Rear Diff Lock option?

[brian2sun]

So basically it reads to me that they use the ABS system to perform a rear diff lock function.

Just not as good.

 

[rrdiflocker]

rr diff lock vs. center diff lock

Hi Folks, Don’t hate the newbie for asking a question possibly addressed, I did search all I could find on the rr differential locker. My 98 limited has the rr diff lock, I kayak a lot live at the jersey shore, drive right to the water’s edge and that diff lock has saved my butt a few times. I have 275k its time to look for a new truck. And the questions, was the diff lock only available up to 2000 ? is the post 2000 center locker as good, wouldn’t have to be some kind of limited slip diff to give traction to the non-slipping wheel? Was there anything before the 2009 te that had a better system than the rr diff lock? I am kind partial to the 3rd gen. Thanks Mitch

 

[Supermoney]

Hi Folks, Don’t hate the newbie for asking a question possibly addressed, I did search all I could find on the rr differential locker. My 98 limited has the rr diff lock, I kayak a lot live at the jersey shore, drive right to the water’s edge and that diff lock has saved my butt a few times. I have 275k its time to look for a new truck. And the questions, was the diff lock only available up to 2000 ? is the post 2000 center locker as good, wouldn’t have to be some kind of limited slip diff to give traction to the non-slipping wheel? Was there anything before the 2009 te that had a better system than the rr diff lock? I am kind partial to the 3rd gen. Thanks Mitch

3rd gen rear locker stopped at 2000.

Next one for 4Runners came on the 2009 trail.

The center diff lock just makes the driveshafts lock together like real 4WD so you have 1 tire in the front, and 1 tire in the rear always spinning.

The rear e-locker is superior because it locks the rear tires together and they have to spin no matter what. That is a huge advantage and can really help you get out of a bad situation. BTW this thread is from 2009, maybe make a new one!

 

[turbo8]

Hi Folks, Don’t hate the newbie for asking a question possibly addressed, I did search all I could find on the rr differential locker. My 98 limited has the rr diff lock, I kayak a lot live at the jersey shore, drive right to the water’s edge and that diff lock has saved my butt a few times. I have 275k its time to look for a new truck. And the questions, was the diff lock only available up to 2000 ? is the post 2000 center locker as good, wouldn’t have to be some kind of limited slip diff to give traction to the non-slipping wheel? Was there anything before the 2009 te that had a better system than the rr diff lock? I am kind partial to the 3rd gen. Thanks Mitch

Center lock is for the multimode transmission vehicles, they were 2wd, Awd and 4wd. I don't think they had the option for the e-locking rear diff, they relied on the a-trac traction control system.

 

[98RunnerBoy18]

I have a 98' Sr5 Limited (3rd gen) and it does indeed come with a Rear Differential Locker button. Right next to the steering wheel on the left hand side

 

[zcruiser]

I have a 98' Sr5 Limited (3rd gen) and it does indeed come with a Rear Differential Locker button. Right next to the steering wheel on the left hand side

Somewhat of a necro-thread, but I did learn by rereading earlier posts that the rear diff lock apparently only works in 4-Lo. I thought my rear diff lock was frozen but had never tried it in 4-Lo. Gonna try it tomorrow!

Btw, you have either a SR5 or a Limited, which is it? I'm guessing SR5.

 

[Dolson]

How

I have a 98 sr5 4x4 and I don't have the rear lock button on the left of the dash but I can see the REAR DIFF LOCK indicator light on my cluster. Does that mean I do have the option just need the button? or all clusters came with it regardless is the option was there?

 

[legokcen]

I have a 98 sr5 4x4 and I don't have the rear lock button on the left of the dash but I can see the REAR DIFF LOCK indicator light on my cluster. Does that mean I do have the option just need the button? or all clusters came with it regardless is the option was there?

My 2WD Limited has the light on the cluster also. They came that way. I doubt yours has it, but you can check the diff and if there is an electric actuator on it, looking similar to this:

 

[zcruiser]

...you can check the diff and if there is an electric actuator on it, looking similar to this:

I've got the button to the left of the steering wheel and this actuator on the rear diff, but apparently it's frozen. I tried engaging it while in 4-Lo and it wouldn't go.

