Help. I don't want to buy a Ford

[STAGE 2]

I mean it. After 4 consecutive Toyota 4x4's I really don't want to buy a Ford. But I also refuse to play the game of "you can have package A or package B" neither with everything I do or don't want. There's really no excuse why other manufacturers can offer individual options and Toyota doesn't, but I digress.

I researched on this forum and others but haven't been able to find a definitive answer to these two questions.

1) Can you add a factory e-locker to a sr5 4runner? I understand that it will require swapping the entire rear axle, but that's a simple undertaking. My main concern is with the wiring as it my understanding that unlike the earlier Toyota elockers, later versions were not a separate individual system but wired into the ECU.

2. Is the the transfer case in the TRD/OR (with the lever) swappable with the dial case? Again I realize some interior parts will be required, but they mount to the same transmission so that shouldn't be an issue.

Whether these things can be done are going to determine my next purchase. And to cut some off at the pass, I understand these things will not be cost effective. I just can't justify spending over 40k on a vehicle that I cant have dialed in the way I want. Thanks in advance.

 

[DigitalAviatorZ]

You are right, it won't be cost effective so you should just buy the trim that has the things you want. You'll spend more trying to swap things like lockers and transfer cases and end up with a frankenstein build that will make service complicated.

 

[Saker]

^^^^
This, plus with the Frankenstein version, you have absolutely ZERO warranty (on your installed parts) in the event you have a failure.
TRDORP is a good place to start.

 

[STAGE 2]

I appreciate the replies guys but As I said above I’m not interested in whether it’s cost effective, will void my warranty or anything like that. I’m concerned about whether it is possible from an electronics standpoint (either plug and play or not far from it) as well in terms of the transfer case swappable without any major fabrication or adapters.

 

[Gamma Ray]

A used SR5 and then putting in an aftermarket locker might be your best option. That's my best option, but I bought new, so I'm going to have to wait until the warranty expires before doing an aftermarket locker.

Of course, used prices of 4Runners are :redbrick: these days, so this might not be the best time to make a move on a vehicle at all.

 

[osugsxr]

I mean it. After 4 consecutive Toyota 4x4's I really don't want to buy a Ford. But I also refuse to play the game of "you can have package A or package B" neither with everything I do or don't want. There's really no excuse why other manufacturers can offer individual options and Toyota doesn't, but I digress.

I researched on this forum and others but haven't been able to find a definitive answer to these two questions.

1) Can you add a factory e-locker to a sr5 4runner? I understand that it will require swapping the entire rear axle, but that's a simple undertaking. My main concern is with the wiring as it my understanding that unlike the earlier Toyota elockers, later versions were not a separate individual system but wired into the ECU.

2. Is the the transfer case in the TRD/OR (with the lever) swappable with the dial case? Again I realize some interior parts will be required, but they mount to the same transmission so that shouldn't be an issue.

Whether these things can be done are going to determine my next purchase. And to cut some off at the pass, I understand these things will not be cost effective. I just can't justify spending over 40k on a vehicle that I cant have dialed in the way I want. Thanks in advance.

buy the bronco

 

[Charlievee]

Could get an off road and remove the crawl control... I guess.

 

[mo_mo]

I mean it. After 4 consecutive Toyota 4x4's I really don't want to buy a Ford. But I also refuse to play the game of "you can have package A or package B" neither with everything I do or don't want. There's really no excuse why other manufacturers can offer individual options and Toyota doesn't, but I digress.

If a chef is good at making a specific dish, and you jump in and want the chef to make it 'your way', don't expect the quality to be very good... there are plenty of reasons to not offer 'every mod every way', and that might be one of the reasons Toyota is known for reliability, but I digress.

I researched on this forum and others but haven't been able to find a definitive answer to these two questions.

