NYC-Runner Build Thread

[Nyc-Runner]

Hey Man nice project on the trailer I have been contemplating making on myself.
Do you think that snorkel would fit the V8 I like it. maybe a a little shorter.

Thanks , you should grab one up! I think their perfect little trailers for our rigs, nice and small, not to heavy and you can really customize them and build them up to suit your needs. Plus i've seen them getting pulled down some serious trails so they can go just about anywhere!

Yeah i'm pretty sure it will. [MENTION=112248]cpark_12[/MENTION] has a V8 and installed it on his no problem.

 

[cpark_12]

Hey Man nice project on the trailer I have been contemplating making on myself.
Do you think that snorkel would fit the V8 I like it. maybe a a little shorter.

Yea, it lines up almost perfectly!

 

[bisonrunner]

Great I'm going for it. Thanks

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Pretty stoked! I just found out that my buddy with a 08 FJ is upgrading his rear from the 8" diff to the 8.2" along with re gearing etc. Which means his original FJ 8" axle housing is up for grabs so I'm going to take it and swap it out with mine rather than retro fitting my rear like I was originally planning on doing to run the FJ elocker. This will definitely make it a little easier to do the install now with having to grind and drill and tap new holes to my existing axle housing. Timing is everything I guess! Here a picture of his new Axle housing, just wanted to post a pic of something since I don't have mine yet haha.

Also while I'm doing this I'm going to do all new seals, gaskets of course and possibly brakes if I need them? Didn't realize what I was getting myself into with this lol now I'm pretty much re building the entire front and rear of my truck! Excited though because this has been something that I've been wanting to do for some time now.

 

[having fun]

So are you still going to us a FJ third or can you use/ modifying your runners. I haven't researched enough to know on the runner third, just hear the FJ's are supposedly weak.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

So are you still going to us a FJ third or can you use/ modifying your runners. I haven't researched enough to know on the runner third, just hear the FJ's are supposedly weak.

Yes i already have the FJ elocker 3rd member re built with 4.56's. I was originally going to have retro fit/modify my housing to fit the FJ 3rd member which involved notching it out with with a grinder and drilling and tapping two new holes for longer studs. It's a little bit of work but now i can just use my buddy's complete axle housing and just swap everything!

I heard some issues but i wasn't really sure what that was about? I thought their identical to our 4runners which is how i'm able to just swap the whole housing,3rd member etc. I've seen many friends that i wheel with put their FJ's thru some serious shit so i don't know how they could be any weaker than our 4runners? I saw in another post recently and [MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] said the same thing about them being week so now i'm curious to know? Cause if that's the case then i will just retro fit my rear like i originally planned...

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I heard the '07 in particular were "weak" and they had a tendency to grenade under heavy use. I'm not entirely sure what the reasoning behind it was. I don't know too much about the quirks of FJs, my buddy knows more as he did a bit more research before he got his '07. I just vaguely recall hearing that in the past as well, something about the ring gear or pinion. Nothing a new ring set couldn't fix.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

I heard the '07 in particular were "weak" and they had a tendency to grenade under heavy use. I'm not entirely sure what the reasoning behind it was. I don't know too much about the quirks of FJs, my buddy knows more as he did a bit more research before he got his '07. I just vaguely recall hearing that in the past as well, something about the ring gear or pinion. Nothing a new ring set couldn't fix.

Thanks for the quick reply i went into panic hypochondriac mode and started just did some quick research and came across some of the same things that you mentioned. Basically a lot of people were having issues with either the pinion bearings going bad or they would grenade under certain situations. Hopefully i won't run into this issues? Kind of worried now.hwell: I had ECGS completely re build it with 4.56's and brand new Pinion bearings and a solid pinion spacer. Oh well no turning back now ray2: But it's weird because we have the same 8" diff but haven't had any of these issues, maybe because of the elockers?. Back to the researching...

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Thanks for the quick reply i went into panic hypochondriac mode and started just did some quick research and came across some of the same things that you mentioned. Basically a lot of people were having issues with either the pinion bearings going bad or they would grenade under certain situations. Hopefully i won't run into this issues? Kind of worried now.hwell: I had ECGS completely re build it with 4.56's and brand new Pinion bearings and a solid pinion spacer. Oh well no turning back now ray2: But it's weird because we have the same 8" diff but haven't had any of these issues, naybe because of the elockers?. Back to the researching...

Like I said, everything I heard implied that the ring or the pinion gears were the weak link grenading and that simply getting some good aftermarket ones were the "fix". So if you had the unit rebuilt with new ring and pinion I wouldn't worry at all. I think it had something to do with the 3.90 gears that went in the '07s with lockers, but I could be wrong?

