Grey Wire Mod For 4Runners

Matt Starr

Matt Starr

Banned
There doesn't seem to be any instructions on the web on how to do this with a 3rd Gen 4Runner so I took it upon myself to write one up, so here ya go.

This modification will allow you to use your e-lock (electronic locking) differential in 2WD, 4HI and 4LO.
Begin by removing the 4 screws holding down the door sill.

IMG_2589.jpg~original


Then remove the kick panel by pulling it straight back.

IMG_2591.jpg~original


Now locate your 4WD control system, it's a black box that says Toyota in big letters on it with a white harness plugged into the bottom of it.

IMG_2593.jpg~original


Disconnet the harness and locate 2 wires. One is be Blue w/ Red stripe, and the other is Green w/ Orange stripe. The Blue/Red wire controlls only being able to use the locking diff in 4Lo. The the Green/Orange wire controll the 5mph safety.

IMG_2586-1.jpg~original


Next, cut the Blue/Red and Green/Orange wires and twist them together. Using another piece of wire, connect one end to your twisted wires and connect the other end to a ground. You can also ground them individually if you only want to disable one of them.

IMG_2604.jpg~original

gwm_08.jpg~original


Once everything is connected, tape off the two remaining wire that are no longer used and plug your harness back into the 4WD control box

IMG_2600.jpg~original


The advantage to locking your differential is so that both tires will spin together instead of individually and thus giving you better traction. HOWEVER, I do not suggest leaving this on for long periods of time on dry pavement while in 2WD because it can wear your tires unevenly and also may cause problems with your differential. But however you decide to use it, enjoy it.
 
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id suggest leaving the 5mph safety alone this is so it wont engage the locker with speeds above 5mph but the locker will still work over 5mph when its locked
 
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Elton H said:
id suggest leaving the 5mph safety alone this is so it wont engage the locker with speeds above 5mph but the locker will still work over 5mph when its locked
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Really, everything I read said that it disengages the locker if you exceed,...some said 5mph, some said 15mph. If that is the case I want to leave it like that. Driving through Colorado mountain highways can some times require having to change into 4wd while still at high speed and I want to be able to do that with the locker.
 
I found by doing this it fooled the computer into thinking it was in 4low and the overdrive doesn't work , and the shift patterns aren't the same. I put my ground on a switch and labelled it . (used one of the spaces on the left side of dash)
 
My "grey wire" mod was done went I bought it. I checked it out for comparison. The blue wire is the only one cut, and the side connected to the plug is tapped and grounded. I have gone up to 30 or so m/h in 2H and 4H. You do not want to take turns with it engage, as it will tear up your tires and mess up your steering, off road excepted of course...

I like this mod for offroading because it gives me the freedom to use 4H, 4L and the locker in any combination.

Matt, I officially declare this the "blue wire" mod. These are 4Runners were talking about, so why scab off the taco's!! ha

Here is the photo of mine.

bluewire.jpg~original
 
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CSL said:


Matt, I officially declare this the "blue wire" mod. These are 4Runners were talking about, so why scab off the taco's!! ha

Here is the photo of mine.

bluewire.jpg~original
Click to expand...
I agree, I should have named this thread the blue wire mod lol
 
i did my mod with a buddie, and it doesnt affect my shifting, or anything like that and it works at any speed except to be engaged you have to slow to below 5mph, but after its engaged you can go fast again.
 
KellyJ said:
:sadwave:
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Sorry I didnt see you're post I must have skimmed over it. No this does not work for 01's and 02's cause they have vcs insteed. What your center lock does is distribute power to the front and rear 50/50. So there is no actually locking of anything involved.
 
Elton H said:
as far as i know they should all be a blue wire with a red stripe
Click to expand...

ok no go on the orange wire it's just the blue one?!
the write up above is good but it gets confusing as the thread goes on as it sounds like matt whatever did something wrong, lol

why did home dude get banhammered?....can i ask that ? lol

:thanks:
 
DewRunner said:
i did my mod with a buddie, and it doesnt affect my shifting, or anything like that and it works at any speed except to be engaged you have to slow to below 5mph, but after its engaged you can go fast again.
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I know I'm bringing back the dead but I want to do this mod and have a couple questions aimed mostly at this particular post

1). It's no harm in engaging your rear locker or 4wd hi system while moving at any speed right?

2). It's fine to ride off road with locker engaged making plenty of turns since traction is not as great as pavement right?

I believe the answers are all "yes" but I'd like to get confirmation on that.
 
4hi is fine but the saftey feature for the locker wont allow it to lock over 5mph and ive use just the locker off road didint hurt anything
 
cj80cruiser said:
I know I'm bringing back the dead but I want to do this mod and have a couple questions aimed mostly at this particular post

1). It's no harm in engaging your rear locker or 4wd hi system while moving at any speed right?

^^^No you do not want to engage at any speed IMO ^^^

2). It's fine to ride off road with locker engaged making plenty of turns since traction is not as great as pavement right?

^^^ IMO Yes I have the E-locker and I run it a lot off road in 4hi, 4lo, and 2wd. Disabling the 4lo safety is great because you can run the e-locker in any transfer case setting. But I would deff. leave the 5mph safety as this will only allow the locker to engage under 5 mph how ever once engaged you can run any speed, not necessarily safely but as with anything use comm on since
Remember this is just my opinions

I believe the answers are all "yes" but I'd like to get confirmation on that.
Click to expand...

I hope this helps also on the runner the wire is not gray but is the same affect I'll find another link shortly.

^^^sorry this is the link but you already know that^^^
 
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driffter33 said:
I hope this helps also on the runner the wire is not gray but is the same affect I'll find another link shortly.

^^^sorry this is the link but you already know that^^^
Click to expand...

yeah this thread says its actually blue with red stripe and yes i'd leave that orange/green one alone.
 
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