1) Can you add a factory e-locker to a sr5 4runner? I understand that it will require swapping the entire rear axle, but that's a simple undertaking. My main concern is with the wiring as it my understanding that unlike the earlier Toyota elockers, later versions were not a separate individual system but wired into the ECU.

2. Is the the transfer case in the TRD/OR (with the lever) swappable with the dial case? Again I realize some interior parts will be required, but they mount to the same transmission so that shouldn't be an issue.

Whether these things can be done are going to determine my next purchase. And to cut some off at the pass, I understand these things will not be cost effective. I just can't justify spending over 40k on a vehicle that I cant have dialed in the way I want. Thanks in advance.

Tackling this 'problem' from the other direction? What option is on the SR5 that you do/don't get with a vehicle that comes with e-locker and transfer case shifter that you want/don't want?

You want:
3rd row seating (has been added and removed from various folks 4Runners)
Sunglass holder (not sure if you get one or not on the new models... looks like it's still activated by the dials and not a screen/stalk control from Toyota's website)
Badging
.
.
.

You don't want:
Crawl Control / MTS
KDSS (usually optional depending upon dealer availability etc.)
Badging
.
.
.

You can add the e-locker and hard wire it to your own switch (or the stock switch) without the smarts (you are the smarts... might miss the dash light etc, but you could engage it in 4H or 2H if you wanted to depending upon how you wire it up). You can also go aftermarket e-locker front and rear if desired.

There was someone on here that I believe added add crawl control to their SR5.
Crawl Control Retrofit to SR5 Success!
Would probably be similar for the e-locker for the system to see it as 'factory'.

The transfer case with lever swap could be done... time and money

 

[STAGE 2]

buy the bronco

If I do it won't be the Bronco. It will be the F250. Different animal I know, but its got a pushrod V8 and I can option it exactly how I want... vinyl seats, carpet delete and an elocker.

 

[Saker]

If I do it won't be the Bronco. It will be the F250. Different animal I know, but its got a pushrod V8 and I can option it exactly how I want... vinyl seats, carpet delete and an elocker.

How boring is that?

J/K

 

[Whippersnapper02]

1.) You can always add an aftermarket locker.

2.) The manual case is only half manual anyway. The front diff is still electronic. The knob system works just fine as long as you exercise it.

3.) If you are looking for capacities, the F250 is the way to go. Make sure you get something that will fit your needs because they are completely different animals.

4.) Your warranty is not voided for changing parts or adding aftermarket parts and service is the same for all Runner models.

5.) Don't limit yourself to Toyota offerings.

 

[STAGE 2]

If a chef is good at making a specific dish, and you jump in and want the chef to make it 'your way', don't expect the quality to be very good... there are plenty of reasons to not offer 'every mod every way', and that might be one of the reasons Toyota is known for reliability, but I digress.

"You can have any color you want as long as its black" speaks for itself. No reason why I shouldn't be able to special order a certain color if they already offer it for that model. As far as reliability, Toyota still offered these things as individual options when their reputation for reliability was at its peak. It doesn't make any sense that an e locker in an SR% would be unreliable when they offer it in the TRD which has the same engine, transmission, drive shaft, axles, etc.

Tackling this 'problem' from the other direction? What option is on the SR5 that you do/don't get with a vehicle that comes with e-locker and transfer case shifter that you want/don't want?

You want:
3rd row seating (has been added and removed from various folks 4Runners)
Sunglass holder (not sure if you get one or not on the new models... looks like it's still activated by the dials and not a screen/stalk control from Toyota's website)
Badging
.
.
.

You don't want:
Crawl Control / MTS
KDSS (usually optional depending upon dealer availability etc.)
Badging
.
.
.

The SR5 come with a standard ignition key (this is my must have; I'm in and around water too much to deal with the fob keyless thing) and has the interior I want. (I get that this second one is borderline petty, but a 4runner should look like a 4runner and not a BMW. The fact that these are a throwback to the first generation interior pattern that I owned is a nice plus too).

