ECGS Toyota 7.5" Front Differential Regear w/ Eaton E-Locker Install

[HiLife]

Thanks for another helpful vid Tim.

I never took apart my front diff. Mines is working just perfectly at this time. I've already watched this vid to familiarize myself of the goings on in there. And Im sure I'll watch it again when the time comes to service my front diff later down the road.

In these days when the only way the other party will lift a finger to do anything for you, is if you pay them first. That vid he shot with Mr Berry is a treat, and a very expensive one if you had to pay for his CEO level of labor.

The vids you shoot are a real help for members who have doubts in tackling that certain repair, and can't get answers on how to go about it.

Keep em coming when you have the time!

 

[mtbtim]

Thanks for another helpful vid Tim.

I never took apart my front diff. Mines is working just perfectly at this time. I've already watched this vid to familiarize myself of the goings on in there. And Im sure I'll watch it again when the time comes to service my front diff later down the road.

In these days when the only way the other party will lift a finger to do anything for you, is if you pay them first. That vid he shot with Mr Berry is a treat, and a very expensive one if you had to pay for his CEO level of labor.

The vids you shoot are a real help for members who have doubts in tackling that certain repair, and can't get answers on how to go about it.

Keep em coming when you have the time!

I was a little shocked when Chase decided he'd be the guy to shoot the videos with us. I suspect a couple reasons for this. For one, he probably wanted to have control of the delivery of the information. Two, I bet he wanted to keep his guys pumping out Toyota differentials to waiting customers so he took time out of his own schedule to meet production quotas.

It was real honor to work with Chase Perry and I'm proud of the videos we made together. I know they're going to help out a lot of people. They're also going to steer a lot of business towards ECGS, because when people see how much is involved to properly set up gears or install a locker, I figure a large percentage will just say screw that, I'm going to let ECGS do it because I know it will get done right and backed by a warranty.

Glad you like the video. We'll keep on churning out the content to help people. It's one of the most rewarding things I've done with my life. I actually get more satisfaction out of being a YouTuber than I do from my firefighting job. It's weird but true. I'm making a bigger difference as a YouTuber because of the reach I've got through the internet. I've exchanged messages with people all over the world. The 242 videos we've produced have a combined total of almost 11 million views. I'm proud of our contribution to the DIY Mechanic Community.

 

[JZiggy]

I was a little shocked when Chase decided he'd be the guy to shoot the videos with us. I suspect a couple reasons for this. For one, he probably wanted to have control of the delivery of the information. Two, I bet he wanted to keep his guys pumping out Toyota differentials to waiting customers so he took time out of his own schedule to meet production quotas.

It was real honor to work with Chase Perry and I'm proud of the videos we made together. I know they're going to help out a lot of people. They're also going to steer a lot of business towards ECGS, because when people see how much is involved to properly set up gears or install a locker, I figure a large percentage will just say screw that, I'm going to let ECGS do it because I know it will get done right and backed by a warranty.

Glad you like the video. We'll keep on churning out the content to help people. It's one of the most rewarding things I've done with my life. I actually get more satisfaction out of being a YouTuber than I do from my firefighting job. It's weird but true. I'm making a bigger difference as a YouTuber because of the reach I've got through the internet. I've exchanged messages with people all over the world. The 242 videos we've produced have a combined total of almost 11 million views. I'm proud of our contribution to the DIY Mechanic Community.

After watching the install videos I'm impressed by the fact that the CEO is himself a highly qualified diff mechanic. That's probably why he is able to build a great business with an excellent team working for him.

 

[96RedRunner]

It seems the ARB crowd found the one thing they could criticize the Eaton's on and made sure they put that message out to put doubts in the minds of potential buyers of Eaton.

Mine is a Harrop came from Aus in 19 after several months of sayers and na-sayers research
Aus was Harrop US was ARB. Hearing pro's n con's is always a good thing.

 

[96RedRunner]

After watching the install videos I'm impressed by the fact that the CEO is himself a highly qualified diff mechanic. That's probably why he is able to build a great business with an excellent team working for him.

At the 500 mi mark I drained diff as required, thru paper funnel paint filters took pictures of filter and magnetic drain plug
emailed to ECGS asked if all looked well. Response returned in less than an hour.

 

[mtbtim]

Mine is a Harrop came from Aus in 19 after several months of sayers and na-sayers research
Aus was Harrop US was ARB. Hearing pro's n con's is always a good thing.

Yes, hearing pros and cons is a good thing if you're actually hearing the pros and cons of each design. The videos I came across seemed heavily slanted towards ARB. ARB has their issues as well.

Harrop and Eaton teamed up to make the e-lockers Eaton sells. The Eaton was suggested to me by someone who's opinion I value, owns a Toyota shop and does a lot of 4wheeling, so I decided to go that route.

 

[mtbtim]

After watching the install videos I'm impressed by the fact that the CEO is himself a highly qualified diff mechanic. That's probably why he is able to build a great business with an excellent team working for him.

You should watch the Interview we did with Chase. It's a cool story how he got started and built his business to what it is today.

But, here's the cliff notes if you don't feel like watching it.

*Chase got a finance degree and worked for a nursing home company but he enjoyed flipping Toyotas for the hobby and extra money.
*He quit the finance gig and was solely flipping Toyotas for income.
*Saw a local mechanic shop ran by a father and son that needed help and worked there as a mechanic for 2 years becoming an ASE Certified Master Technician.
*Opened his own mechanic shop and worked on all makes and model vehicles.
*Realized specializing in something was the way to go and saw nobody really specialized in building differentials.
*Started East Coast Gear Supply out of a one-bay shop in a crappy neighborhood.
*Expanded into neighboring shop space in the same complex as he grew and started hiring more people.
*His current location in Louisburg is his 4th major move to a different facility.
*His current facility is 100,000 square feet and he employs anywhere from 45-50 people.
*Toyota is around 30% of his business. They ship out around 13 Toyota diffs everyday.

