E-locker confusion.. :(

[YotaZach85]

Can you clarify what you are getting? This post makes it sound like you are getting a 4.30 e-locked rear differential with no axle housing (aka pumpkin); so that's carrier (diff housing) and gears. If that is correct, then I would say that $300 is not really a steal, but just a fair price for a used diff.
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The carrier is what the ring gear bolts to and holds the spider (or side and pinion) gears and nothing more. The carrier bolts into the third member which bolts into the axle housing. The pumpkin is the round part of the housing on the back side, opposite where the third member bolts up. And $300 is a hell of a deal on a working E-Locker!

 

[JWaldz]

If you decide to retrofit the wiring instead of using the computer and oem switch I have a diagram and know all the parts you'll need.

If you decide to go with the oem comp, wiring and switch I have THIS if you're interested.

It's a lot easier doing the swap when you have the whole axle. I got one for 500 and it only took me a few hours with the help of a buddy to swap it in. My opinion, if you're retrofitting the housing it's a PITA especially if you're not mechanic savvy or don't know much about it. I'm not quite sure what you're attempting cus I'm a bit confused on what you bought but if t's not just a rear axle swap I'd really advise reading A LOT about it first. Good luck, let me know if you need any help.

 

[brian2sun]

It's a lot easier doing the swap when you have the whole axle. I got one for 500 and it only took me a few hours with the help of a buddy to swap it in. My opinion, if you're retrofitting the housing it's a PITA especially if you're not mechanic savvy or don't know much about it. I'm not quite sure what you're attempting cus I'm a bit confused on what you bought but if t's not just a rear axle swap I'd really advise reading A LOT about it first. Good luck, let me know if you need any help.

A full axle swap is easier, no doubt. But you can't do just that and be done with it.. Like we were saying, he'd still have to re-gear his front diff which is expensive and labor intensive - more so than modifying a rear housing.

If you could get a 4.10 elocked 4runner axle, it would be ideal, but good luck on that. Very few if any were made from the factory with 4.10s. And don't trust anyone that says they have one for sale unless you can verify it in person that it's 4.10 (every one I have ever seen personally has been 4.30s). You can't use a Taco complete axle either because it's leaf sprung and switching that isn't saving you any time or money. That's why the 4.10 Taco elocked 3rd member is they way to go. If I was the OP, I would definitely pass on that $300 4.30 elocker 3rd.

 

[JWaldz]

I know what you're saying.. The axle I got has a 4.30 geared diff while my front is 4.10. Not a huge deficit but still not anything you want to just leave alone. I'm planning going with 4.30 in the front very soon. And eventually when I get the money for a front ARB go ahead and get 4.88s fr/rr.

I wouldn't necessarily let the fact of it being 4.30 geared scare you away. Just know you need to regear the front as well and truthfully I would wait till you got the front to put in to accommodate the rear. It's not too hard to find someone selling a front 7.5 diff with 4.30s in it. They pop up every now and then.

 

[Kotrin]

That's why the 4.10 Taco elocked 3rd member is they way to go. If I was the OP, I would definitely pass on that $300 4.30 elocker 3rd.

So your saying it isn't worth it for the effort I would have to invest? I can understand that. My options is a detroit or nothing, lol. I got about 600 set aside and that would cover me for the bearing kit etc and I would have a locker or I would have to get a detroit and just do that.

I've been looking around here but either they are 4:30's or just not available, or they are asking the normal 600+. I would love to do it just so I can say I've done it, but I do understand what your saying for the headache is it really worth it. lol.

 

[02SE]

The other option is to get an elocked 4.10 diff out of a Taco. No elockers were 4.10s in the 4runners, but they are very common in the Tacos and the diffs are the same size.

Not true.

My '97, V6, 4x4, 5 speed 4runner has 4:10 gearing, and has the rear diff locker. Every 4x4, V6, manual transmission equipped 4Runner with rear diff locker I looked at at the Dealerships when I bought mine new, was equipped the same.

The V6 automatic transmission equipped 4Runners with the E-locker had 4:30 gears.

The I4 equipped 4Runners with the E-locker had 4:56 gears.

That is how they were invariably equipped in model year '97 4Runners, at least.

I have long ago confirmed the actual gearing in my axles as 4:10's. I did so mainly because of the erroneous assertion that all E-locked 3rd gen 4Runner's have 4:30 gearing, keeps popping up on these forums year after year.