 

[tonytoshiba]

A LOT of people don't use their 4runners off road or even on dirt. I think Toyota is smart for offering it as an option.

Quite true and too bad, the most off-road a lot of 4runners see is the front lawn. When I have gone to the dealer they notice my custom pin stripes and wear marks on my skid plates. They smile real big and say, "Finally somebody who goes off road".
My Trail 30% off road 70% on, or there abouts. Living in the mountains and 30 miles from the desert keeps my transfer cases in action.

 

[snydmax]

I've got the button to the left of the steering wheel and this actuator on the rear diff, but apparently it's frozen. I tried engaging it while in 4-Lo and it wouldn't go.

you've gotta be in 4-lo and going less than 5mph... push button, "DIFF LOCK" in cluster will flash then go solid indicating engagement... and you'll feel the difference.

That said, in my 98 limited, if you hit the button and those conditions aren't met, the light in the cluster flashes but never goes solid... if you never see the flashing light, then you may indeed have an issue.

 

[binqker]

A LOT of people don't use their 4runners off road or even on dirt. I think Toyota is smart for offering it as an option.

say wahhhhh? :fro:

 

[VincentGsrq]

Necro-thread indeed. But it seems to be the only active thread dealing with "adding" an e-locker. Both of my 2wd TRD quad cab Tacomas had e'lockers and here in Florida it is a very helpful/useful feature, most especially if you trailer boats of any kind. Boat ramps at mean to low tide are the epitome of slippery slope and the e-locker makes a huge difference. There is a used parts dealer in Jax that always seems to have a couple of "kits" for sale pulled from wrecks, mostly 4.10 diffs and he includes the harness, brain box and dash switch. They sell for just under $800 for the parts. At some point I will add this to my todo list and it will likely be the most expensive mod I do to my truck after replacing all of the control joints and a doing a lift, which I will start a bit at a time. For me it is an important mod, I tow often and here in FL an e-locker is like having 4wd. I ordered both of my Tacos with the TRD and class 3 tow package and it was NOT an inexpensive option to add but the e-locker was only a part of the package.

 

[Thebeastlives]

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?

I've been snowboarding for over 20 years and most of my 4wd didn't have lockers. I've been through countless huge storms in Mammoth or Lake Tahoe. When trying to reach our cabin or the slopes the snow can very deep up serious mtn terrain. The key to traveling in snow is the type of tire used and air pressure. When the snow is deep and fresh airing down goes a long ways and lockers even on my Tundra and 5th gen 4 runner had never been used in the snow and I never have had traction issues in the snow. I have MT TOYO tires which are fabulous in the snow but not so great on ice or hard packed snow on the road.

 

[VincentGsrq]

I may not have been clear in my post, for me the e-locker is for those of us who do not need 4wd or it's expense but still need real traction performance at times. It makes a huge difference over 2wd limited slip, huge.

 

[T4R2014]

I may not have been clear in my post, for me the e-locker is for those of us who do not need 4wd or it's expense but still need real traction performance at times. It makes a huge difference over 2wd limited slip, huge.

Isn't that why part-time 4x4 was invented?

 

[UnderFire]

Personally with how high the prices have gotten on elockers I would much rather have an open diff completely serviced and add a mechanical locker. Has the benefits of being all brand new instead of most likely 200k+ miles, automatically engages when needed, no hunting for parts needed, and less moving parts.

I do see the benefits of the elockers, and back when they could be had for more like $400 with decently low mileage the swap made a lot of sense, but it's evening out quite a bit.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

 

[VincentGsrq]

Personally with how high the prices have gotten on elockers I would much rather have an open diff completely serviced and add a mechanical locker. Has the benefits of being all brand new instead of most likely 200k+ miles, automatically engages when needed, no hunting for parts needed, and less moving parts.