The only things I want off the TRD/OR are the manual transfer case and the locker. The SR5 already comes with ATRAC so I don't really care about the crawl control or anything else.

Forgot to add, non functioning hood scoops, particularly on a 4x4 are ghey.

You can add the e-locker and hard wire it to your own switch (or the stock switch) without the smarts (you are the smarts... might miss the dash light etc, but you could engage it in 4H or 2H if you wanted to depending upon how you wire it up). You can also go aftermarket e-locker front and rear if desired.

No desire for aftermarket. Not messing with airlines or a compressor and I don't think the harrop is as good as the factory unit.

When you say without the smarts are you referring to the ECU cause that's what I'm trying to figure out. I don't know if the OR has a different ECU than the SR5. I get that anything can be made to work but with the way new vehicles are often times they program things which you can get around without adversely effecting other systems.

There was someone on here that I believe added add crawl control to their SR5.
Crawl Control Retrofit to SR5 Success!
Would probably be similar for the e-locker for the system to see it as 'factory'.

The transfer case with lever swap could be done... time and money

Thanks. I'll look into that thread. I'm ok with time and money as long as its bolt in. What I don't want to do is start cutting or running adaptors.

 

[STAGE 2]

How boring is that?

J/K

What can I say... I'm a party animalimp:

 

[STAGE 2]

1.) You can always add an aftermarket locker.

Hard no for reasons stated above.

2.) The manual case is only half manual anyway. The front diff is still electronic. The knob system works just fine as long as you exercise it.

Only until you delete the ADD with the housing from a FJ Cruiser with a 6 speed. :guitar3:

3.) If you are looking for capacities, the F250 is the way to go. Make sure you get something that will fit your needs because they are completely different animals.

No question, but I'm a Toyota guy, and love the fact that this is still made in Japan. I also love the 4.0 and its drivetrain because their reliability is proven Cant say that about the Ford. It might be great, but its still too soon to tell.

4.) Your warranty is not voided for changing parts or adding aftermarket parts and service is the same for all Runner models.

Correct, assuming the issue wasn't caused by the replaced part, which would be interesting since the part would be from Toyota. Regardless it doesn't matter since whatever I get is gonna sit in my garage for far longer than any warranty.

5.) Don't limit yourself to Toyota offerings.

Not much else out there with respect to midsize body on frame 4x4s.

 

[thennen]

Toyota sold about 130,000 4Runners in 2019. Ford sold about 900,000 F-Series pickups in 2019. That’s one possible reason for the difference in granularity of offerings.

 

[mo_mo]

"You can have any color you want as long as its black" speaks for itself. No reason why I shouldn't be able to special order a certain color if they already offer it for that model. As far as reliability, Toyota still offered these things as individual options when their reputation for reliability was at its peak. It doesn't make any sense that an e locker in an SR% would be unreliable when they offer it in the TRD which has the same engine, transmission, drive shaft, axles, etc.

It’s not that the individual parts are the unreliable feature, it’s that making everything one off special (color, parts, etc.) degrades quality. You now how everything special built which means more opportunities for mistakes. It’s just the way the world of MFG operates, and Toyota has clearly drawn the line where they have and they don’t care if you want ten engines with one hundred transmission etc. options. It’s not personal, it just is what it is. When you go to a fast food place and order a custom burger, some places are good with getting customization just right, and others really suck at it.

The SR5 come with a standard ignition key (this is my must have; I'm in and around water too much to deal with the fob keyless thing) and has the interior I want. (I get that this second one is borderline petty, but a 4runner should look like a 4runner and not a BMW. The fact that these are a throwback to the first generation interior pattern that I owned is a nice plus too).

The only things I want off the TRD/OR are the manual transfer case and the locker. The SR5 already comes with ATRAC so I don't really care about the crawl control or anything else.




No desire for aftermarket. Not messing with airlines or a compressor and I don't think the harrop is as good as the factory unit.

