E-Locker install in the Bay Area

[bu11etz]

Hi Guys,

I know several of the forum members have done the e-locker swap on their 3rd gens themselves but unfortunately my time does not allow for me to do it myself so Im looking for recommendations on a shop or an individual in the Bay Area that would is familiar with whats involved and would be able to handle the job. I checked in with Schaffers Offroad in Alameda and while they build great custom Rigs they have never done the E-locker swap and said it would probably take 8-9 hours and if 9hours it would cost $1300. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Im out in Walnut Creek and work in SF so all of the Bay Area is doable. Thanks in advance

I have the rear 3rd member, matching front diff with 4.30 gears, wiring harness, factory computer and switch and rear gasket.

 

[Mighty Buffalo]

You might try Diablo Offroad, local in WC.

Diablo Offroad And Performance - 38 Reviews - Auto Repair - 1275 Pine St, Walnut Creek, CA - Phone Number - Yelp

Cliff put in my ARB air locker. He's got a lot of Toyotas in the shop, and he'd probably be able to give you a good idea of how much it would cost.

 

[bu11etz]

Thanks, will cruise by and see what he says. -Nik

 

[3bears]

You might try Diablo Offroad, local in WC.

Diablo Offroad And Performance - 38 Reviews - Auto Repair - 1275 Pine St, Walnut Creek, CA - Phone Number - Yelp

Cliff put in my ARB air locker. He's got a lot of Toyotas in the shop, and he'd probably be able to give you a good idea of how much it would cost.

sounds like good advice, go with a shop that has done Toyotas.
you said you have the 3rd member. Are you replacing a elocker with a different ratio, otherwise if switching from a non locker to a locker, you either need the elocker diff housing or someone with the knowledge to modify your stock housing to accept the elocker 3rd member.
1300 for swapping in an elocker, swapping the front diff to a different ratio and installing the harness etc, does not sound like that bad of a deal.
However dropping the entire diff with nothing more than a floor jack and a few tools is less than an hour. Install is of course longer.

Another thing to think about, is doing the gray wire mod at the time. This allows you to go into locker mode in 2wd and 4wd high rather than just the stock set up of 4wd low. Now that mine is set that way, I can lock into 4wd high and rarely have the need to use 4wd low, but I don't do heavy crawling.

good luck

 

[JohnMc]

That front diff is a far larger PITA to swap than you'd think. The whole front suspension has to come apart (to remove the CV shafts) - the steering rack has to unbolt from the crossmember. A lot more work than swapping either a 3rd member or a whole axle on the rear.

And as mentioned, elocker 3rd members don't go into non-locker axle housings without some time-consuming modifications.

 

[t4rhoey]

Any luck with getting a shop to do the swap? I’m looking to install lockers front and rear in my 3rd gen. While I’m at it I figured it would be the right time to do gears since I’m planning on running 35s . So I’m looking for a shop or ideas on how to accomplish this. My First time posting and using this site so not sure how exactly to get these questions out and answered?

 

[MarkamisPrime]

Installed my front locker in less than a day.
It’s not as hard as people think and you don’t have to remove nearly as much as it looks like.
It’s not hard just time consuming
If you want cheap labor but good work try 4 wheel parts in San Jose or Santa Rosa
I’m sure there is a few stores in between those two but idk how good the techs are.
Most shops usually have at least one guy that knows how to install gears.