Gear ratios, E-locker retrofit, and 4wd conversion... I want to learn!

[Ryan's19994runner]

I've got a 1999 sr5 2wd 4runner right now, and I'm trying to determine how realistic it would be for me to retrofit an E-locker. I'm willing to do the work to learn how to do it, but I just need the resources.
My first and most important question is if anybody can suggest somewhere to start learning about the workings of my 4runner. Namely the drivetrain. I feel like I have a very basic understanding, but not enough to jump into a major project.
Second question is a longer, more specific question. In the future, I'd like to consider a 4wd conversion... but that's pretty far down the road. However, I would like to add an E-locker sometime in the near future. While doing this, I figure that I would benefit from re-gearing to accommodate for larger tires. The problem with this, is that I'm currently running 265's, but would like to switch to 285's at some point. Which gearing should I choose, and how do I determine my gearing from the factory? Will the E-locker and re-gearing effect a 4wd conversion in any way? Does it make sense to re-gear before converting to a 4wd system?
I apologize if any of this is basic knowledge, or has been asked before, but like I said: I want to learn.

 

[Doc2012]

Ok. First and foremost. The drive train.

4Runner drive train is the same as the first generation Tacoma. So, doing your 4WD conversion, look for something out of a Runner or a Taco. Try to find a wrecked vehicle. That way you can have spare parts and such.
That's what I did when I did my conversion. I found a wrecked 4Runner with everything but the rear axle. Google "Doc's ZRV" for some pics.

As for the e-locker, if you can find a wrecked truck with one in it, you'll be all set. You won't have to find out about gear ratios and all that.

If you do the 4WD conversion, you need to make sure the gear ratios are the same, or you'll run into a bunch of problems.

My number is in the help thread. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call. I've been there, done it.

 

[xcmtb83]

Judging by your questions it sounds like you might be biting off more than you can chew if you decide to ever do a 4x4 and E-Locker swap. Long story short...IMO you might be better off buying the 4Runner you want instead of swapping everything. At least get a factory 4x4. The E-Locker swap isn't bad as long as you get the whole axle. The wiring is the most tedious part.

However, I will say that depending on your resources and amount of determination anything is possible. I agree that getting a complete donor vehicle would be ideal. Do you have a large nicely equipped place to complete a 4x4 swap? Do you have all of the necessary tools at your disposal? Keep in mind the swap would take quite a bit of time and almost certainly render both vehicles useless until the swap is complete or at least to a driveable state. Depending on how well you plan things out this could be an afternoon or a week. Keep in mind the Tacoma rear axle housing is different than the 4Runner axle housing. The Tacoma is leaf sprung, your 4Runner is coil sprung but the 3rd members are the same in terms of E-Lockers.

 

[Ryan's19994runner]

Judging by your questions it sounds like you might be biting off more than you can chew if you decide to ever do a 4x4 and E-Locker swap. Long story short...IMO you might be better off buying the 4Runner you want instead of swapping everything. At least get a factory 4x4. The E-Locker swap isn't bad as long as you get the whole axle. The wiring is the most tedious part.

However, I will say that depending on your resources and amount of determination anything is possible. I agree that getting a complete donor vehicle would be ideal. Do you have a large nicely equipped place to complete a 4x4 swap? Do you have all of the necessary tools at your disposal? Keep in mind the swap would take quite a bit of time and almost certainly render both vehicles useless until the swap is complete or at least to a driveable state. Depending on how well you plan things out this could be an afternoon or a week. Keep in mind the Tacoma rear axle housing is different than the 4Runner axle housing. The Tacoma is leaf sprung, your 4Runner is coil sprung but the 3rd members are the same in terms of E-Lockers.

Oh, I agree that right now I'm not even remotely capable of doing the conversions any time soon. That's not even in my sights at the moment. I just want to have everything planned out and learn the basics of how and why everything works. I also plan on having somebody help me when and if I decide to do either project.

