Leaking rear diff. What are my upgrade options?

[dodger]

My rear diff is leaking, so I guess it's time to do some rear locker upgrading

Would you guys help me narrow down my options for rear lockers?

• My 1998 SR5 manual transmission 3.4L V6 4Runner is a daily driver in San Francisco
• I spend a lot of time in the Sierras during the winter (I grew up in Alaska, so I'm a very competent snow/ice driver)
• I spend more than a few weeks a year in the deserts of California and Nevada, exploring backroads that require a winch to get in and out
• I have a Sonoran Steel 1.2A upgrade on its way next week!
• Running 265 tires right now, but I'll upsize later this year or early next, so I might like to re-gear

I want to put in a rear locker and I'm trying to decide between a manual and auto-locker. I don't want to compromise too much of my truck's snow/ice ability, but auto-locking is always kinda nice, and potentially cheaper than an ARB.

Right now I think my choices are:

lunchbox locker ~$275 parts + 4 hrs labor
Detroit locker (soft vs. normal?) $500 + lotsa labor
Detroit locker + re-gear: $700 + lotsa labor
ARB (how does re-gearing work?) $850+compressor+lotsa labor

Does that sound like the main options? Did I miss any? I've been trying to do the research, but there seems to be as many options as there are ways to get stuck in a swamp.

Thanks!

-Dodger

 

[Nelsonmd]

Why is it leaking? Could be you just need to tighten some bolts.

 

[Jon]

Find an E-locker rearend in a junk yard. I'd have one for you but just sold it to my buddy for $150 for his Taco

 

[LINY4Runner]

DEFINITELY go with a selectable rear locker. ESPECIALLY if you do much snow driving. You'll want to be able to turn it off to stop the truck from sliding out on every turn...

I'd say e-locker, but after doing it myself, it's a pain in the :moon:. Not sure what was harder- the install or just finding one for sale...
ARB would be my choice if I were to do it again...you can still re-gear, the ARB only replaces the carrier, the ring and pinion are still the same.

 

[brian2sun]

DEFINITELY go with a selectable rear locker. ESPECIALLY if you do much snow driving. You'll want to be able to turn it off to stop the truck from sliding out on every turn...

I'd say e-locker, but after doing it myself, it's a pain in the :moon:. Not sure what was harder- the install or just finding one for sale...
ARB would be my choice if I were to do it again...you can still re-gear, the ARB only replaces the carrier, the ring and pinion are still the same.

I agree, get a selectable if you drive a lot in the snow. It's well worth the $$ IMO.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Aw come on guys, how can you let a guy with a first post like that get away with that?

I thought you were better than that...

Seriously dodger, why is it leaking? It may be a simple cheap fix, so the questions really becomes 2 questions, "how do I fix my leaky diff?" and "I want to upgrade to a locker, which should I get?". If it really is a $0-20 fix, then the leaking shouldn't come into play on the decision to get a locker. Unless of course you want to lie to yourself to convince yourself to blow the cash on a locker... in that case ignore my posts.

 

[brian2sun]

Aw come on guys, how can you let a guy with a first post like that get away with that?

I thought you were better than that...

Seriously dodger, why is it leaking? It may be a simple cheap fix, so the questions really becomes 2 questions, "how do I fix my leaky diff?" and "I want to upgrade to a locker, which should I get?". If it really is a $0-20 fix, then the leaking shouldn't come into play on the decision to get a locker. Unless of course you want to lie to yourself to convince yourself to blow the cash on a locker... in that case ignore my posts.

Haha, it sounded to me like he cared less about the leak and just wanted an excuse to get a rear locker. I am a firm believer in the "whatever you gotta tell yourself mentality".