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Like I said, everything I heard implied that the ring or the pinion gears were the weak link grenading and that simply getting some good aftermarket ones were the "fix". So if you had the unit rebuilt with new ring and pinion I wouldn't worry at all. I think it had something to do with the 3.90 gears that went in the '07s with lockers, but I could be wrong?

Ok i feel a little better now! I guess time will tell. Ah yes the 3.90 gears,for some reason i kept thinking it was the same ratio as ours but yeah your right about that. Ok thanks again for the feed back!:yo:

 

[superman3043]

Nice find on the axle housing man! That will save a ton of headache for sure!

Don't worry about the "weak" rear end thing. Your new 3rd should be pretty bomb proof. The reason, you've heard about these "weak rear ends" is the same reason that you and I ended up with FJC 3rd members to begin with. It all starts with that crush sleeve pinion spacer. Basically over time and probably under some specific load conditions, the crush sleeve will over-crush which leads to play in the pinion. This starts out as gear whining or whirring or whatever. Over time it leads to too much pinion deflection, which causes poor gear teeth mesh, which can lead to "grenading".

The solid spacer should solve that issue. I rebuilt mine with factory gears, just a solid pinion spacer and I'm not worried about it. The problem definitely exists in 4Runners too. You just don't hear about them as often as the FJC. But the components are identical.

Hope that sets your mind at ease broski.

 

[having fun]

Sorry I got you all worked up before bed there buddy. Like I said, haven't researched the subject to far yet, just lightly and got to about where Blackworks pointed out.

Buddy of mine has the FJ also and was ohh and ahhing at it and noticed it looked identical for bolt in. He parks it closer to his house now that I'm eyeballing it.

 

[t-man]

I grenaded my rear when I put the 35's on. Crush sleeve gave me to much deflection and it gave out. Solid spacer is what you need in these as superman said. It'll be fine after the rebuild you did.

 

[tom5191]

How does the elocker with the solid spacer compare to an air locker? Do you have to do some serious wheeling before needing to switch to the air locker? I've been looking at going to locker route next year most likely. I'm still on the fence about elocker or air locker.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Nice find on the axle housing man! That will save a ton of headache for sure!

Don't worry about the "weak" rear end thing. Your new 3rd should be pretty bomb proof. The reason, you've heard about these "weak rear ends" is the same reason that you and I ended up with FJC 3rd members to begin with. It all starts with that crush sleeve pinion spacer. Basically over time and probably under some specific load conditions, the crush sleeve will over-crush which leads to play in the pinion. This starts out as gear whining or whirring or whatever. Over time it leads to too much pinion deflection, which causes poor gear teeth mesh, which can lead to "grenading".

The solid spacer should solve that issue. I rebuilt mine with factory gears, just a solid pinion spacer and I'm not worried about it. The problem definitely exists in 4Runners too. You just don't hear about them as often as the FJC. But the components are identical.

Hope that sets your mind at ease broski.

Yeah i'm pretty stoked about it! Now i can drop mine out swap everything over to the new housing and put the new 3rd in and pop it back up in there! Easier said than done and it's still a lot of work but at least i'm not going to have dik around with the retro fitting process:thumb:

I'm not worried as much anymore, after doing reading a ton of stuff on the FJC forum and then speaking to my buddy who i'm getting the housing from who knows just about everything there is to know about Yota's! He pretty much explained to how you did. I just got a little freaked out at first because i was under the impression that it was all identical to ours, which it is aside from the gears. But i had ECGS completely re build it with new gear,bearing and a solid pinion spacer.

Anyways thanks for the input and feedback bro! I'm hoping to do the swaps maybe mid march or early April? I'm just waiting for him to get all his stuff for his 8.2 swap then were doing mine:lock1:

Sorry I got you all worked up before bed there buddy. Like I said, haven't researched the subject to far yet, just lightly and got to about where Blackworks pointed out.

Buddy of mine has the FJ also and was ohh and ahhing at it and noticed it looked identical for bolt in. He parks it closer to his house now that I'm eyeballing it.

Haha no worries at all i'm actually glad you did because now i know that much more about what's going on and have some peace in mind to what's going into my 4runner:thumb: Hehe nice well maybe you'll have a donor in your future also!

I grenaded my rear when I put the 35's on. Crush sleeve gave me to much deflection and it gave out. Solid spacer is what you need in these as superman said. It'll be fine after the rebuild you did.

Ah yeah i remember when you did that. So in theory my rear should be that much stronger now with the solid pinion spacer in there!

 

[t-man]

I've flogged mine pretty hard since getting that new 3rd member. I've even had a couple good burnouts since my trac control is off because of my exhaust leak and had zero issue's. Plus, ECGS guarentees them for 5 years as long as you don't go bigger than 35's. So I don't worry about it overly. lol

 

[having fun]

So all I have to do before going to bed is get someone all worked up, go to sleep, wake up, and all the research info i would have to do just appears the next morning.
I might have to do this more often.