 

[SR5Runner97]

I second the sell 2wd and buy a 4wd. took my 4runner off road yesterday and no e-locker was even needed. It was mainly rocky mud roads, nothing that was enough to get stuck of course. What type of wheeling are you doing? 4wd is very capable and very few even need e-locker. GL with whatever you do though!

 

[Ryan's19994runner]

I second the sell 2wd and buy a 4wd. took my 4runner off road yesterday and no e-locker was even needed. It was mainly rocky mud roads, nothing that was enough to get stuck of course. What type of wheeling are you doing? 4wd is very capable and very few even need e-locker. GL with whatever you do though!

There are a few reasons that I don't want to sell the 2wd to buy a 4wd (although it would be much more practical, I know). I know I'll probably be shunned for this, but I do "have" a 4wd Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (JK) with front and rear lockers, sway bar disconnects, and plenty of armor. If I want to go off-roading, I'll probably take that (for now). Then there's the sentimental value. It's not just that the 4runner was my DD throughout high-school, it was my first car, and I've dedicated most of my spending money and birthday/christmas wish lists to making it my own... but the history of it. My dad gave it to me, after he bought it from his dad, who bought it from the dealership. The thing's been in my family since '99 when it first came out, so it would be difficult to part with it. Not to mention the money I've already put into it, and the fact that I'd probably get next to nothing out of it if I sold it to buy a new 4runner. Plus, I know for a fact that my grandfather got out every weekend and scrubbed the thing with a toothbrush. Literally. It'd would be hard to beat that with something that I find on Craigslist. Maybe later down the road I'll end up buying a 4wd 4runner, but not to replace this one. Nothing can, or ever will.
As for your other questions; I really don't do any wheeling at the moment (with the 4runner) due to its inability to go through most of the stuff around here; which is mostly mud, with a few trails scattered around the rest of the state. The locker isn't so much to help me if I do a 4wd conversion, but something to help my 2wd in the meantime, and possibly teach me a few things.

 

[vipergrhd]

Sell the 2wd

I would highly suggest get rid of the 2wd and move on to a 4wd,the amount of time and money you spend can't be recoup later on it would be tough to get parts from the factory or even selling it to non familiar buyer.i'm not saying it can't be done but in the end your just better off to a factory 4wd. Just my 2 pennies.

 

[SR5Runner97]

hail hitler

I don't blame you for that reasoning. There was a 2wd 4runner named "the donkey" and he got wherever he needed to go with his locker. Then he eventually sold it for a 4wd anyways. Me, i'm not sentimental to things. I recently sold my 98 ford ranger 4x4 side step that was a beautiful forest green and my girlfriend near killed me, that was my first vehicle and I could let it go for a decent amount of cash and not look back. of course 11 mpg was an easy push. I did trade up to a 97 4runner manual!

The good thing about not selling it is that you know how it's been treated it's whole life and know it's reliable and not a lemon. Good luck with whatever you do!

 

[kernel.panik]

There are a few reasons that I don't want to sell the 2wd to buy a 4wd (although it would be much more practical, I know). I know I'll probably be shunned for this, but I do "have" a 4wd Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (JK) with front and rear lockers, sway bar disconnects, and plenty of armor. If I want to go off-roading, I'll probably take that (for now). Then there's the sentimental value. It's not just that the 4runner was my DD throughout high-school, it was my first car, and I've dedicated most of my spending money and birthday/christmas wish lists to making it my own... but the history of it. My dad gave it to me, after he bought it from his dad, who bought it from the dealership. The thing's been in my family since '99 when it first came out, so it would be difficult to part with it. Not to mention the money I've already put into it, and the fact that I'd probably get next to nothing out of it if I sold it to buy a new 4runner. Plus, I know for a fact that my grandfather got out every weekend and scrubbed the thing with a toothbrush. Literally. It'd would be hard to beat that with something that I find on Craigslist. Maybe later down the road I'll end up buying a 4wd 4runner, but not to replace this one. Nothing can, or ever will.

I know how you feel OP!

I have an 85 Truck sitting at my Mom's house with no motor or tranny. Had a 4.3L chevy V6 (sucked a ring) and a turbo 350 (stolen). I can't seem to get up the nerve to sell her. Can't find the money to re-build her...

