E-locker retrofit: All parts needed?

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zoombyu86

New member
I am looking into sourcing a rear-locker from a 97 and put into my 2000 LTD. I just want to make sure I ask for everything that I need.

-Entire rear axle (hub-to-hub)
-factory harness
-factory switch
-assuming I have 4.10s since Im a non-locked 2000 with auto trans? so I will need new front gears to match the 4.30. Should I source these from the seller? (if so, what should I get from him and whats a reasonable offer?)
-lastly, I've read that I need an ECM, is there more than one ECM (additional for the 4wd system?)

Thanks in advance, would just like to make one trip since its a little drive.
 
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You are probably 4.3 with an automatic transmission. Jack up one rear wheel, spin it 20 times and count how many times the drive shaft spins. Divide by 10 and that is your ratio.

I am in similar boat, just picked up a 4.3 axle for my 4.1, I'll regear the front to 4.3 as well. Rather than hack into the computer wiring I will just get an aftermarket switch and wiring etc. from Low Range Off Road for $180 I think it was. Much simpler, but you won't have the blinking light in the dash. The other advantage tho is you can engage it whenever you want, not just in 4WD.
 
zoombyu86 said:
I am looking into sourcing a rear-locker from a 97 and put into my 2000 LTD. I just want to make sure I ask for everything that I need.

-Entire rear axle (hub-to-hub)
-factory harness
-factory switch
-assuming I have 4.10s since Im a non-locked 2000 with auto trans? so I will need new front gears to match the 4.30. Should I source these from the seller? (if so, what should I get from him and whats a reasonable offer?)
-lastly, I've read that I need an ECM, is there more than one ECM (additional for the 4wd system?)

Thanks in advance, would just like to make one trip since its a little drive.
Click to expand...

Retrofit Electric Locker

For the gears (front and rear) check your vehicles gear code and the donor vehicle code. 4.30 was not the only locker gear ratio. If you need to swap easiest is grabbing the whole front differential unit.

One of the ways to wire the locker up is using the stock 4x4 ECM (see pics in link). There are other threads out there that will show you how to wire it up without the ECM
 
rkntoy said:
For the gears (front and rear) check your vehicles gear code and the donor vehicle code.
Click to expand...

Don't trust the codes, they are usually wrong. I found that out last week when I showed up to the wreckers to pick up my 4.1 axle which was 4.3
 
Mark_BC said:
Don't trust the codes, they are usually wrong. I found that out last week when I showed up to the wreckers to pick up my 4.1 axle which was 4.3
Click to expand...

Good point - can't completely trust the codes. But I wouldn't say they are usually wrong. Check the ratios if you can, especially if the donor looks like it has been modified. If you want to try and get the same front/back ratios and you can't check before you pull them just grab the front and rear.
 
Last edited:
rkntoy said:
Retrofit Electric Locker

For the gears (front and rear) check your vehicles gear code and the donor vehicle code. 4.30 was not the only locker gear ratio. If you need to swap easiest is grabbing the whole front differential unit.

One of the ways to wire the locker up is using the stock 4x4 ECM (see pics in link). There are other threads out there that will show you how to wire it up without the ECM
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, that helped out a lot.
 
If you are not prewired. The elocker harness and Ecu will be basically useless. Here are some good info and help for you that I have gathered my self when I did my swap. I personally in my 97 had only the 2 plugs under the back seat. Ended up ditching the whole OEM wiring bs and went with 12voltguy elocker harness and switch. Plug and play :)

When you do the swap, extend the elocker breather it self.

Retrofit Electric Locker

habanero's 1996 4Runner Build-Up Thread - YotaTech Forums

Biopsy of a Toyota e-Locker Swap, Part 2: Off-Road.com

12voltguy - Home

Sells a custom harness that's plug and play. Cheaper then lowrangeoffroad. I recommend 12voltguy switch if you go with his harness. I got my harness and switch after thanksgiving. It was $110 with free shipping. Lowrange is much more $ and they charge shipping. But it's up to you. Or make your own.
 
