domstriker
New member
Let me see if I got this straight...A stock 4wd t4r comes with only a rear diff lock, right? So the elocker is used on the front diff?
So explain elockers to me
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domstriker
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ELocker says it can be used on the rear or the front diff. What's the advantage of replacing the stock diff lock with an elocker on the rear diff then?
JohnsD90
New member
Most 4x4's didnt have the E locker. The E locker and Diff lock are the same thing, and they were only available on the rear axle from 96 to 00. Never on the front.
kball
New member
Both diff's are "open" on 4runners. So if you have the elocker it will lock up the two back wheels. With open diff's once a wheel loses traction it will just spin and the other wheel on that diff will sit there. With the elocker both rear tires will spin even if one is off the ground because it's locked. To put it simply, 4 wheel drive is really two wheel drive and if you have the elocker you have 3 wheel drive.
driffter33
New member
This is interesting as I have met many people that have no idea what the E-locker/rear diff lock is or does. Would be nice to put together a demonstration video to make it easy.
domstriker
New member
This I already understood.
I've just been reading through all the threads and it seems like a lot of people have an elocker mod. I assumed that all 4wd T4R's came stock with a rear diff lock and didn't know why someone would replace the stock diff lock with an elocker. Then I thought that maybe they were putting it on the front diff so they had all four wheels locked when needed.
So basically, the people that added on an elocker didn't have a rear diff lock to begin with?
JohnsD90
New member
Yes, but the amount of people than have done that mod probably wouldnt fill up a schoolbus.
quicksilvr
New member
driffter33
New member
So basically, the people that added on an elocker didn't have a rear diff lock to begin with?[/QUOTE]
Correct that is what i did, retro fit as the diff lock/ e-locker was only available 96-00 and as far as I know only on the limited, and maybe some highlander 4X4 packages it is rather rare but very sought after in the off road world. As far as I know the only selectable locker for the front diff is ARB air locker but I may be wrong.
my runner had all the wiring through out the dash so all I had to do was find the rear end, the switch, and the ecu, install them and make a wire harness from the ecu the the rear end and now it works just as if it was factory installed.
Correct that is what i did, retro fit as the diff lock/ e-locker was only available 96-00 and as far as I know only on the limited, and maybe some highlander 4X4 packages it is rather rare but very sought after in the off road world. As far as I know the only selectable locker for the front diff is ARB air locker but I may be wrong.
my runner had all the wiring through out the dash so all I had to do was find the rear end, the switch, and the ecu, install them and make a wire harness from the ecu the the rear end and now it works just as if it was factory installed.
BADGATE
New member
you mentioned the diff lock/ e-locker was only available 96-00 and maybe only on limited or highlander models. i have an 01 SR5 with the diff lock, came stock form the manufacturer that way. i too thought that this was std for 4WD runners. this appears to not be so...is this a rarety?
Martinjmpr
New member
The rear locker was not available in 2001. What you have a center diff lock. Different thing entirely.
When the center diff lock is "on" it just gives you "conventional" 4wd with the front and rear driveshafts locked together. With the center diff lock in the "off" position, you can drive in 4wd on the streets (basically, you have AWD) which I can't do on my 99 because I don't have a center differential.
And FWIW you don't have to have a limited to get a rear diff lock. My 99 SR5 has a rear locker.
Martinjmpr
New member
Guys, I think Domstriker is talking about the "E Lock Mod." A/K/A the Gray wire mod (Tacoma) or Green Wire Mod (4runner.)
DOM: As it comes from the factory, the Toyota e-locker can only be engaged in 4wd low range. If you put the T-case into 4high or 2high, the E-locker automatically disengages. However, there is a modification you can make that will allow the factory E-locker to work in 4high or 2high, it's sometimes called the gray wire mod, or the green wire mod. I haven't done it yet, but it's quite common in the Toyota world.
Does that help?
DOM: As it comes from the factory, the Toyota e-locker can only be engaged in 4wd low range. If you put the T-case into 4high or 2high, the E-locker automatically disengages. However, there is a modification you can make that will allow the factory E-locker to work in 4high or 2high, it's sometimes called the gray wire mod, or the green wire mod. I haven't done it yet, but it's quite common in the Toyota world.
Does that help?
domstriker
New member
yes that helps immensely. Although I'm realizing that there's more to this topic than I originally thought.
domstriker
New member
I've only had my 01 limited for a few days now but I now realize that mine has a center diff lock.
Are there people out there that have front, rear, and center diff locks all on the same vehicle?
Last edited:
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
The rear diff lock positively locks both rear wheels together with zero slippage thus is why you shouldn't drive on hard packed surfaces with it engaged. It's useful for getting unstuck or climbing a steep incline. A center diff lock still will allow slippage between the front and rear and isn't truly locked.
If you don't see this you don't have the OEM locker.
If you don't see this you don't have the OEM locker.
JohnsD90
New member
It was available on SR5's too, idk about base models.
domstriker
New member
you mean right and left?
JohnsD90
New member
No, Front and rear.
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