Rear diff is leaking.... suggestions?

[99LimitedKS]

Hello,

The ol' 4runner is going into the shop Tuesday to get the leaking taken care of that seems to be diff fluid (and the check engine light came on today).

Although I am bummed out about all these problems arising at once, I am thinking about performing some sort of rear differential lock. I know my 4wd 4runner has some sort of E-locker function but what are you guy's suggestions on a permanate lock? What are the up side's and down side's? For those of you that have done this, what do you recommend?

Thanks.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

You may just have bad axle seals which is a common issue on 3rd gens as the miles pile up. I had the problem on both my '97 and my '99 and the seals went bad a little before 100k miles.

Why would you want a permanent lock? The e-locker is the rear diff lock at the push of a button and is engaged when in 4lo but there is a wire mod that allows the locker to be engaged at anytime even in 2wd.
I'll post a link to the mod tomorrow as the site it's on is down for the night.

 

[99LimitedKS]

Looking forward to the mod....

I thought it could only be engaged at 15MPH and lower or something like that.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I think it kicks off at anything over 5mph but I think it's a little higher.

Here's the write-up
http://www.hboss.net/4runner/locker_safety.htm

Also the fog light mod is nice and very easy on the '99s.

http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=75177

And finally full time power outlets which you have 4 total on your '99

http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=75183

 

[99LimitedKS]

I think it kicks off at anything over 5mph but I think it's a little higher.

Thanks for the write up. I will probably do this mod.

I think what happens is you have to turn it on when you are below 5mph and in 4lo. then, you can drive at any speed with the lock on (correct me if I am wrong).

The mod I am going to do is so that you can turn it on in 2wd. I could really care less about the mod allowing you to turn it on at any speed cause that would be a danger (as I would see it).

What would be the downside of leaving the diff locked at all times? Lower gas mileage?

Thanks.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Actually the mod allows you to turn it on no matter what drive configuration (4lo,4hi or 2wd) it's in and it also defeats the speed limiter at the same time which I mean it doesn't auto turn off after 10mph or so. You should never engage it while moving period after you do the mod.

You don't want to drive with it on all the time or on pavement period as you will destroy the rearend.
With the rear locked it means the wheels don't move independantly of each other and will not "slip" when you make turns and it'll really kill MPGs along with your gearing.

The diff lock is for off road only and it is a big deal to have and a good selling point for 3rd gen Runners. After '00 the diff lock was discontinued except in Tacomas and now it's resurfaced in the new FJs which bugs 4th gen Runner owners since it's not available as an option as the FJ and the newer 4Runners share the same platform.