So... I'm thinking about getting a locker

[thetaxguy]

I'm thinking about getting a locker installed on my 2008 UR 2WD to get better traction on the trails, however, I really don't see too many people having them installed on either 2WD or 4WD. Some people seem to think that it would be a good idea, especially b/c I only have power going to the rear wheel(s), but does anyone know of others that have done it (on a 2WD)?

Any info would be greatly appreciated (unless you are just going to say, should have gotten a 4WD, blah, blah, blah).

Btw, I have a quote of $1,050 (parts only) or $1,500 (parts & labor) for the ARB RD 132 and compressor. Is this a good deal?

 

[J.A.]

I think it would make your rig much more capable. I hate to say it but the reason you dont see it much on 2WD is that it would have only been $2K more to get 4WD to begin with. :bash:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

$1500 sounds in the ball park. A locker will make a real and substantial difference:bigok:

:cheers:

 

[Thai]

I'm thinking about getting a locker installed on my 2008 UR 2WD to get better traction on the trails, however, I really don't see too many people having them installed on either 2WD or 4WD. Some people seem to think that it would be a good idea, especially b/c I only have power going to the rear wheel(s), but does anyone know of others that have done it (on a 2WD)?

Any info would be greatly appreciated (unless you are just going to say, should have gotten a 4WD, blah, blah, blah).

Btw, I have a quote of $1,050 (parts only) or $1,500 (parts & labor) for the ARB RD 132 and compressor. Is this a good deal?

I am gonna throw this out there...i know that the SUV market sucks right now, but bare with me. You apparently do take your 4runner off-road, right? My opinion is that you do NOT buy a locker. Save up your money. When the stars line up, i would trade in your 2wd 4runner for a 4wd one. If you add a locker to your 2wd 4runner, then you will want more in the future when you off-road more often. IMO, having traction on two different axle is more effective than having traction across the same axle. And when it comes to trading in your 2wd 4runner, the locker becomes a useless addition...so, a double loss.

 

[thetaxguy]

I think it would make your rig much more capable. I hate to say it but the reason you dont see it much on 2WD is that it would have only been $2K more to get 4WD to begin with. :bash:

Be that as it may, I did not buy the 4WD.

Originally posted by Thai
I am gonna throw this out there...i know that the SUV market sucks right now, but bare with me. You apparently do take your 4runner off-road, right? My opinion is that you do NOT buy a locker. Save up your money. When the stars line up, i would trade in your 2wd 4runner for a 4wd one. If you add a locker to your 2wd 4runner, then you will want more in the future when you off-road more often. IMO, having traction on two different axle is more effective than having traction across the same axle. And when it comes to trading in your 2wd 4runner, the locker becomes a useless addition...so, a double loss.

I have thought about this ave as well. However, being that I have a brand new '08, I will upside down for another 1.5+ yrs. And with the down-turn in the economy, I don't foresee Toyota offering any decent deals on 4runner... which if they do will untimately drive down the value of my trade anyways... which will mean that I will be upside down even longer. :bash:

The jury is still out...

 

[ric]

Re: Re: So... I'm thinking about getting a locker

I am gonna throw this out there...i know that the SUV market sucks right now, but bare with me. You apparently do take your 4runner off-road, right? My opinion is that you do NOT buy a locker. Save up your money. When the stars line up, i would trade in your 2wd 4runner for a 4wd one. If you add a locker to your 2wd 4runner, then you will want more in the future when you off-road more often. IMO, having traction on two different axle is more effective than having traction across the same axle. And when it comes to trading in your 2wd 4runner, the locker becomes a useless addition...so, a double loss.

I agree.. you will be much happier in the long run.
Try selling the 2wd outright, you will get more cash. start talking to dealers now, tell them you are shopping for the best deal, let them know your going to other dealers, look at new 07s maybe even a new 06 if any are left, lol they WANT to sell vehicles, and will do what it takes to sell one.
Theres always options

 

[thetaxguy]

Re: Re: Re: So... I'm thinking about getting a locker

I agree.. you will be much happier in the long run.
Try selling the 2wd outright, you will get more cash. start talking to dealers now, tell them you are shopping for the best deal, let them know your going to other dealers, look at new 07s maybe even a new 06 if any are left, lol they WANT to sell vehicles, and will do what it takes to sell one.
Theres always options

New '07s??? If only!

 

[ric]

Re: Re: Re: Re: So... I'm thinking about getting a locker

New '07s??? If only!

shoot, I meant a new 08 its too early, lol

 

[p nut]

I agree whole-heartedly with the above posters. Before sinking money into the 2WD, either sell or trade in, get a 4WD, then think about other upgrades. Remember, you don't have to pay sales tax on the trade in value, so that will work in your favor to minimize the cost of trade.

BUT, if you

 

[thetaxguy]

I agree whole-heartedly with the above posters. Before sinking money into the 2WD, either sell or trade in, get a 4WD, then think about other upgrades. Remember, you don't have to pay sales tax on the trade in value, so that will work in your favor to minimize the cost of trade.

BUT, if you

 

[p nut]

Would a 4WD conversion be worth it? I have looked into this route as well as it would be easy to do a SAS at the same time, however, I would probably just want the IFS. But is the '08 something that I would be able to do a lever conversion on, or would I need to buy a new computer, wiring harness, etc. to hook up the switch on the bezel? Does anyone know of a shop in SoCal that would even take this on? I talked to Jason at Demello and he "thinks" that he would be able to do it... but I would be the guinea pig as he has never done a 2WD -> 4WD conversion on an '08.

Thanks!

