Rear Diff Lock option?

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longhaul747

New member
Lately I have been intrigued by the rear diff lock option. Unfortunately my 4Runner does not have it :(

I searched the forum but I can't seem to find any real info on it. It does not seem like a common option. I sometimes passively look in other 3rd generation 4Runners out there but never seen that magical button. Never even spotted a manual equipped version before. Was this feature only optional on 5-Speed manual? If so any technical reason why it was not optional with the automatics?

Even though it seems like a cool feature to have I doubt I would use it much. However when you need its a godsend. Likely the only time I will use it is trying to get out of my parents very steep and long hill if I happen to get stuck there in the snow. Perhaps a few random hills out there as well. A few times with more then 12" of snow even 4WD's can't make it up. My mom's CR-V makes it up about a 1/4 of the way. My Brother n Laws Jeep Cherokee will make it up about 3/4's of the way but eventually will get stuck and will only spin the front left and right rear tire. The 4Runner is more beefy then both those rigs so perhaps it would make it when others can't but if not a rear diff lock might help in this situation.

I am pretty sure if I really wanted it I can install an aftermarket rear diff lock. I am pretty sure ARB makes one and we have a 4WD shop just a few miles away that does work like this. Not sure on cost though. I imagine its a $1500 option with the high rent in this area. A little beyond what I would want to pay. I doubt I will ever get it done but always be on my wish list. It would seem such a cool feature would be standard equipment. Was the OEM Diff Lock an expensive option?

Not a lot of info on aftermarket diff locks here either. Anyone have it done?
 
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I have a manual with diff lock and 4wd. I was only forced to use the diff lock once in thick mud... I'm sure it would be helpful in deep snow aswell, but I don't have the tires to try that yet.
 
yes an E-locked rig is VERY nice, theres a few out there, even less of the manuals with the e-locker.
Yes ARB makes a locker, not sure what the total cost would be, then installation would be another cost.
My 99 had the e-locker, my 04 has the center diff lock, I may do a ARB locker this summer, either way, the rear locker is real nice.
 
If I really want to be creative go ahead and install locker in the front diff as well. Just need to be sure that you absolutely only use it when you are truly stuck as any binding is bad on the front end components.

I am not sure on cost either. I have seen ARB locker kits from $500 to about $1200 online. I am guessing the version for the 4Runner would be someplace in between. Labor is likely the part that will bite the most. I would think an experienced mechanic who knows what he is doing could do it in 3 or 4 hours. At $80 per hour that would work out to about $320 is labor. Except a lot of shops charge you a minimum regardless of how long it takes so it might be upwards of $500 for the install.

I never done anything like this but I do work on motorcycles a lot. If I had a lift and tools plus a shop manual and perhaps someone who has done it before to give a hand I could probably do it myself. However I don't have access to these items and don't really have the time. So a shop would have to do it.

Is the locker option limited to 5-Speed manual transmission versions of the 4Runner? If so any technical reason for this? Any risk in installing an after market locker on an automatic?
 
Im pretty sure my 4runner has it. Its 2002 limited. Is the Diff lock button on the left side of the steering wheel and it has a picture with an X through the drive shaft? Is that it?

What does it do?

How does it help?

I've never used it, When should it be used?

Sorry im always full of questions.
 
Yes, you could get the diff lock on automatic equipped 4Runners, in fact many Limiteds came with them and they were all autos.

For the poster who has the 02, no you do not have a rear diff lock, the rear diff lock option was discontinued for the 01 model year, only 96-00 could have it factory. What you have to the left of your wheel is a center diff lock, that turns your truck from full time 4wd center diff unlocked 4wd button pressed, to traditional part time when you lock it. A rear diff lock is on your rear diff and it evenly splits the power to both wheels 50/50 when in use, it is mainly an off road feature. Without the locker your 4Runner has open differentials. If you don't understand what I mean I strongly suggest visiting How Stuff Works, they have a very good explanation if you don't know much about the systems to begin with. There are even pictures and animations to show how it all functions.

For the last, when do I use the center diff, if you are in a bit of snow and want extra traction 4WD center unlocked is fine, same with rain or a gravel road perhaps. With the center unlocked you will never bind your drive train on dry pavement. If you get into deep snow or are doing real off roading then you can lock the diff, but if you are going to hit dry pavement you need to unlock it to avoid binding your drivetrain around corners. Locking the center disables VSC, so if you need to rev the engine to spin your tires and VSC keeps shutting it down, then also lock the center diff.
 