 

[superman3043]

How does the elocker with the solid spacer compare to an air locker? Do you have to do some serious wheeling before needing to switch to the air locker? I've been looking at going to locker route next year most likely. I'm still on the fence about elocker or air locker.

You are going to want to go ahead and do a solid pinion spacer regardless of whether you use an air locker or e-locker.

Functionally, they both do the same thing which is negate the differential effectively spooling the axle. They just perform the function by different means of actuation (Air solenoid vs electric motor).

The argument could be made that the air lockers carrier design is more robust compared to the Toyota part.

So they function the same. You just need to weigh out pros and cons of either system. Air Lockers come with added cost and complexity. More things to go wrong. You need an air system to run them. You got more lines, solenoids, manifolds, compressors and all sorts of things that can fail you.

Bottom line, done right, either system is functional for our needs. NYC and I went the e-locker route mainly from a cost perspective. If money was no object, I'm pretty sure I'd have air lockers front and rear. And probably paid somebody else to build and install them lol.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

I've flogged mine pretty hard since getting that new 3rd member. I've even had a couple good burnouts since my trac control is off because of my exhaust leak and had zero issue's. Plus, ECGS guarentees them for 5 years as long as you don't go bigger than 35's. So I don't worry about it overly. lol

Good to know you've but it to the test and it still holding well! Yeah i forgot about the ECGS warranty, just a little more peace of mind! I definitely don't plan going any bigger than 35's so no worries there. At least not with the ifs..

So all I have to do before going to bed is get someone all worked up, go to sleep, wake up, and all the research info i would have to do just appears the next morning.
I might have to do this more often.

I think you may be on to something :decision:

You are going to want to go ahead and do a solid pinion spacer regardless of whether you use an air locker or e-locker.

Functionally, they both do the same thing which is negate the differential effectively spooling the axle. They just perform the function by different means of actuation (Air solenoid vs electric motor).

The argument could be made that the air lockers carrier design is more robust compared to the Toyota part.

So they function the same. You just need to weigh out pros and cons of either system. Air Lockers come with added cost and complexity. More things to go wrong. You need an air system to run them. You got more lines, solenoids, manifolds, compressors and all sorts of things that can fail you.

Bottom line, done right, either system is functional for our needs. NYC and I went the e-locker route mainly from a cost perspective. If money was no object, I'm pretty sure I'd have air lockers front and rear. And probably paid somebody else to build and install them lol.

Very well said sir!:yo:

Exactly if i had the money i would of done front and rear ARB's along with the full re gear,but like you said much more work to be done and possibility for more things to go wrong but that also can apply to any upgrade we do especially when we do what we do with our truck!

Price and convenience play a big factor since i'm always building my rig on somewhat of a budget. With this particular set up i will have about $1500-$2000 said and done but that is also with me doing all the work which is a huge expense if your having a shop do it! My buddy did a ARB in his rear and new gears and master rebuild kit etc and he probably has the same amount if not more of money just in materials then he had to pay a shop to do all the work so it probably cost him easily $3500-$4000 all said But then again were not wheeling Jeeps :hiding: So you gotta pay to play!

 

[tom5191]

You are going to want to go ahead and do a solid pinion spacer regardless of whether you use an air locker or e-locker.

Functionally, they both do the same thing which is negate the differential effectively spooling the axle. They just perform the function by different means of actuation (Air solenoid vs electric motor).

The argument could be made that the air lockers carrier design is more robust compared to the Toyota part.

So they function the same. You just need to weigh out pros and cons of either system. Air Lockers come with added cost and complexity. More things to go wrong. You need an air system to run them. You got more lines, solenoids, manifolds, compressors and all sorts of things that can fail you.

NYC, how are you going about your wiring and switch?

Bottom line, done right, either system is functional for our needs. NYC and I went the e-locker route mainly from a cost perspective. If money was no object, I'm pretty sure I'd have air lockers front and rear. And probably paid somebody else to build and install them lol.

Very well said sir!:yo:

Exactly if i had the money i would of done front and rear ARB's along with the full re gear,but like you said much more work to be done and possibility for more things to go wrong but that also can apply to any upgrade we do especially when we do what we do with our truck!

Price and convenience play a big factor since i'm always building my rig on somewhat of a budget. With this particular set up i will have about $1500-$2000 said and done but that is also with me doing all the work which is a huge expense if your having a shop do it! My buddy did a ARB in his rear and new gears and master rebuild kit etc and he probably has the same amount if not more of money just in materials then he had to pay a shop to do all the work so it probably cost him easily $3500-$4000 all said But then again were not wheeling Jeeps :hiding: So you gotta pay to play!

Ok cool. From the bit of searching I did, I was seeing people upgrade the elocker to the air locker after the elocker failed. Guessing that was more of a "while I'm in there" kinda of scenario.