should i axle swap to get an affordable locker?

[jinxed13]

my 01 didnt come with a locker and only 3.90 gears. i want to regear and add a locker.buts its too damned expensive.
i was thinking of just getting a rear axle with a factory locker and swap the front diff. im currently running 285/75 16 all terrains.

is this the most affordable and effective solution?

 

[clemson4r]

my 01 didnt come with a locker and only 3.90 gears. i want to regear and add a locker.buts its too damned expensive.
i was thinking of just getting a rear axle with a factory locker and swap the front diff. im currently running 285/75 16 all terrains.

is this the most affordable and effective solution?

That is how I did it. I bought a front and rear 4.30 setup from a member here with a locker. Beware though, I found that once I had installed everything and went on my initial test drive, the pinion bearings had failed and were making a terrible racket. Had to pull the third and replaced all the bearings.
That being said, it is usually less expensive to go this route as opposed to regear and ARB locker or the like.

Max

 

[jinxed13]

That is how I did it. I bought a front and rear 4.30 setup from a member here with a locker. Beware though, I found that once I had installed everything and went on my initial test drive, the pinion bearings had failed and were making a terrible racket. Had to pull the third and replaced all the bearings.
That being said, it is usually less expensive to go this route as opposed to regear and ARB locker or the like.

Max

i do all my own work, but ive never opened up a diff before, is there anything to look for or inspect before purchasing a used set?

 

[Idle Beak]

I'm interested in doing this as well. What components do I need, to do a complete swap over on my 99 limited. Also where would be the best place to look for a complete locker assembly?

 

[jinxed13]

I'm interested in doing this as well. What components do I need, to do a complete swap over on my 99 limited. Also where would be the best place to look for a complete locker assembly?

personally i am going to watch my local pick a part yards for models with an elocker. ideally im going to pull the whole rear axle since retrofitting the locker to an existing housing seems like a bit more work than i want to do. also pull the diff out of the front axle since the gear ratios are the same. then wire up the locker using one of the write ups on this site.
thats my plan at least.

 

[nissanh]

Is the elocker lock and unlock mechanism similar to the door lock and unlock mechanism? Just 3 wires (one common and two live wires)?

 

[Idle Beak]

personally i am going to watch my local pick a part yards for models with an elocker. ideally im going to pull the whole rear axle since retrofitting the locker to an existing housing seems like a bit more work than i want to do. also pull the diff out of the front axle since the gear ratios are the same. then wire up the locker using one of the write ups on this site.
thats my plan at least.

PM me when you start that thread. I'm not adventurous enough to do something like that without seeing someone's start to finish product with details. Not only that but I don't know how much that would even cost.

 

[jinxed13]

Is the elocker lock and unlock mechanism similar to the door lock and unlock mechanism? Just 3 wires (one common and two live wires)?

it looks like its a 8 pin connection, then a switch.

 

[habanero]

Step 1. Figure up if you're pre-wired for the e-locker brain. Then you'll know if you should nab that part or not.

Step 2. Lots of write-ups and info. Tons of it. Research. Lots. My 96 was not pre-wired but I was able to find the info I needed because of the work shared by others (thank you thank you!). What I did is now in my build thread. Lots of great threads all about the place.

Step 3. Find parts. I found a rear axle in the forums from someone who happened to be local. The front was in a boneyard. I made sure they were the same gearing. All in working order except one of the rear axle bearings died rather quickly. No problem though, just swapped out for my old one.

Step 4. Profit! Er....put it all together in a beautiful beautiful way.

 

[Bijan]

Just so I'm clear on something I read in another thread....the locking differential should be used primarily at VERY low speeds and NOT on asphalt correct?

 

[bama16]

i bought a rear locked axle and front 4.30 dif for $540 total. This was not much more than installing something like an aussie locker, and a lot less than ARB. They are waiting on install right now. I'm probably going to use the ultimate locker harness form lowrangeoffroad.com

Ultimate Toyota Electric Locker ELocker Wiring Harness Kit by Low Range Off Road (TDI-ELWH)

 

[BrandonF]

I managed to find a rare 4.10 geared elocker rear axle for my 5 speed 4runner and swapped it in. I paid $500 for the axle and all of the factory wiring, switch and computer. Sold my open axle for $225. So I ended up with a $275 elocker with factory wiring. So yes, its the cheapest and best way to get a locker IMO

 

[xcmtb83]

FWIW - 4.10 elocker diffs aren't rare. They are very common in 1st gen TRD Tacomas so if you can get ahold of an empty 4Runner axle housing you are good. Personally I would always opt for atleast 4.30 diffs regardless of trans and tire size. On the topic of rarity it is the 4.56 elockers that are rare.

 

[BrandonF]

FWIW - 4.10 elocker diffs aren't rare. They are very common in 1st gen TRD Tacomas so if you can get ahold of an empty 4Runner axle housing you are good. Personally I would always opt for atleast 4.30 diffs regardless of trans and tire size. On the topic of rarity it is the 4.56 elockers that are rare.

I should have specified are in a complete 4runner axle housing that makes for a very easy swap in.

 

[T4R2014]

You are definitely not prewired since there was no locker option in 2001.