Yeah, it'd be a bit more difficult on a 4th Gen. However, realize that when you are looking to have someone else do the 4WD conversion for you, the costs are not worth it (that's a LOT of labor hours). Just going by finance costs, it favors just selling or trading in your 4Runner and getting a 4WD. If you do the labor yourself, it would be worth it. Which goes back to the original suggestion - sell/trade it and get a 4WD.

 

[ric]

Ive know a couple people that a the 4wd conversion, but they was on the 3rd gens, talk about HEADACHES, sourcing parts, some have to be made, and its not cheap, not even close, Id hate to see what it would take on a 4th gen, with all the electronics and safety crap. You better have another vehicle to drive, as its not something that can be done in couple of days, lol, and your wallet better be REAL FAT, lol.

In the end, it will be cost effective, and make you much happy to sell the 2wd, and get a 4wd saving you TONS OF HEADACHES.
IMHO, I would sell the 2wd to a private party, then buy a 4wd and be done, but thats me.

Its your money, your time, do what makes YOU happy :bigok:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Yeah, it'd be a bit more difficult on a 4th Gen. However, realize that when you are looking to have someone else do the 4WD conversion for you, the costs are not worth it (that's a LOT of labor hours). Just going by finance costs, it favors just selling or trading in your 4Runner and getting a 4WD.

:iagree: I'd add that to get the VSC and t-case working properly would be huge $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Thai]

I have thought about this ave as well. However, being that I have a brand new '08, I will upside down for another 1.5+ yrs. And with the down-turn in the economy, I don't foresee Toyota offering any decent deals on 4runner... which if they do will untimately drive down the value of my trade anyways... which will mean that I will be upside down even longer. :bash:

The jury is still out...

That is true...however, Toyota (and other auto manufacturers) are suffering BIG TIME with the economy...they cannot sell cars anymore!! Therefore, it is an equivalent suffering between you and the dealer. That is, yes, the SUV market is bad for you when you sell your 4runner, BUT at the same time, Toyota canNOT get anyone to come across their showroom doors! So, you will likely get screwed on your trade-in, but that only means that YOU get to screw them back when haggling the price on the new 4wd 4runner.

Someone smarter can correct me on this...a dealer is suffering more if it cannot sell NEW cars and suffers less with USED car inventory. That is, they can sit on USED cars on their lot without much financial penalty. However, the NEW car inventory is what is killing these dealerships. Right????? Basically, dealers are just trying to move their new car inventory in this economy.

 

[thetaxguy]

That is true...however, Toyota (and other auto manufacturers) are suffering BIG TIME with the economy...they cannot sell cars anymore!! Therefore, it is an equivalent suffering between you and the dealer. That is, yes, the SUV market is bad for you when you sell your 4runner, BUT at the same time, Toyota canNOT get anyone to come across their showroom doors! So, you will likely get screwed on your trade-in, but that only means that YOU get to screw them back when haggling the price on the new 4wd 4runner.

Someone smarter can correct me on this...a dealer is suffering more if it cannot sell NEW cars and suffers less with USED car inventory. That is, they can sit on USED cars on their lot without much financial penalty. However, the NEW car inventory is what is killing these dealerships. Right????? Basically, dealers are just trying to move their new car inventory in this economy.

Very true. And with 6% interest rates, they will have even less people to move new cars off their lots.

I might just lock it for now, and then remove the locker when I sell it and install the locker on my next t4r. At least then I'm only in the whole for the cost of labor... and if the locker does not fit the next 4runner, I'll just have a really cool paperweight!!! :bigok:

 

[Will816]

Its hard to beat 2 locked wheels, there are instances where a locker on a 2wd will get past an obstacle that a 4wd might not make it on. I think you should do it if you are really into offroading, just remember to be careful when it is locked, it is much easier to cause harm to the drivetrain.

 

[thetaxguy]

just remember to be careful when it is locked, it is much easier to cause harm to the drivetrain.

Good advise. Thanks!

 

[SubSonic]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: So... I'm thinking about getting a locker

shoot, I meant a new 08 its too early, lol

lol I hear ya. That's what I did, BTW, found a new '08 back in December. The '09s were coming in and I had to "find" an '08 in their inventory system and have it shipped in...But between the economy (Toyota's willingness to deal) and the 0% interest rate I got on mine, it saved me MORE than enough over the 60mos I financed to move up from a Sport SR5 to my Limited V8 4x4. I'd go so far as to say the 0%-interest savings alone also saved me more than I've spent on all my WeatherTech stuff (front, back, cargo mats and inline vent visors) and Sirius-integration parts too. Put it to you this way, you multiply my monthly payment X 60, and it's almost exactly $42,000 (which is less than the $43+ sticker - and includes the 7/100 Platinum warranty). Gotta love the 0% financing - and is why I jumped all over it even though I really didn't need a new truck. I'd hate to see how much that $42,000 would've been at 5-6%. My math is a bit rusty, but $42,000 for 60 mos @ 6% would end up costing about $56,651 or so. Like I said, that 0% seriously upgraded my buying power - to the tune of about $14,000 (if my math is correct) over the life of the loan.

My advice to the OP: Get the locker if that's what you want - dude, it's your SUV and your money. But I may hold off at least a while and see if Toyota doesn't reintroduce some 0% financing again soon to aide in moving their new inventory out of the way. I'd bet there are still some nice, new 2008 4x4s out there that some dealer somewhere would be willing to make a deal on. I know some of the other makers are sneaking some 0% deals out there again (GM's 0% President's Day Sale)...maybe Toyota will as well.