forward breathers are located. It's a better solution than using the breathers Toyota makes, which fit in smaller spaces. You never have to go through the firewall but you do need to find a place to attach the ARB filtered unit. There are quite a few threaded nuts welded onto the body or frame within the engine compartment that are not used in our US 4Runners. I suppose they are there for other applications in different markets. Any of those welded nuts would give you a place to anchor the ARB. I used two of them to locate the remote oil filter from Baxter Performance.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Nobody here seems to have ever reported issues of water intrusions to either Diff or E Locker, just that it could theoretically happen.

My ARB diff breather is done and routed to engine copartment. What is the risk of the E-locker reaming OEM? Does it heat up and have seals that could theoretically allow/suck water in during a crossing?
Thanks

People have reported getting water into the axle. If the breathers weren't there or if they malfunctioned the axle seals would leak and you'd get water infiltrating that way.

You'd have to examine the diff and E-locker to know if they are separate spaces. I believe Toyota put one on each part because they're needed to equalize the air pressure as the diff and E-locker heat up when running and cool when you hit water or very cold air.

Look at my parts and photos of the T-joint and realize you can tie both the diff and E-locker to the same breather. If you have smaller hose lines you'll want a smaller T-joint.

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

You never have to go through the firewall but you do need to find a place to attach the ARB filtered unit. There are quite a few threaded nuts welded onto the body or frame within the engine compartment that are not used in our US 4Runners.

Thanks for replying, silly me. Do you happen to know the thread pattern for those nuts welded to the underside of the sheet metal in the engine bay? Cheers

 

[DesertCanyons]

Engine bay nut size

Thanks for replying, silly me. Do you happen to know the thread pattern for those nuts welded to the underside of the sheet metal in the engine bay? Cheers

I'm shooting from memory. I'm here at work today, but I think it was 8mm x 1.25 pitch. I had extra OEM bolts left over from the lift and skid plate install and just kept trying them until I found one that fit. Then I went to the hardware store to find the size on a thread size test plate they have. I got some more SS bolts of the same size and nuts to go with them.

Try removing a small bolt from the body or frame somewhere and try to find one that fits the threaded, welded-on nuts around the engine bay. I found three welded nuts behind the battery above the wheel well.

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

I'm shooting from memory. I'm here at work today, but I think it was 8mm x 1.25 pitch.

Well that gives me a great start if it's not, thanks very much.

 

[Cymon]

Thanks everyone for a great thread.

When I do this it'll be with the ARB kit although some of you have had some great ideas (MTN4RNR, etc).

Firstly, I've heard some proclaim that the elocker and diff vents "share" the same "airspace" in the case so one line to the filter for both vents is fine. Then some say that one needs 2 lines to prevent oil vapor from getting into the elocker electronics? Which is it please?

There seems to be questions as to the amount of "airflow" or ability to equalize necessary with this mod also and must say that one 1/8" ID line has more than enough internal volume and "airflow" capability for 20 vents, don't worry about impeding "airflow". You can almost breath through that done very slowly.

For those who are running their lines up to the engine compartment, can you please explain your chosen route towards the front of your vehicle and through the firewall?

Thanks

I have pics of how I ran it in this thread, just don’t have an e-locker to tie in.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/215741-rear-differential-breather-mod-dummies.html

 

[Signal]

So I skimmed through this thread because I bought the ARB breather kit. There are 3 pics in the 1st few posts, I know where the rear diff is but where is the rear locker? I guess the other breathers are relocated up to somewhere higher but I have no clue where. I am planning on running the rear diff to the engine compartment and I would like to bring them all to the same block so I can have all the breathers in one location. Also is there a higher location available higher than the engine compartment? Also does anyone know if I buy the barbs for the other breathers they will work with the ARB breather kit?

 

[Rapid_Amble]

So I skimmed through this thread because I bought the ARB breather kit. There are 3 pics in the 1st few posts, I know where the rear diff is but where is the rear locker? I guess the other breathers are relocated up to somewhere higher but I have no clue where. I am planning on running the rear diff to the engine compartment and I would like to bring them all to the same block so I can have all the breathers in one location. Also is there a higher location available higher than the engine compartment? Also does anyone know if I buy the barbs for the other breathers they will work with the ARB breather kit?

E-Locker and Differential Breather install, Trail Edition - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

There’s enough tubing in the Arb kit to route the differential and elocker breather to the engine bay.

 

[Signal]

E-Locker and Differential Breather install, Trail Edition - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

There’s enough tubing in the Arb kit to route the differential and elocker breather to the engine bay.

you linked this thread, so the 2nd pic is the E locker? I just don't know what to look for.

 

[Rapid_Amble]

you linked this thread, so the 2nd pic is the E locker? I just don't know what to look for.