 

[TheeMikeB]

Everything you are asking is certainly covered here on this site. Numerous write ups and build threads cover all your topics.

I hate to be the one to say it but search is your friend.

If you really want to LEARN then you need search for individual topics and study. Then if you have specific questions or don't understand ask for help and anyone here would be glad to help out. BUT you need to do your homework first.:biggrin1:

 

[Ryan's19994runner]

I would highly suggest get rid of the 2wd and move on to a 4wd,the amount of time and money you spend can't be recoup later on it would be tough to get parts from the factory or even selling it to non familiar buyer.i'm not saying it can't be done but in the end your just better off to a factory 4wd. Just my 2 pennies.

Like I said; I probably won't be selling the 2wd. Maybe in the future I'll give it to my parents for hauling the dogs around and such, then buy another 3rd generation in 4wd. Really, I'm not sure what I'm going to do as far as keeping/selling/trading my current 4runner. Regardless of that, though, my main concern right now is learning about the vehicle that I do own, as well as whatever 4wd runner I end up with in the future. I don't mean this to sound offensive or aggressive in any way, but my main question has yet to be answered.
Where can I learn about vehicle mechanics (more specifically that of the 2wd and 4wd 3rd gen 4runner)?

 

[Doc2012]

Like I said; I probably won't be selling the 2wd. Maybe in the future I'll give it to my parents for hauling the dogs around and such, then buy another 3rd generation in 4wd. Really, I'm not sure what I'm going to do as far as keeping/selling/trading my current 4runner. Regardless of that, though, my main concern right now is learning about the vehicle that I do own, as well as whatever 4wd runner I end up with in the future. I don't mean this to sound offensive or aggressive in any way, but my main question has yet to be answered.
Where can I learn about vehicle mechanics (more specifically that of the 2wd and 4wd 3rd gen 4runner)?

If you're up for a drive to Hickory, I can let you know the next time I'm in town. We can go over whatever you want.

 

[Ryan's19994runner]

Everything you are asking is certainly covered here on this site. Numerous write ups and build threads cover all your topics.

I hate to be the one to say it but search is your friend.

If you really want to LEARN then you need search for individual topics and study. Then if you have specific questions or don't understand ask for help and anyone here would be glad to help out. BUT you need to do your homework first.:biggrin1:

Maybe I just haven't done enough searching, but I'm just having a hard time figuring out how everything connects. Individual write ups are helpful, but they usually don't explain things like "why does re-gearing accommodate for larger tires" or just generally how different systems work together. A lot of the times, it's a part list, and how to make the system work, but not how or why it works.
I don't know; I'll probably have to do some more reading.

 

[Ryan's19994runner]

If you're up for a drive to Hickory, I can let you know the next time I'm in town. We can go over whatever you want.

That would be awesome! I would really appreciate having a resource like that. I go to school in Boone and my family lives in Charlotte, so you're about an hour from both if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Doc2012]

That would be awesome! I would really appreciate having a resource like that. I go to school in Boone and my family lives in Charlotte, so you're about an hour from both if I'm not mistaken.

Not a problem man.

Well, technically, a little more than an hour ATM. I'm stationed down in Jacksonville, aka Camp LeJeune. I try to get back to Hickory as often as I can, but it's tough. I'm THINKING, I MIGHT be able to make it there some time around New Years to get some stuff out of my storage building, but don't hold me to that.

I can let you know the next time I'm heading that way and we can work something out.

 

[Ryan's19994runner]

Not a problem man.

Well, technically, a little more than an hour ATM. I'm stationed down in Jacksonville, aka Camp LeJeune. I try to get back to Hickory as often as I can, but it's tough. I'm THINKING, I MIGHT be able to make it there some time around New Years to get some stuff out of my storage building, but don't hold me to that.

I can let you know the next time I'm heading that way and we can work something out.

Oh, alright. I don't know when I'll be free, but just send me a PM whenever you're headed back to Hickory and we'll see if we can make it work.