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zoombyu86 said:
Thanks for the link, that helped out a lot.
Click to expand...

No prob. You don't need the whole harness, just make sure you get enough of the wiring from the rear past the plug. Then use some 6 wire trailer wire to the ECU. Even my 99 base was wired enough that when I plugged the ECU and switch in the dash lights came on. Running the wire to the ECU from the locker was easy.
 
zoombyu86 said:
I am looking into sourcing a rear-locker from a 97 and put into my 2000 LTD. I just want to make sure I ask for everything that I need.

-Entire rear axle (hub-to-hub)
-factory harness
-factory switch
-assuming I have 4.10s since Im a non-locked 2000 with auto trans? so I will need new front gears to match the 4.30. Should I source these from the seller? (if so, what should I get from him and whats a reasonable offer?)
-lastly, I've read that I need an ECM, is there more than one ECM (additional for the 4wd system?)

Thanks in advance, would just like to make one trip since its a little drive.
Click to expand...

If you end up getting the harness, switch, and ecu from the seller. I have one for sale that I'd sell you! I have a video of it all working, pulled everything out of a 2000 tacoma
 
rkntoy said:
No prob. You don't need the whole harness, just make sure you get enough of the wiring from the rear past the plug. Then use some 6 wire trailer wire to the ECU. Even my 99 base was wired enough that when I plugged the ECU and switch in the dash lights came on. Running the wire to the ECU from the locker was easy.
Click to expand...

What exactly needs to be there for the dash lights to work? When you say "wired enough" like there should be connections for the ECU/switch that you connect to the wiring for the dash?
 
NoVAphotog said:
What exactly needs to be there for the dash lights to work? When you say "wired enough" like there should be connections for the ECU/switch that you connect to the wiring for the dash?
Click to expand...

Yes.

Take a look at the Sonoran Steel write-up. If there is a plug for the 4x4 ECU and the switch I bet when you plug the parts in your dash indicator will go on.
 
rkntoy said:
No prob. You don't need the whole harness, just make sure you get enough of the wiring from the rear past the plug. Then use some 6 wire trailer wire to the ECU. Even my 99 base was wired enough that when I plugged the ECU and switch in the dash lights came on. Running the wire to the ECU from the locker was easy.
Click to expand...

Your 99 Base 3RZ 5-speed was pre-wired!!!!!???? Do you have the factory 4.56 gearing?
That means there's hope for me!!! :guitar2::bounce:
 
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Scramble said:
Your 99 Base 3RZ 5-speed was pre-wired!!!!!???? Do you have the factory 4.56 gearing?
That means there's hope for me!!! :guitar2::bounce:
Click to expand...

Pre-wired has different meanings. See the Sonoran Steel article. That's what I was asking about. Chances are most will have some sort of connection behind the dash to the gauge cluster. That's all he had because all of the gauge clusters have the RR DIFF LOCK light just dormant. NOT the ABS + LOCKER total vehicle harness which would be a complete "pre-wire" from the factory.
 
Scramble said:
Your 99 Base 3RZ 5-speed was pre-wired!!!!!???? Do you have the factory 4.56 gearing?
That means there's hope for me!!! :guitar2::bounce:
Click to expand...

Nope - I had the 4.10 non-locking rear. I thought I was SOL. But....all the plugs were there, plugged everything in, and voila. Not sure if it is a 99 and up thing or what.
 
NoVAphotog said:
Pre-wired has different meanings. See the Sonoran Steel article. That's what I was asking about. Chances are most will have some sort of connection behind the dash to the gauge cluster. That's all he had because all of the gauge clusters have the RR DIFF LOCK light just dormant. NOT the ABS + LOCKER total vehicle harness which would be a complete "pre-wire" from the factory.
Click to expand...

Yup - it is not all prewired so you can plug and play. I had to run the 6 conductor wire up to the 4x4 ECU just like in the Sonoran instructions.
 
So I'm going to try and get out to a yard tomorrow that just got a 99 in. Hoping it has the locker. I have a 98 5 speed. Is the 4x4 computer transmission agnostic or does this complicate things?
 
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