need advice on getting front/rear gear ratios to match

[markandles]

So here's the situation - I have a 99 4runner with 4.10's.

I just purchased a rear elocker in 4.30. I also got a bare elocker housing to use.

I need to install the elocker, but also need to match the front/rear ratios.

I think my options are:
install new rear as is and regear the front.
I can swap my current rear gears into new locker and install in new housing.
Buy new gears for elocker third and then install.

I think #2 is my best bet, but maybe number three.

I plan on taking the third members out and having someone do the gear work. Which leads to another question, what can I expect to pay in labor (and install kit if necessary) for this?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Rimcrew]

I bought the front diff from the same truck, when I picked up my rear e-locker. It was cheap, and I know the gears match.

If that is an option it might be your best bet, price wise.

 

[4-Ripcord]

get a 4.30 front diff. it is the easiest solution and the 4.30 is a little better gear ratio than 4.10 anyway.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Be sure to manually check your gear ratio. Don't count on the VIN correlation method being accurate. I've seen quite a few posts where folks found out their gear ratio was different than they expected.

Are you building this rig for rock crawling? Personally I don't think a factory locker is worth the trouble of all this. Paying someone? I think to swap Everything you will pay a lot.

And for what? Are you really going to be that hardcore? I've been wheeling in my exact same 4Runner going on 15 years now and I've probably used the locker < 10 times. I've been plenty of places, all posted here.

Not trying to be discouraging but if right now both your gears and axles work great with no issues then personally I'd just keep it as is. No the most popular opinion I'm sure.

 

[markandles]

Yeah, ratios have been checked.

Hardcore? No, never have been. Growing up we used 4wd to get out of places, never to get to. We were too poor to risk tearing something up. And where I go, it's not rockcrawling, it's mainly muddy. Again, I don't go mudding, but where I hunt, in the winter it stays wet. And an open diff will get you stuck quick.

We had a locker in our FJ and it was very handy in muddy river bottoms with deep ruts in the "road". It's gone and I'm now considering adding a locker to my 4Runner

Trust me, I've gone back and forth on this. And am still not 100%. Who knows, I might have a locker for sale in a few weeks.

From what I've read, removing the front diff is a bear. I really only need the gears set up in the locker 3rd member. I can do everything else. I might, repeat, might be able to install the gears, but I know my limitations and don't trust myself.

Be sure to manually check your gear ratio. Don't count on the VIN correlation method being accurate. I've seen quite a few posts where folks found out their gear ratio was different than they expected.

Are you building this rig for rock crawling? Personally I don't think a factory locker is worth the trouble of all this. Paying someone? I think to swap Everything you will pay a lot.

And for what? Are you really going to be that hardcore? I've been wheeling in my exact same 4Runner going on 15 years now and I've probably used the locker < 10 times. I've been plenty of places, all posted here.

Not trying to be discouraging but if right now both your gears and axles work great with no issues then personally I'd just keep it as is. No the most popular opinion I'm sure.

 

[Scramble]

Yeah, ratios have been checked.

Hardcore? No, never have been. Growing up we used 4wd to get out of places, never to get to. We were too poor to risk tearing something up. And where I go, it's not rockcrawling, it's mainly muddy. Again, I don't go mudding, but where I hunt, in the winter it stays wet. And an open diff will get you stuck quick.

We had a locker in our FJ and it was very handy in muddy river bottoms with deep ruts in the "road". It's gone and I'm now considering adding a locker to my 4Runner

Trust me, I've gone back and forth on this. And am still not 100%. Who knows, I might have a locker for sale in a few weeks.

From what I've read, removing the front diff is a bear. I really only need the gears set up in the locker 3rd member. I can do everything else. I might, repeat, might be able to install the gears, but I know my limitations and don't trust myself.

Switch the front to 4.30. I'm in the middle of this process & got an estimate of $100 to have my 4.56's swapped into my 4.30 e-locker carrier. I didn't want to spend the coin to buy the tools to set up the gears considering I have no clue what I'm doing. Plus they're putting in new bearings & seals so it will probably be a little more than $100.