Chase is a Toyota guy through and through so even more reason to like the guy.

 

[96RedRunner]

Timmy, Is EAT14218-1 what you installed?
Harrop is 2 pushrod version, Eaton version has 3 pushrods so rumor of a design change is true,
according to Eaton Tech support I spoke to minute ago. That a plus for strength overall.
Asked him if amount of tire rotation for lock/unlock was changed, it has not.
It easy to live with lock time more strength for same price I payed that a win.

 

[mtbtim]

Timmy, Is EAT14218-1 what you installed?
Harrop is 2 pushrod version, Eaton version has 3 pushrods so rumor of a design change is true,
according to Eaton Tech support I spoke to minute ago. That a plus for strength overall.
Asked him if amount of tire rotation for lock/unlock was changed, it has not.
It easy to live with lock time more strength for same price I payed that a win.

Yeah, mine has 3 pushrods. The amount of rotation required for it to lock is fairly minimal. I can live with it.

 

[Mark_BC]

Well Tim I can't say how much your videos have helped me over the years. This is another great one. I just got back from a 3 week 4wd trip through BC. I didn't bring a spare CV and I wished I had for peace of mind. Here was a tough creek crossing where I wished I had a front locker. The wheel was spinning but not enough to break the CV apparently. So no harm done.

I have a million things to spend my money on between 4runners and my 60 series but I'll keep this in mind. I'd get ECGS to just ship me the complete installed differential.

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[JohnMc]

I have on-board air already, but I'm still very intrigued by the simplicity of the Eaton.

Getting an already assembled diff is a nice thing: Complete 3rd members, clamshells, and axles

My wife put an ARB on the front of her '96, and having someone here expertly install it was a significant part of the overall cost.

 

[96RedRunner]

Simplicity is where it's at for me.
E-locker electromagnet about only thing to go fubar on you.
My onboard air is compressor in a bag with 30 amp quick disconnect under hood.
Won't win any speed races airing up tires, good time to drink cold beverage
and shoot da chit.

 

[mtbtim]

Simplicity is where it's at for me.
E-locker electromagnet about only thing to go fubar on you.
My onboard air is compressor in a bag with 30 amp quick disconnect under hood.
Won't win any speed races airing up tires, good time to drink cold beverage
and shoot da chit.

Yep, I was thinking the same thing. Also, I've heard about the ARB seal problems and that's not something I want to contend with. Like you said, there's not a whole lot that can go wrong with the e-locker other than the magnet. If nothing compromises the wiring to the magnet, you probably won't have any issues. If you develop a seal issue, air compressor issue or air line issue out in BFE, you might be screwed without a working locker for the rest of the trip.

I have a portable Viair air compressor I hook up to my battery when I need it. Easy peasy and I don't have to figure out where to mount on on-board air compressor.

 

[Romeo1]

I have a portable rv viair and and an Arb twin. They’re awesome. That said, I think I want to do electric on the front locker.

Trail and drive report Tim! How’s the new setup?

 

[mtbtim]

I have a portable rv viair and and an Arb twin. They’re awesome. That said, I think I want to do electric on the front locker.

Trail and drive report Tim! How’s the new setup?

Haven't used it on the trails yet. Everything is working as it should. The real test will be in a technical trail section where 4wd and my rear locker isn't enough. Is the front locker going to make the difference I hope it does? I'm pretty sure it's going to make a significant difference. I know the rear locker is a game changer. Without the rear locker, I would have have a difficult time getting up various obstacles I've encountered on wheeling trips.

 

[Mark_BC]

Is there a sicmod that unlocks the center diff in 4LO? (for 99-00 Limiteds). I often wish I didn't have the binding in 4LO and I am nowhere near lifting a wheel; I just want the low gearing.

 

[Bad Luck]

Is there a sicmod that unlocks the center diff in 4LO? (for 99-00 Limiteds). I often wish I didn't have the binding in 4LO and I am nowhere near lifting a wheel; I just want the low gearing.

You can twin stick it and relocate the 4hi button so you can shift just the high/low selection for the transfer case or you can add a switch to interrupt the 4hi locked switch signal which will keep the front ADD from engaging

 

[mtbtim]

Is there a sicmod that unlocks the center diff in 4LO? (for 99-00 Limiteds). I often wish I didn't have the binding in 4LO and I am nowhere near lifting a wheel; I just want the low gearing.

You can do the Manual Hub Swap. That's one of the cool things you can do when you have this mod. With the hubs unlocked, you can use the low gearing of 4Lo on pavement and not jeopardize your front differential and CV axles. I've used 4Lo on steep sustained mountain roads when my trans temps starts getting really high and I don't want to have to stop and let it cool down. I throw it in 4Lo and just drive slowly up the hill and my trans temp immediately starts to drop.

I've got two videos for you. The first one shows most of what you need to know. The second one covers if you want to retain ABS function and use your 4runner spindles.

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[96RedRunner]

I have a portable Viair air compressor I hook up to my battery when I need it.

SB® APP® Connector 6331G1 - 6 Wire Gauge - 50 Amp - Red,
Works way better than the aligator type clamps that come with portable stuff.
I said 30 amp earlier it 50 amp mounted to battery clamps short pigtail.

 

[psea17]

Looking for a little guidance after watching tim's videos.

I bought a front clamshell and had zuk install an eaton elocker. since my old front diff is a non-locker, do i need a different actuator to accommodate the elocker?

thanks!