Yes. When you’re down there look towards the left rear wheel and you’ll see the same.

 

[Red Dog Leader]

So have read through 2 threads regarding the e-locker breather and nothing definitive but it has been asked. Can a T-fitting be used for the e-locker to share the ARB Diff Breather kit with the Diff Breather or should I run 8mm line to have e-locker on it's own?

Thanks
Red Dog Leader
JB

 

[evidence]

So have read through 2 threads regarding the e-locker breather and nothing definitive but it has been asked. Can a T-fitting be used for the e-locker to share the ARB Diff Breather kit with the Diff Breather or should I run 8mm line to have e-locker on it's own?

Thanks
Red Dog Leader
JB

The concern is that under heat the diff fluids may expand enough to travel up the tube. Then the closer your T is to the diff, the easier it is for that to get into the e-locker.

I've not heard of this happening and it might not be a concern in practice. You bought the kit for protection and have enough tubing to run both though, seems an easy call.

 

[20164runner]

The concern is that under heat the diff fluids may expand enough to travel up the tube. Then the closer your T is to the diff, the easier it is for that to get into the e-locker.

I've not heard of this happening and it might not be a concern in practice. You bought the kit for protection and have enough tubing to run both though, seems an easy call.

If you run both separately and in the engine bay then no you don't. I did give myself an extra loop or two as well. I had to buy 8mm tubing from Fastenal or McMaster Carr.


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[Red Dog Leader]

If you run both separately and in the engine bay then no you don't. I did give myself an extra loop or two as well. I've had to buy 8mm tubing from Fastenal or McMaster Carr.


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Thanks for the replies. I'll grab some extra tubing as I didn't really see the e-locker until after I cut a kink out of the tubing, so not enough to make another run.

Cheap mods are the best. lol

JB

 

[evidence]

If you run both separately and in the engine bay then no you don't. I did give myself an extra loop or two as well. I had to buy 8mm tubing from Fastenal or McMaster Carr.


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I was able to do both runs down the drivers side and into the engine bay. I had maybe 6" to spare after both. I went with a 1/8" to a 1/4" barb on the e-locker tube and ran them side by side.

The kit comes with just under 10m of tubing, so something like this https://www.amazon.com/LYM-32-8ft-8mmx5mm-Pneumatic-Polyurethane/dp/B07HLQLD1P/ is the same size a just a bit longer than what comes w the kit if you need moar.

 

[mrblah]

So have read through 2 threads regarding the e-locker breather and nothing definitive but it has been asked. Can a T-fitting be used for the e-locker to share the ARB Diff Breather kit with the Diff Breather or should I run 8mm line to have e-locker on it's own?

Thanks
Red Dog Leader
JB

I ran a T fitting and never had a problem.

 

[Red Dog Leader]

33' of 8mm tubing on Amazon for $12.99....I may never run out now.

LYM 10m 32.8ft 8mmx5mm Pneumatic Polyurethane PU Hose Tube Pipe Black (8x5mm)

FTW

 

[Hammer0313]

This will be my next mod. I just went to Amazon to order and for some reason I got this warning in the upper left - is this the wrong kit??? Lower in the questions section someone asks if it will work with their '17 and the answer is yes it works with all 5th Gens - why did I get this warning about my '18?

I just got the same warning on Amazon for my 2019, can anyone confirm that this will still work for the 2019 models?

 

[JB15TE]

Do you really need to relocate the elocker and rear diff breather? I installed the rear diff breather with the ARB kit and routed to the engine bay. I have read conflicting information regarding the elocker breather. The basis of my question is that some have stated that the elocker shares the same air space as the rear diff so that by relocating the rear diff breather, the elocker does not pose a potential vacuum issue. If submerged, the elocker valve will close, but the open rear diff breather (after relocating) will provide enough relief to prevent a vacuum from occurring. I can't seem to find a definitive answer and was hoping someone here has more mechanical/technical knowledge than I do.

 

[Burnicus]

Do you really need to relocate the elocker and rear diff breather? I installed the rear diff breather with the ARB kit and routed to the engine bay. I have read conflicting information regarding the elocker breather. The basis of my question is that some have stated that the elocker shares the same air space as the rear diff so that by relocating the rear diff breather, the elocker does not pose a potential vacuum issue. If submerged, the elocker valve will close, but the open rear diff breather (after relocating) will provide enough relief to prevent a vacuum from occurring. I can't seem to find a definitive answer and was hoping someone here has more mechanical/technical knowledge than I do.

I also would like to know this. Have been looking all over the internet, and asked toyota and arb directly. No one seems to know.

I would rather not do the e-locker as it seems like it requires hardware store plastic parts. I question the longevity of a mod held together by electrical tape. I'll do it if we have to, it just seems silly that there isn't good data on this question.