 

[brian2sun]

So your saying it isn't worth it for the effort I would have to invest? I can understand that. My options is a detroit or nothing, lol. I got about 600 set aside and that would cover me for the bearing kit etc and I would have a locker or I would have to get a detroit and just do that.

I'm not saying it isn't worth the effort. If all you want is a locker and you don't care about getting a lower gear ratio, it's just way cheaper and easier to not mess with your front at all and get a 4.10 Taco elocker. Check ebay and CL, I've see them on there many times.

I don't agree about the complete axle swap being the better option because it still leaves you with mix-matched gear ratios. Then you'll need to find and swap front diffs or pay to regear your front to a weak ratio that isn't worth the money. If your going to go to the trouble of regearing, I say do it right the 1st time or don't bother - regear to a ratio that you'll actually get some bang for your buck like 4.88s.

Here's you choices as I see them:
1) 4.10 elocker and modify the axle yourself:
~$450 avg.

2) Get a Lockright and install it yourself in your driveway:
~$250

3) Get a Detroit and have it installed (still a ratcheting locker like the Lockright, but they operate smoother):
~$500 - Locker
~$250 - Install labor

4) Get an elocked 3rd of any ratio and regear both the front and rear to a ratio that makes sense for the money like 4.88s:
$300 - The 4.30 elocker you could buy right now
~$600 - Front and rear gear sets and bearing kits
$0 - Labor to remove rear 3rd and retrofit axle
~$200 - Labor to have the rear regeared (~$50 less than the install labor for the Detroit because you'll have your 3rd member already removed)
~$450 - Labor to have front regeared

5) Get an ARB locker:
~$800 - Locker
~$150-270 - Air compressor (you can get the small one if it's just for a locker, large if you want to use the compressor for tires and other stuff also)
~$350 - Install labor (more because the compressor must be installed and everything wired in.

 

[brian2sun]

Not true.

My '97, V6, 4x4, 5 speed 4runner has 4:10 gearing, and has the rear diff locker. Every 4x4, V6, manual transmission equipped 4Runner with rear diff locker I looked at at the Dealerships when I bought mine new, was equipped the same.

The V6 automatic transmission equipped 4Runners with the E-locker had 4:30 gears.

The I4 equipped 4Runners with the E-locker had 4:56 gears.

That is how they were invariably equipped in model year '97 4Runners, at least.

I have long ago confirmed the actual gearing in my axles as 4:10's. I did so mainly because of the erroneous assertion that all E-locked 3rd gen 4Runner's have 4:30 gearing, keeps popping up on these forums year after year.

I have never come across one in person, but I believe you that yours is 4.10. I do know of a couple people that have elocked manual V6s with 4.30s though. It makes sense that they would use 4.10s in manual V6 4runners if anything, but if they in fact did ever come from the factory with 4.10s, they are very rare. So as far as the OP is concerned, they might as well not exist. Unless you are the 1st owner, they could have been changed by a PO. Do you know for sure someone didn't retrofit your elocker or change your ratio since it was new?

 

[02SE]

I have never come across one in person, but I believe you that yours is 4.10. I do know of a couple people that have elocked manual V6s with 4.30s though. It makes sense that they would use 4.10s in manual V6 4runners if anything, but if they in fact did ever come from the factory with 4.10s, they are very rare. So as far as the OP is concerned, they might as well not exist. Unless you are the 1st owner, they could have been changed by a PO. Do you know for sure someone didn't retrofit your elocker or change your ratio since it was new?

I bought my 4Runner new. I have the Monroney (window) sticker stating the gear ratio it is equipped with.

On my Monroney sticker under Optional Equipment:

Option package AW:

16x7 Aluminum Alloy Wheels (4) W/P265/70 Tires.
Chrome Wheel Arch Molding.
4.100 Rear Diff.
12.5" Front Disc Brakes.

Price: $1030.00

Option DL: Locking Rear Differential

Price: $325.00




Every '97 4Runner that had the E-locker that was on the Dealer lots at the time, was equipped as I previously said:

V6 W/manual trans 4:10's
V6 W. auto trans 4:30's
I4 W/rear diff lock 4:56

Gearing options could be different than that in other years of 3rd gens, but in '97 and in the Utah sales region, that's the way they were equipped.

