Factory E-Locker Vs. Aftermarket

I'll throw my 2 cents of fuel on this fire because I have both an auto locker (Spartan) in my trail rig and a selectable (Toyota electric) in my DD/expo use rig.

I love the Spartan auto locker because it is always on and is pretty quiet as a lunchbox locker. The trail rig only has 33" tires right now so I am well within the lockers capabilities. I am looking to go with 37s and know that lunchbox lockers tend to be problematic at that size. I might just stay on 35s and keep my locker until I can swap in tons/lockers and link the rig. But that is a different six pack of beer conversation.

I swapped in a Toyota electric locker on my '01 4Runner because it is my DD and expo rig. I need the ease of open/open for daily use; but occasionally find it in 4wd at work. When I go to Big Bend Ranch State Park or take the 4R to a dedicated off road park I engage the locker as needed to get through some sketchy stuff. I am only running 32" tires on the rig so I am well within the limits of the locker. I went with ease of install and I got a screaming hot deal on it; otherwise I was planning ARB. If my money tree ever starts growing I might put an ARB in my front diff; but that would be a locker I would hope to never need to use on this rig.

So there is my 2 cents.
 
Bumbo said:
I would have a really hard time letting go of a selectable locker for a Detroit.

Both have their pros and cons, but I like having the control. Detroit is probably more robust/durable but you also have some slop in the drive line with it too.

What type of off-road driving do you like to do?
Click to expand...

See my avatar? That kind.
 
Hey folks I don't have enough posts to post my own question yet so I figured I'd ask here.

My 99 Limited has the e-locker and it works great. I'm not used to it because all my jeeps had auto-lockers and I got used to the erratic handling of those rigs.

I got two questions:

When my locker is engaged I get a flashing diff lock symbol on the dash. I'm guessing the flashing is normal? The 4x4 light also flashes in 4x4. My experience with other rigs was always a solid steady light, not flashing. Normal?

What normally causes e-locker failure? What should I look for in order to keep the locker functioning normally? My 99 has 152k but was amazingly maintained and everything on it works like it should.


Thanks
 
Mudeprived said:
When my locker is engaged I get a flashing diff lock symbol on the dash. I'm guessing the flashing is normal? The 4x4 light also flashes in 4x4. My experience with other rigs was always a solid steady light, not flashing. Normal?
Click to expand...

Actually, either light flashing implies it's NOT engaged.
It will flash UNTIL it engages.
If it's flashing, it's not working great...
Google all variations of elocker failure/fix/problem/whatever, and there is much information on how to fix or clean malfunctioning e-lockers.
I am currently have a hard time troubleshooting mine.
It works on the bench- and I have power back to it- but when I plug it in, no workie [emoji21]
 
Tyler James Inc said:
Actually, either light flashing implies it's NOT engaged.
It will flash UNTIL it engages.
If it's flashing, it's not working great...
Google all variations of elocker failure/fix/problem/whatever, and there is much information on how to fix or clean malfunctioning e-lockers.
I am currently have a hard time troubleshooting mine.
It works on the bench- and I have power back to it- but when I plug it in, no workie [emoji21]
Click to expand...

That is what I thought but they do engage. I was testing it out on my snow covered driveway which is a hill. I could not get up in 2wd (it went backwards cuz of no traction)but went up when the diff lock was flashing. I did a second attempt with 4wd and same result. I will check things out.
 
Mudeprived said:
That is what I thought but they do engage. I was testing it out on my snow covered driveway which is a hill. I could not get up in 2wd (it went backwards cuz of no traction)but went up when the diff lock was flashing. I did a second attempt with 4wd and same result. I will check things out.
Click to expand...

Really? Hm, well then maybe your engaged indicator switch on the actuator has failed somehow. Hm, interesting. Well at least yours is working!
 
I just picked up my 3rd 3rd Gen 4Runner, this time I waited to find the unicorn I'd always wanted; a 2000 Sport Edition with a manual trans, and ideally a locker. I found a super-clean low-mileage 5-speed truck but it didn't have a locker. I mentioned that to the seller (a broker who had just gotten the truck from the original owner) and to my delight he told me he had a Limited parts truck with a locker and he would give me all the parts to swap it into the Sport edition truck. Done deal! I got the complete rear axle and I made sure to get the complete front third member as well since it has 4.30s in it to match the rear. Also got the dash button, locker ECU and wiring harness.

Anyone able to verify if the front third members are compatible between the Limited and the Sport Edition 3rd Gen trucks? Not sure if they use the same 4WD system in both variants. My Sport edition is model year 2000 and I believe the Limited donor truck was also a 2000.

Thanks in advance.
 
3rd3rdGen said:
Anyone able to verify if the front third members are compatible between the Limited and the Sport Edition 3rd Gen trucks?
Click to expand...

First of all- nice score on the '00 5mt Sport! That's a killer combo [emoji1598]
As far as the front diff goes, they are interchangeable. The only difference in 3rd gen front diffs is that '01/02 use an electric actuator for the ADD, while the '96-00 use a vacuum actuator. The actuators are also interchangeable, in that you can use either actuator on any diff.
I guess you could say the different gearing is also a difference, but since you mentioned the 4.30, you are aware of gearing.
Hope that helps!
 
Tyler James Inc said:
First of all- nice score on the '00 5mt Sport! That's a killer combo [emoji1598]
As far as the front diff goes, they are interchangeable. The only difference in 3rd gen front diffs is that '01/02 use an electric actuator for the ADD, while the '96-00 use a vacuum actuator. The actuators are also interchangeable, in that you can use either actuator on any diff.
I guess you could say the different gearing is also a difference, but since you mentioned the 4.30, you are aware of gearing.
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...

Thanks Tyler! I'm really stoked on the truck, I've wanted one with a manual since '00 when I got my first 3rd Gen, which was a '96 SR5 4x4.

Glad to know the parts will swap directly over. Thanks for the info.

Sean
 
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