octanejunkie
Elite Member
I put an AussieLocker in my 99
This should be good
opcorn:
This should be good
opcorn:
Rear Diff Lock option?
- Thread starter longhaul747
- Start date
VernySanders
New member
Is that for used ones? I'm pretty certain last time I checked the Aisin (OEM) brand new they still make them for about 400 bucks
spartacus
Senior Member
You'll be fine with a spartan locker loading boats at a ramp. you' ll get used to DD driving with it in no time.
VincentGsrq
New member
I just saw a window sticker from a 1998 T4R with an e-locker, it was listed as a $325 option in 98 
ClovisMan
New member
I put an AussieLocker in my 99
This should be good
Are you getting any click, bang, boom, pops? I have a lunchbox locker in the rear of my Suburban and if you gas it and turn just right it sounds like a shotgun. LOL
I've been hesitant to add this type of locker to the runner. What is your experience like with the Aussie?
RandyBobandy
New member
I had an Aussie locker in my 97 for a while before I 5 speed swapped it, I loved it, never had any issues and I really had to try to get it to chirp the tires, so other than clicking around turns that was barely audible I never knew it was there. It was harder to drive with the 5 speed though, lots of clunking and loud bangs which is why I took it out, it was still manageable if I paid attention to how I was driving, and a heavier gear oil helped, but I didn’t want to put that much effort into keeping it from locking up when I didn’t want it to so I took it out
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
I know this isn't a rear locker, but I really like the TruTrac. I think LSD's are the perfect balance of street manners and off-road capability. Also helps with on road capability, I don't do one wheel burnouts anymore...
$325 for the e-locker new is absolutely nuts though! I wish mine had it. Well to be honest, I just want the 4.30 gear ratio hehe
$325 for the e-locker new is absolutely nuts though! I wish mine had it. Well to be honest, I just want the 4.30 gear ratio hehe
thekinglmart
New member
A rear locker install is possible. I was in the market for a rear locker for my 2002 4runner 2wd and a local offroad shop told me that they could install a rear ARB air locker for $3200. That price included parts and labor. Didn't pull the trigger, though. Figured it wouldn't be worth it. Maybe for a 4wd model it would be worth the cost.
RandyBobandy
New member
that price is absurd, an ARB setup is like $1000, no way it costs $2200 to install it even if you did none of the work yourself
thekinglmart
New member
Yea they tried tell me that multiple more parts would be needed to complete the rear locker install, but how many parts could actually be needed for it? lol.
shadow247
New member
Likely they wanted to do the axle seals, ring/pinion and bearings, which is pretty pricey if you include the labor. 3200 bucks is still a rip!
Thebeastlives
New member
unless you decide to become a serious 4wd enthusiast and it includes some rock crawler and other more serious terrain than a locker will not be necessary for 99% of 4 runner owners. If you get that serious then you normally have started with things like good recovery equipment (winches tracks), offroad tires etc. I've been out with guys that have stock 4 runners no lockers and they have tires and great skills and have zero problems. Lockers won't make up for poor skills or terrible spotters. You will generally just end up more stuck and bigger headaches offroad than being cautious without them. My 3rd gen is stock and goes just as deep as my 5th gen Trd pro. Only went it gets very crazy (deep uneven rutted climbs) does the 5th gen have an easy path. When you are on climbs and terrain like that yes travel and lockers means alot.
I never drove a car with an aftermarket locker. But, yes I hear from others that they are noisy.
I did dd a 70 chevelle with a lsd in the back for a while and loved it. You don't hear anything on turns except when you nail the accelerator and smoke the two tires.
T4R2014
Elite Member
Not a big difference between 4.10 and 4.30 honestly. The LSD is much more functional for everyday use.
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?
Im curious on this too, my 98 limited 4x4 had a electric locking dif but now the truck is totaled and will need a new dif and motor to get it up and running. If i plan on rebuilding it again should i go with a regular dif and just go with dual air lockers in the future? Or would it be worth it to find a working oem one. That is IF i can find one that works
spartacus
Senior Member
if you off road stick with the elocker because you will defiantly feel it's absence while offroad. You can always install a front arb in the future.
I figured, i might just find a differential at a junkyard and run it until i have the money to install an arb in the front and rear, I have a gut feeling that finding an oem electric dif lock for my 3rd gen is gonna be impossible. I could do a regear while im at it too.
spartacus
Senior Member
You should do what works for you and gets the rig on the road. Add the lockers when it's convient for you in the future. keep an eye out for folks parting their rigs and u pull and picks sometimes you get a deal in due time.
I'm not sure if you have accounted for this, but you will need to replace the front differential to match the gear ratio of the regular (not e-locker) rear differential. You also can't install a regular differential in an elocker rear axle housing or vice versa. They are different bolt patterns for the differential to axle housing.
I have a 99 limited that just got wrecked in an accident. My insurance and etc havent gotten into whether or not its totaled and how much they will give me (IF they will pay for it) yet. But my engine is knocking now and my dif needs to be replaced. Luckily my family is filled with mechanics and we have a shop. So im weighing out selling the wrecked rig or just buying a new one but given the car market atm its gonna be hard to find one. But thats besides the point. If i decide to replace the motor and dif. Would it be wise to just replace the dif with a non e-locked one, and wire my elocker button to a compressor? ( down the road i could set up the front and rear ARB lockers then). I cant seem to find anyone selling an oem elocked differential and im going to assume itll cost an arm and a leg. Maybe if i have the $ i could regear it as well while im down there.
