E-locker to open diff axle conversion?

[White 4x4runner]

So I was in an accident a few months back and now my axle housing is bent. I'm rather broke so 1000 dollars for a replacement isn't really an option. The junkyard near my house has a 2000 limited with an e-locker. Third member and axles are gone so its just housing. I'm thinkin of buyin it and modifying it to accept my open diff. Pretty much just reverse what some people have done on here by modifying them to accept the locker. I'm pretty sure I've got all the tools I'd need to make it work. Mig/tig, plasma cutter, grinders, drill press and knowledge

What do you guys think? Does this seem like its feasible?

 

[Singtoe]

How cheap is the axle housing? If is free, then yes, cut weld and retro fit. Otherwise, I would look on car-part.com and see if you can find the correct part.

 

[Ol'Blue]

yeah,

I'm not sure what I would do on that one man. That E-Locker is really nice. I would try and find one on the cheap.

Blue

 

[White 4x4runner]

The salvage yard wants 100 bucks. And I'd be getting the housing plus everything bolted to it. I've searched already and the best I've found was 750 shipped to me but they have none with 4.10 gearing. Anyone have a link to the conversion?

 

[DeathCougar]

The salvage yard wants 100 bucks. And I'd be getting the housing plus everything bolted to it. I've searched already and the best I've found was 750 shipped to me but they have none with 4.10 gearing. Anyone have a link to the conversion?

Do you just need a Non-Elocker housing? And/Or a complete assembly?

I have a 4.10 Non-Elocker complete axle here in Washington. Looking at $300+ship for the assembly. I can strap it to a pallet if you arrange shipping.

Btw if your rear axle is bent, you definitely need the axle on the side it was hit and possibly the 3rd member. Since the rear axle is a semi float, the diff supports some weight of the vehicle (on the pivot). What that means to you is when the housing bends, it jams the axle sideways in the diff damaging the spider gears and the carrier bearings.

 

[KSWAY]

Check your local Craigslist. I see them selling for cheap all the time.
If you were closer you could have had one for free. I picked up an open 4.10 for my brother last week off craiglist and the guy wanted me to take the whole rear. Axle,housing,diff. put I only took the rear diff and axles.

 

[White 4x4runner]

Check your local Craigslist. I see them selling for cheap all the time.
If you were closer you could have had one for free. I picked up an open 4.10 for my brother last week off craiglist and the guy wanted me to take the whole rear. Axle,housing,diff. put I only took the rear diff and axles.

If I was closer? I'm in nor cal. I'm in the Bay Area all the time. But yeah I'll check outn craigs

 

[RussToy]

If I was closer? I'm in nor cal. I'm in the Bay Area all the time. But yeah I'll check outn craigs

Don't know if you know of Jim's Yoda Yard? It's a graveyard for all Toyota trucks and 4Runners. He's pretty reasonable on parts and shipping...he in Colorado. I'm sure he'll have your parts your looking for...open or locker. Although he's got a web site...I got best results by calling.

jim?s used toyota truck parts


Good luck buddy...

 

[KidVermicious]

Does anybody have an answer to the original question? Has anybody ever laid an open third against an elocker housing (or open housing modded for the elocker) to see how it lines up?

I haven't compared the two side by side in person, but from the above photo, it really looks like it might be possible to make an elocker housing accept an open third, just by pulling a couple studs out. The question is if there's a gap between the open thirds' rim and the cavity for the elocker mechanism (bottom of the above pic). Has anyone done it, or tried and failed?

 

[DeathCougar]

I have personally put a non-Elock diff into an E-lock housing .

It leaves gaps where the cutouts are, AND where the stud holes are in the diff itself. Plus you lose 4 studs, so its impossible to tighten down. You can make an E-lock housing accept an open third, but only to roll the truck around the lot. It cannot be used for normal driving duties without major modifications.

 

[KidVermicious]

That answers that I guess. Thanks.

 

[rideexileex]

I would say your better bet would be to take the elocker axle on hand and trade / sell to someone wanting the elocker axle. You have the more desirable part... I'm sure you could make it work.

 

[KidVermicious]

I would say your better bet would be to take the elocker axle on hand and trade / sell to someone wanting the elocker axle. You have the more desirable part... I'm sure you could make it work.

In terms of carrying trail spares, it would be sweet to have a housing set up to take elocker or open thirds. Sounds like it'll be difficult to make happen though.