 

[Nelsonmd]

I bought my 4Runner new. I have the Monroney (window) sticker stating the gear ratio it is equipped with.

On my Monroney sticker under Optional Equipment:

Option package AW:

16x7 Aluminum Alloy Wheels (4) W/P265/70 Tires.
Chrome Wheel Arch Molding.
4.100 Rear Diff.
12.5" Front Disc Brakes.

Price: $1030.00

Option DL: Locking Rear Differential

Price: $325.00




Every '97 4Runner that had the E-locker that was on the Dealer lots at the time, was equipped as I previously said:

V6 W/manual trans 4:10's
V6 W. auto trans 4:30's
I4 W/rear diff lock 4:56

Gearing options could be different than that in other years of 3rd gens, but in '97 and in the Utah sales region, that's the way they were equipped.

Hmmm, have you done the spin test on yours? Dealer could be wrong...

 

[Kotrin]

I see what you are saying about the time and effort invested. I plan to wait a few years on upgrading the gears due to family and still paying off dr bills from my lumbar fusion =\

I'll look around on craigslist and such for the 4:10 option, but our local craigslist up here alway's seems to want 600 or more =x, will try ebay though forgot about that, haha. Gotta do a lot of trust though, always hear horror stories =x


Still not able to find any, will just keep my eyes open, and look at the one available for me for awhile longer, will most likely pick it up and either try to do a straight trade for it or just put it in, lol

 

[Dbl. E]

The word "pumpkin" refers to the housing, not the diff. The e-locked diff will not bolt up to an open-diff housing and vice versa, but if it is complete axle assemblies (including diff, I didn't specify that before), then it will bolt right up. The UCA/LCA/panhard connect points are the same.

You are wrong, "pumpkin" refers to the 3rd member not the housing.

 

[02SE]

Hmmm, have you done the spin test on yours? Dealer could be wrong...

The Monroney sticker is applied by Toyota at the time of Manufacture. It's Toyota's sticker, not the Dealer's.

As I said, I long ago confirmed the actual gearing in the axles as 4:10's because of the false assertion that E-locked 4Runners are only 4:30 gearing kept popping up on forums.

I trusted that Toyota probably knew what they were building when making the various models of 4Runner, but I checked to satisfy my own curiosity.

I used to work on consumer cars as an ASE Certified Master Mechanic, so I do know how to do the spin test. Pulling the 3rd member and checking the ring and pinion isn't hard to do either, if there is any question as to the precise number of revolutions of the driveshaft, to the axle.

 

[brian2sun]

I think different regions (like Utah, as 02SE suggested) may have had different ratios in their 3rd gens. I mean, it does make sense that Toyota would send trucks with lower gear ratios to high-elevation, mountainous states like Utah as opposed to a state like Florida for example. One thing for sure is..
In general, as far as percentages go, all elocked 4runners are rare. 5 spd 4runners are also rare. A 5 spd and elocked 4runner is very rare. Elocked, 5 spd 4runners with 4.10s are so rare I would venture to say you could look at hundreds before you found one - if ever (unless maybe you're in Utah).

 

[02SE]

The 4Runner was a popular vehicle in Utah, in the late 90's. There was a good selection to choose from, at every Toyota Dealer.

Finding a 4wd 4Runner that didn't have the rear diff locker option, was rare. 4Runners with the 5 speed manual, (in the years it was available) were also easy to find. Probably because the high altitude, and mountainous terrain made the responsiveness of the manual transmission more popular, as you said.

 

[Rama]

Hey everyone,

First post here, just registered so please bear with me. I just picked up a 96 4runner 4x4 for a grand today that was t boned right in the rear driver's wheel, bending the rear axle housing and I'm guessing the shaft as well, the diff sprung a leak from the impact. I'm not going to mess with trying to fix the axle and am just going to be replacing the whole assembly. I figured I'd replace it with a locking diff. as well. I'll attach pictures of it all. A guy at a junk yard said he has a few diffs for my 4runner, and one of them is a locking diff, but the little motor that goes on the diff housing is gone, he said cuz its gone he would give me the whole assembly for $350 drum to drum ( minus the diff locking motor) Do you think this is a good deal? and if so where can i get that motor? Also where can i find the gear ratio for my 4runner?