rear diff swap to e-locker

[Thumper84]

I am considering to swap to to rear locker on my 98 limited v6 runner and have found a 99' 2wd Tacoma trd with electric rear locker for a great price. Both have 2 pinion and 4:10 ratio so they match up there. I know there has been a lot written about swaps but I have a some questions. If I have a 7.5" RING gear in the rear can I fit a 8"? Obvious concerns are the size difference,but would the mounting bolt pattern match up. Has anyone done this or known about it?

I'm not to sure about this method but this is how these numbers match up on the door jams.
B03A :2WD Tacoma
A03A :4WD 4Runner

 

[nissanh]

Why not get an ARB air locker.
The path you are taking will surely cost more $$ and gives you a lot of headache.

 

[fblainen11]

[MENTION=85046]nissanh[/MENTION] Do the ARB lockers put extra pressure on the axle seals?

 

[jklmc]

i don't think there are any 4runners w/ 7.5 rear gears. only '90 and beyond 2WD Hilux / Tacomas have 7.5 rear. front IFS gears are 7.5. from my experience.

 

[MandAtaco]

Your 4Runner has an 8" rear, not a 7.5".

The short answer is it will fit, the long answer is you have to grind the housing, move some studs around, etc. Theres a bunch of write ups on the swap, do a google search.

 

[MandAtaco]

Here: Retrofit Electric Locker

 

[JohnMc]

It's more work to put a locker 3rd member into a non-locker axle housing, as documented above /\ /\ /\. And the Taco axle won't fit into a 4Runner either, leaf springs vs. coils and linkages.

The swap you're considering is certainly possible, it's just not easy, and getting out of the 'shade tree' parts swapping range. You might be better off finding another complete locking 4Runner axle.

 

[Thumper84]

It seems more work this way from what I've heard and researched. I'm going to wait til I can afford a different swap or come across a good deal that matches. I appreciate the feedback.