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Cool that you can have it with the automatic. One website out there that archives Toyota 4Runner history indicated that the rear locker is only an option on the 5-Speed versions.

Found a few threads over at Yotatech about the process. Most seem to find a locking rear axle with the proper gear ratios in a junk yard and doing a complete swap. Sounds like a pretty big PITA unless you have a lot free time and know how.

Not a lot of info going ARB. From what I gather its possible but pretty costly so most don't bother with it.

Interestingly found an options list for a 98 Toyota 4Runner. I don't know how accurate it is but the rear locker is only a $325 option. On a rig that cost 30K or more new I would think this option would be far more common and on 95% of the 4Runners but it seems 95% of them don't have it. You do need to have Aluminum wheels and the P265 tires. Many do but don't have the locker option....ODD!!

My guess and its only a guess is dealers did not order them this way likely to keep the cost down a bit and perhaps figured most customers would not need it or know what it is. In fact most dealer people who do ordering don't know what it is either so they don't check it off on the order sheet. I am not sure how it works for Toyota but you see this all the time with the domestic makes. A rear limited slip differential (pretty much a no brainer option for a truck) is not ordered and it might only be a $50 option.

http://www.automotive.com/1998/12/toyota/4runner/packages/index.html

I got everything on that list on my 4Runner but that bloody rear diff lock..LOL
 
My old 98 Limited had one. I found that the Limited models had them more often compared to the SR5 models. And you're right that it was a cheap upgrade, but 99.9% of the people buying 4Runners then would've never used it, much less known what it did exactly.

I'm surprised that you had a hard time locating a 4Runner with a rear locker, as most of them I see do have it.

Anyway, my opinion about factory e-locker vs. ARB. If your rig is going to be an all out rock crawler, go ARB, no doubt. With the front locker, you have no choice but ARB anyway, and so that means you have to get an air compressor anyway. ARB works great and it's stronger. That said, if this will be a part time daily driver, part time expedition rig, I'd look for a rear locker and call it good. A locked rear rig is VERY capable and is more than adequate for an average joe wheeler.

As far as your driveway situation, it's your tires. Get yourself some dedicated snow tires or get a Severe Winter rated tire like the BFG KO or General Grabber ATII's and you will be good. A locked rear could help, but with a foot of snow, if your tires are good and you're in 4WD, you should be okay. A locker definitely helps, though. And it's better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.

Here is an article for a retrofit:

http://www.4runners.org/writeups/elocker/
 
well i know my 01 4runner doesnt have a rear diff lock and its 2wd :( . but i was wondering if anyone had any insight on brands i only found a few. But powertrak seem to be the only one that would fit.
 
JGstarted22 said:
well i know my 01 4runner doesnt have a rear diff lock and its 2wd :( . but i was wondering if anyone had any insight on brands i only found a few. But powertrak seem to be the only one that would fit.
Click to expand...

For a rear locker? The only selectable lockers are the OEM e-locker and ARB. All of the other ones are "on" all the time, which I wouldn't advise on getting.

Just do an OEM e-locker install. It's in the post right above yours.
 
On Friday I was in the area so for giggles I stopped by a 4WD shop to get an estimate for a rear and possibly front ARB lockers plus the air compressor needed. Out the door it was $2200 for the rear and $2800 for the front. This was for all parts plus labor....OUCH!!!

He said the rear is really nice and can help in many situations. He warned me about using the front only when stuck and my front wheels are straight. It will handle strangely and its been known to strain front end components but its a no issue if you use cautiously. Probably really don't need it but its not a lot more to add it since they are already under there. I decided to wait it out for a while (possibly forever) since its so expensive. Might try a few other shops as well.

Been doing a bit more sneaky peaky in some other 3rd gen 4Runner's. Seen a few without it but in the 6 early model 4Runner's I looked in the past week every 4Runner that had 265 tires also had a factory rear diff lock. I assume this option might be more common on 4Runner's that come from the factory with the optional 265 tire size. This is purely unscientific and only based on brief observation but it makes sense. Of coarse its unknown how many of these vehicles came originally equipped with 265 tires.