I do see the benefits of the elockers, and back when they could be had for more like $400 with decently low mileage the swap made a lot of sense, but it's evening out quite a bit.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

Thank you, I do agree that the price of an auto-locker like a Detroit or an Aussie is appealing but my vehicle usage would lend itself better to an air-locker or an e-locker, and both are quite pricey, the ARB is over $1k for just the parts. My experiences with the toyota e-lockers on my 2 Tacos were without fault and I may luck into some decently priced parts.

 

[VernySanders]

Thank you, I do agree that the price of an auto-locker like a Detroit or an Aussie is appealing but my vehicle usage would lend itself better to an air-locker or an e-locker, and both are quite pricey, the ARB is over $1k for just the parts. My experiences with the toyota e-lockers on my 2 Tacos were without fault and I may luck into some decently priced parts.

People try to tell me all the time that Detroit True Tracs are lockers and theyre not. Theyre glorified limited slips. There are actually many more working parts to an ARB air locker as you have the possibility of leaking from air lines, and you have the components inside the locker itself, IE springs not to mention an actual air compressor. OEM E-locker (electric locker not eaton locker) that came on our trucks has a simple clutch fork and its the longest lasting, most reliable option to go with, thats why as they get more rare, the price goes up. Its also why ive got a few literally laying in my garage. your best bet is to go to a massive junkyard out there and find a limited 4runner and pull your own rear end. Also, to do an elocker swap, you will need to pull the housing, unless you want to modify your existing housing yourself which I do not suggest. You can run your own wires on a standalone harness, you will not need an OEM harness. This is a simple power setup and if you wire on a standalone harness, you can engage the locker whenever you want which you would need to do anyways cause your truck isnt 4x4. The locker is designed to engage in 4lo but if you install it yourself you can engage it with only 2wd no issues.

This is not to say that ARB is a bad brand because they absolutely are not and its also not to say you would have any issues with an ARB because 99% of people dont. However, when you do you do and usually when your locker isnt working you only find out when youre stuck! lolol

NOTE: IF YOU BUY AN OEM LOCKING DIFF USED, MAKE SURE IT HAS THE ACTUATOR ON IT AND COMES WITH IT. Actuators are going for 400 bucks now a days lol. As for the components inside the diff being old, if you have a concern with that ive got a thread with all the part numbers for bearings, buy a new gearset for a 200 bucks and all new bearings ( about another 200 ) take your diff to a shop and have someone install the new goodies. If youre good at watching youtube videos you can set your own diff up yourself easily. just need a press at home

EDIT: I've never paid more than 75 bucks for an elocker from the junkyard lol

 

[mesooohoppy]

Necro-thread indeed. But it seems to be the only active thread dealing with "adding" an e-locker. Both of my 2wd TRD quad cab Tacomas had e'lockers and here in Florida it is a very helpful/useful feature, most especially if you trailer boats of any kind. Boat ramps at mean to low tide are the epitome of slippery slope and the e-locker makes a huge difference. There is a used parts dealer in Jax that always seems to have a couple of "kits" for sale pulled from wrecks, mostly 4.10 diffs and he includes the harness, brain box and dash switch. They sell for just under $800 for the parts. At some point I will add this to my todo list and it will likely be the most expensive mod I do to my truck after replacing all of the control joints and a doing a lift, which I will start a bit at a time. For me it is an important mod, I tow often and here in FL an e-locker is like having 4wd. I ordered both of my Tacos with the TRD and class 3 tow package and it was NOT an inexpensive option to add but the e-locker was only a part of the package.

you will always pay more for a complete setup, even if its used, even if its high mileage, even if its just missing a part or two, etc. because someone took the time to compile all of the parts together. you see this A LOT with manual transmission swaps in cars that didnt have many manuals, or many are not left (IS300s and s13/s14s come to mind).

you will always be able to piece it together cheaper yourself, but the trade off is you have to be patient when collecting your parts.

according to vernie (the post above mine), it looks like locker actuators are going for 400-ish. if thats true, you may be better off just buying a kit from your local guy. theres a reason some of these parts are getting pricey.

edit: [MENTION=315995]VernySanders[/MENTION], im not sure where you are getting that 400 dollar number from, but they're on ebay for 150-250...?