When you say without the smarts are you referring to the ECU cause that's what I'm trying to figure out. I don't know if the OR has a different ECU than the SR5. I get that anything can be made to work but with the way new vehicles are often times they program things which you can get around without adversely effecting other systems.



Thanks. I'll look into that thread. I'm ok with time and money as long as its bolt in. What I don't want to do is start cutting or running adaptors.

I’m not sure what the concern is about water and the ignition key. Is it that the key/fob itself is getting wet, or that the truck electrical is getting wet. The FOB does have a physical key I believe. Either way, it’s probably easier to retrofit fob back to keyed than the other way around. I believe the body control unit manages those electronics, and again if trying to go factory you would have to replace that (not cheap). Maybe a new steering column cover and dash trim along with the ignition switch, but no idea on how much electrical would carry over. There are a few threads on trying to upgrade SR5s to FOB, but I’m not sure any of them were 100% successful.

The ‘smarts’ for the 4x4 system are in a four wheel drive control module. It’s located behind the glove box area.

Crawl control is a gimmick for me, but MTS is advantageous. MTS is tuneable A-Trac, and can run ‘sand’ mode in 4H (where you hear people complaining about A-trac cutting power in mud etc. and they are forced into 4L).

If you’re serious about these retrofits either way, I’d recommend looking through one of the 4Runner Repair Manuals and dissecting each system to understand the failure modes each has and what sensors etc. each one will require.

Interior should be fairly easy to swap or put on covers for your desired look… I don’t think anyone is going to confuse a 4Runner interior for a BMW, and I’m sure a local upholster could do you up with whatever layout you want.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Hard no for reasons stated above.

Harrop makes good products so you don't have to mess with airlines.

Only until you delete the ADD with the housing from a FJ Cruiser with a 6 speed. :guitar3:

Hardly no one or actually no one does that.

No question, but I'm a Toyota guy, and love the fact that this is still made in Japan. I also love the 4.0 and its drivetrain because their reliability is proven Cant say that about the Ford. It might be great, but its still too soon to tell.

You're just limiting your options.

Correct, assuming the issue wasn't caused by the replaced part, which would be interesting since the part would be from Toyota. Regardless it doesn't matter since whatever I get is gonna sit in my garage for far longer than any warranty.

Even if the part caused the failure, your warranty isn't just gone. The dealer simply refuses to cover the work.

Not much else out there with respect to midsize body on frame 4x4s.

Correct which is why I went Runner. I like the Explorer more but they were still a transverse drivetrain layout. Also they're not true 4wd. The Bronco wasn't out yet and I will never buy first or even second year of a new model.

When I was shopping I was considering a F150 because I wanted tow/hauling capacity but it wouldn't fit my current living situation.

You can always go TRD non premium. There would be a regular key with that.

 

[Gamma Ray]

Wait, so this guy actually wants the lever actuator instead of the dial actuator? Dude, just get a TRDOR. TRDORP if you're fancy. TRD Pro if you're a big baller. What you're describing is the Off Road trim. Then find a hood swap. Hit up some junkyards. I don't know. I can't believe this guy got a whole chapter of a book's worth of reply content for being epically anal.

ghey

Quit it with the homophobic crap. It's so guy that's a pain in the butt about being granular about his potential SUV that he's probably not old enough to buy anyway if he's calling fake hood scoops ghey.

 

[Baystate4Runner]

I mean it. After 4 consecutive Toyota 4x4's I really don't want to buy a Ford. But I also refuse to play the game of "you can have package A or package B" neither with everything I do or don't want. There's really no excuse why other manufacturers can offer individual options and Toyota doesn't, but I digress....
.

buy the bronco

Ford is doing the same with the Bronco...not all options are individual.
You can have the manual transmission only with the 4 cylinder engine. If you want the 6 cylinder - no manual for you.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

You Can't Always Get What You Want - YouTube