I have no idea how Toyota thinks but considering the off road rugged nature built into every 4Runner it would seem logical the rear diff lock would be standard equipment on every 4WD model 4Runner made. At the very least in the V6 equipped versions with the optional 265 tires. I can see some 4wd base models with the 4 cylinder engine not having it to keep the cost as low as possible but for the SR5 and above it should have been standard. As it is it seems rather random. Some do and some don't regardless of options (except Limited trim). Oh well Toyota obviously did not so no sense in loosing any sleep over it.
 
I got a 2nd bid at a different 4WD shop yesterday. The worker behind the desk seemed knowledgeable to a degree. His bid for the rear ARB Locker was $1,700. Much cheaper then the first shop I visited.

However I hit a snag when inquiring about the front locker. At first he said ARB does not make one for the front. When I said I am pretty sure they do and a lot of Tacoma and 4Runner people get them installed he then tried to talk me out of getting one for the front. He claimed that on everyone he has put in the owners come back with broken CV shafts. Even when used very cautiously. I said most don't seem to have a problem with it as long as you only use them when really stuck and don't go gunning it. He then said if you are stuck in 4WD with a rear locker engaged then you are really stuck and a front locker might not help either. I said yeah maybe but its mostly a want item and I might not ever even need/use it but if I am going to get ARB rear then I might as well put one in front as well. He said OK but he will have to research the proper ARB Lock. I did not know off the top of my head but its the RD90 locker for the front.

BTW, just to ad fuel to the fire he claimed mine was the first SR5 with the 265 tires and all weather package to "NOT" have a rear factory diff lock. It may not be a golden rule that they all have it but everyone that has come through his shop had it. Oh well the ARB locker is much better he says. Yeah but its $$$ I am thinking.

Another reputable 4WD shop down in Renton Washington that does pretty good work and works on a lot of Toyota's. The FJ Cruiser folks love em. Before I finalize my decision I might visit or call that shop. Its a definite want item but it seems crazy spending over 2.5K on a 7K Rig with 111K miles. Only time I would use them is in very thick snow when actually stuck (Rare and more Rare) and when I visit my parents cabin up in the mountains and my property in Cashmere. Most of the use would come at my parents cabin. We go up there about once a month during the winter to check on it and we get stuck in my brother n Laws Jeep Cherokee every time we get over 12" of snow up there. Usually Virgin snow since its a private dirt road. Especially on this one spot with a sharp turn then a short but very steep hill surrounded by tree's. No way to get any momentum. We never got totally stuck but often we have to hoof it the last mile to the cabin. In 12++ inches of snow it kind of sucks because often we have to carry stuff.

Before I do anything I will be taking the 4Runner up there this weekend to see how well I do. I am not even sure how much snow we got up there at the moment. If its over 12" of snow and I make it just fine then I will forget the diff lock idea. At least for now but its still a want item.

Other cheaper options is proper snow tires and/or tire chains. However I am a lazy bas**** and it does not snow enough here down in the low lands to run dedicated snow tires during the winter.
 
Chances are, you will never use that front locker. I know plenty of people that have snapped their front axles, too. Virtually every one that has a front locker installed has snapped an axle or two. For the "off-road" situations that you
 
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p nut said:
Chances are, you will never use that front locker. I know plenty of people that have snapped their front axles, too. Virtually every one that has a front locker installed has snapped an axle or two. For the "off-road" situations that you
Click to expand...
 
Yeah I think it comes down to, Do you really think you need it? I had it in my 98 Taco and it was cool to say I had it, but I really never got stuck anyway. I am primarily a beach driver (when off road) and have been in some very thick sand. I've hit the button before when struggling and didn't noticed it doing any better. The one time I did get stuck I tried it and it didn't help, but really no one could have gotten out by themselves. on that one.
 
rear axle swap

hey whats going on? I was wondering if anyone knew if instead of getting a rear locking diff could i just swap axles with a different gen and if i would need to do any fabs or anything to do so


Thanks
 
I have the rear e-locker on an auto transmission and I absolutely love it, but I use my T4R for the trails, and as of last weekend, not much else.

When on tough spots, I just hit the locker and the rig just climbs right on up! I swear it feels like magic!! (gay sounding, but true)

I can't imagine anytime I would use it other than on the trails. Maybe a big hill in deep snow, with no turns. (as you described, but a lot of work just for a driveway)

The Denver Craigslist has a guy parting out a rolled 96 (3rd gen) with a rear e-locker. Swap the whole axle, that would probably be cheaper. I think the ARB locker requires an onboard air compressor, extra cost/labor, but also extra function (air up tires after an air down)
 
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