Front Differential Swap

[psea17]

hello,

bought a '99 rear axle w 4:30 gears, grabbed the matching gear for the front. decided i wanted a front elocker so i grabbed a new one from ECGS. had zuk set it up.

but i think i need an actuator for it, right? anyone know the part number? will it fit without modification or do i need to replace other parts? i only received the 3rd member, not any of the 'arms' or shaft that extend from it.

thanks in advance!

 

[Dezert4Runner]

The actuator and diff tube would swap over from the diff you’re currently running. Did they do the needle bearing or ECGS bushing on the driver’s side in the newly setup diff? If not, now would be a good time to do so before you install it. Unless you’re of the mindset if it ain't broke, don’t fix it. It can wreak havoc if it decides to fail later on.

 

[psea17]

so despite not having a front locking actuator on my truck now it will still lock using it? kind of surprised. happily so, but surprised.

are they all the same whether diff has a locker or not?

 

[Dezert4Runner]

so despite not having a front locking actuator on my truck now it will still lock using it? kind of surprised. happily so, but surprised.

are they all the same whether diff has a locker or not?

The stock actuator on your 4Runner’s front 7.5” clamshell is to engage 4wd, not the locker. You’ll swap whatever actuator is on your old front diff and the diff tube and once bolted up your 4wd will function on the newly setup diff. How you engage the e-locker is I believe what you’re asking? No 3rd gens came stock with a front locker or the associated wiring, so that is all aftermarket.

 

[mtbtim]

If you got an e-locker from ECGS, I'm assuming it's an Eaton. You should have gotten a wiring harness and switch with it. If you need a tutorial on how to wire it up, here you go.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kip0rTGfRpE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Romeo1]

If you got an e-locker from ECGS, I'm assuming it's an Eaton. You should have gotten a wiring harness and switch with it. If you need a tutorial on how to wire it up, here you go.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kip0rTGfRpE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Tim, how you liking the E locker so far?

 

[psea17]

If you got an e-locker from ECGS, I'm assuming it's an Eaton. You should have gotten a wiring harness and switch with it. If you need a tutorial on how to wire it up, here you go.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kip0rTGfRpE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

thanks timmy! i watched all of your videos...at least twice lol. would like to hear about your experience w your elocker.

on a slightly different note, can the front mounting arms be removed while the diff is still in the truck? i want to burn out those old bushings and replace them in advance of my buddy coming over to help me....so i can perhaps shorten a long day? think it will be harder for the diff to come out without those arms attached?...or little difference?

thanks for the input guys! it's ALWAYS much appreciated.

 

[shadow247]

thanks timmy! i watched all of your videos...at least twice lol. would like to hear about your experience w your elocker.

on a slightly different note, can the front mounting arms be removed while the diff is still in the truck? i want to burn out those old bushings and replace them in advance of my buddy coming over to help me....so i can perhaps shorten a long day? think it will be harder for the diff to come out without those arms attached?...or little difference?

thanks for the input guys! it's ALWAYS much appreciated.

The Front diff arms can be removed without taking the whole diff out

 

[mtbtim]

Tim, how you liking the E locker so far?

I haven't gone wheeling to test it out yet, so I can't really give a review.

 

[mtbtim]

thanks timmy! i watched all of your videos...at least twice lol. would like to hear about your experience w your elocker.

on a slightly different note, can the front mounting arms be removed while the diff is still in the truck? i want to burn out those old bushings and replace them in advance of my buddy coming over to help me....so i can perhaps shorten a long day? think it will be harder for the diff to come out without those arms attached?...or little difference?

thanks for the input guys! it's ALWAYS much appreciated.

Yeah Dude, they can. I thought you watched all our videos at least twice. Maybe you fell asleep during this one.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KpkzuDFvSW0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[psea17]

lol. didn't know there was a specific video just for that!!! another 2 views incoming