Help on Axle identification

[CodyRolph]

While doing my routine craigslist surf for anything I can't live without, I stumbled across an ad for a 3rd gen 4runner rear differential.

In my usual search these don't pop up by themselves, and to get one in what's claimed to be good working order, I've seen them start at $300 and some places ask for considerably more.

I've been considering getting an extra third member, so that I can have gears installed in it, while I drive the truck still, as it's my only vehicle, and my work commute is 17 miles 1 way. I recently installed some 315/75-16 STT pros, and am definitely planning a regear.

Now that you have the background, here is the picture of what I found.

It sure looks to me like it could be an E locker. The ad is only posted for $300, he claims it's in very good shape, and that it has 4:10 gears. No where in the ad does it state that it is an elocker third member. But says it will go into any 3rd gen 4runner.

I'm hoping you guys can help me ID that it is truly a 3rd gen 4runner differential. It seems like a really good price, but I have not yet done any research as to common failures of these differentials, or what the value of one actually is.

I'm getting the feeling, that the guy doesn't know exactly what he has. Because if it's a 4runner elocker, that means it has to have 4:30s. But since he doesn't post that it is a locker unit, he may not know entirely.

Also, if I was planning to rehear it anyways, the condition of the gears and bearings aren't as crucial anymore, because they will all be new.

Any thoughts? Good or bad buy? Should I try to get more pictures?

Thanks in advance for any information

 

[Mark_BC]

Sure looks like it. 4.1 e-lockers do exist but they are rarer than 4.3. You can get complete e-locker rear axles for $500 so price may be a bit high.

 

[deves2]

it is a locker. BUT unless you already have a locker diff this unit will NOT fit without major modification to your non-locker housing. Way easier to just buy a complete elocker diff unless you can cut and weld the old diff to accept the elocker 3rd. still easier to just buy complete locker.

 

[CodyRolph]

it is a locker. BUT unless you already have a locker diff this unit will NOT fit without major modification to your non-locker housing. Way easier to just buy a complete elocker diff unless you can cut and weld the old diff to accept the elocker 3rd. still easier to just buy complete locker.

THAT was some critical information!

 

[Scramble]

5vz e-locked manuals came with 4:10's & 3rz e-locked manuals came with 4.56. But like said above, that wont fit in your axle housing without modification. I'd buy it anyway.

 

[CodyRolph]

After some further scouring, I found someone closer well claims he had 2 broken e lockers, with enough parts to make 1 good one for $100.

Is there anything in these that breaks that would be considered out of the pheasable realm of repair?

 

[T4R2014]

$300 is steep. If you're diligent then you can find entire axles for not much more. With that said, these are all very old differentials at this point. I highly recommend new bearings before installing, in other words I'm suggesting a full rebuild. You don't want to do this job twice.

 

[CodyRolph]

$300 is steep. If you're diligent then you can find entire axles for not much more. With that said, these are all very old differentials at this point. I highly recommend new bearings before installing, in other words I'm suggesting a full rebuild. You don't want to do this job twice.

Definitely not interested in repairing a pet that was just installed. But do actuators ever fail? Or is the mechanism solid in design?

Is our the same rebuild as an open differential? You wouldn't suggest replacing any parts of the locking mechanism?

 

[rkntoy]

While doing my routine craigslist surf for anything I can't live without, I stumbled across an ad for a 3rd gen 4runner rear differential.

In my usual search these don't pop up by themselves, and to get one in what's claimed to be good working order, I've seen them start at $300 and some places ask for considerably more.

I've been considering getting an extra third member, so that I can have gears installed in it, while I drive the truck still, as it's my only vehicle, and my work commute is 17 miles 1 way. I recently installed some 315/75-16 STT pros, and am definitely planning a regear.

Now that you have the background, here is the picture of what I found.

It sure looks to me like it could be an E locker. The ad is only posted for $300, he claims it's in very good shape, and that it has 4:10 gears. No where in the ad does it state that it is an elocker third member. But says it will go into any 3rd gen 4runner.

I'm hoping you guys can help me ID that it is truly a 3rd gen 4runner differential. It seems like a really good price, but I have not yet done any research as to common failures of these differentials, or what the value of one actually is.

I'm getting the feeling, that the guy doesn't know exactly what he has. Because if it's a 4runner elocker, that means it has to have 4:30s. But since he doesn't post that it is a locker unit, he may not know entirely.

Also, if I was planning to rehear it anyways, the condition of the gears and bearings aren't as crucial anymore, because they will all be new.

Any thoughts? Good or bad buy? Should I try to get more pictures?

Thanks in advance for any information

Retrofit Electric Locker

 

[T4R2014]

Definitely not interested in repairing a pet that was just installed. But do actuators ever fail? Or is the mechanism solid in design?

Is our the same rebuild as an open differential? You wouldn't suggest replacing any parts of the locking mechanism?

Actuators can go bad. I've heard issues with them before on here. With that said, I've driven dozens of 4Runners where I was probably the first person to engage the locker in years, if not the first ever. Not suggesting that they are maintenance free, but that is as reliable as something electronically actuated can be in my eyes. Used actuators can be found and Aisin appears to be selling re-manufactured ones.

I don't recall my differential guy saying it was much different to rebuild. No idea on the locker. You'll be happy with a silent rebuilt diff, that's all I can tell you.