TE Locker Upgrade Possible?

hearno

hearno

Senior Member
I did some searching and couldn't find any threads about this. I'm guessing they're there but I'm using the wrong keywords, or it's not possible because everyone already knows it. Upgrading a standard 4th gen to a TE e-locked rear. Doable? Cost prohibitive? Better to go with an aftermarket air locked rear? OEM donors few and far between? Anyone have any input?
 
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Not sure but I am interested in this as well. I also wasnt sure about one out of a tacoma since those are easier to find
 
macoyle said:
Not sure but I am interested in this as well. I also wasnt sure about one out of a tacoma since those are easier to find
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Yes, a buddy mentioned he saw one on a newer model Tacoma and I didn't know they still did that. I thought it ended in with the newer body style Tacos in 2003 or whenever it was.
 
the rear diff housing is not compatible with the e-locker if it did not come that way stock. It can be done but you would need to alter the profile of the diff housing mounting surface and add a new mounting stud. The FJ lockers are a direct swap with the modifications mentioned.


without e-locker
housing5.jpg

with e-locker
housing6.jpg

There are web sites that discuss this in detail:
here is one of a few out there:
Retrofit Electric Locker

There are pros and cons of the various options for adding a locker. Air-locked (such as an ARB) actually results in a stronger rear end due to the components used and the preservation of the mounting flange. The e-locker is reliable (if exercised regularly) and requires no additional equipment to operate (air compressor).
 

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ebg18t said:
The fj rear axle with e-locker
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Exactly, Im talking about finding an entire axle with an E-locker out of an FJ at a junkyard and pulling it out and swapping the entire axle. I havent done my homework on it and looked into the dimensions or anything but they are basically the same drivetrain with a shorter wheel base, Im pretty sure its the same gear ratios for the automatics so it should almost be a direct swap. The only thing you would have to do is wire up a switch for the locker and probably shave and re weld shock mounts and maybe coil buckets.

Like I said I havent really looked into it too much its just an idea I had for an easy mod to look into down the road
 
well it depends on exactly how much fab work would have to be done. Moving shock mounts is easy and cheap, and a lot of places wouldnt charge more than $300 for the entire axle assembly, so it really depends
 
macoyle said:
well it depends on exactly how much fab work would have to be done. Moving shock mounts is easy and cheap, and a lot of places wouldnt charge more than $300 for the entire axle assembly, so it really depends
Click to expand...

I read some where. Not sure here or 120. But I think I read the axle just bolts up fir the most part.. I have no confirmation though.
 
So your interested in a locker ay

Air is going to cost the most, not only are you purchasing a new carrier you also have to purchase a compressor. IMO your going to get the strongest gears going with air locking carriers as they are built to hold thick cut ring gears. The toyota Elocking carrier has shallow cut ring gears due to the design of the locking mechanism. I've heard of a few Fj's that have grenaded due to pinion deflection. You can improve this flaw by installing a solid pinion spacer in place of the factory crush sleeve.


The automatic FJ's have matching ring gear sizes and ratios being an 8" ring gear and 3.73 gearing. The manual Fj's and 3rd gens 4r's, have a different gear ratio the can be used but must be regeared. tacoma/t100 3rd members are not an option at all see link below for info on a tacoma axle.

toyota axle info: Erik's Toyota Differential info


Retrofitting the housing is easier than swaping out the entire axle. Just by not having to disconnect the ebrake cable your saving yourself major time. You have to figure that whatever old/used/junkyard special elocking carrier your purchasing (unless it was brand new or the vehicle while well maintained endured a crash) at best needs to be rebuilt with new bearings and races which gives the perfect opportunity to install a needed solid pinion spacer. Even if the toyota elocking carrier is brand new if this is being installed for off-roading purposes your going to want to install a solid pinion spacer. (for justification I ripped off every tooth of my ring gear when it was factory so I believe in the solid spacers)

So cost wise your looking at whatever cost the carrier is to you, a rebuild kit from eastcoastgearsupply.com, solid pinion spacer, and if you don't know how to set bearing pre-load and backlash mechanic costs for rebuilding the diff. Oh and two longer studs needed to mount the elocking carrier also found at ECGS.

to retrofit the housing just purchase the paper gasket for the elocking carrier remove the studs in the axle housing that are obviously not going to be reused and place the gasket over the existing studs. (make sure you have it oriented correctly there is a top and a bottom to the gasket!!) Mark where the new studs need to be located as well as the notch that has to be grinded

grind out the notch with a angle grinder and grinding stone wheel. drill and tap the new studs (make sure they're perpendicular to the housing use a drill bushing it helps) then clean all the mating surfaces extremely well. Also you'll have to grind down a raised section on the housing the new carrier overlaps.

seal with RTV and your ready to start wiring (wiring schematic can be found on the diff info link provided above) As well you can sell your old carrier to counter mod costs.



the best option in my personal opinion is call chase at Eastcoastgearsupply.com and have him quote you an air locking differential with whatever gearing you want. they ship it to you ready to install and give a 3 week window to get your old diff back to them preventing a 300 dollar core charge. They offer a 5 year warranty on all ring and pinion installs. It really is the best bang for the buck.
 
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our rear axles should be a direct swap for the tacos no? just for knowledge..

also from what austin said air is clearly the move, plus the mv50 is wicked cheap for a compressor, i did my OBA for under 150. link in my build..
 
zopperman said:
our rear axles should be a direct swap for the tacos no? just for knowledge..

also from what austin said air is clearly the move, plus the mv50 is wicked cheap for a compressor, i did my OBA for under 150. link in my build..
Click to expand...

negetive.. lol DOES ANYONE READ MY LINKS jk jk you could swap the entire axle but you would have to create spring perches and shock mounts

taco_3rd_member2.jpg

The T100/Tundra/Tacoma diff


All 2wd and 4wd T100's, '00-06 Tundra's, and ?? Sequoia's use a newer/stronger 8" 2-pinion diff. Tacoma 4x4's and Tacoma PreRunner's that don't come with the electric locker (aka "non-TRD), as well as V6 Tacoma 4x2's also came with this diff.
This diff commonly and mistakenly called an 8.4" or 8.25" diff, possibly to imply its extra strength. The ring gear actually measures 8". The extra strength of this diff comes from the bearing cap/truss and large diameter pinion gear shaft.
LSD's available is the TRD/Kazuma clutch-type 3-pinion LSD, the OEM 4-pinion Tundra TRD LSD, and the Detroit Trutrac.
Lockers available are the Powertrax "Lock-right," "No-Slip," ARB Air Locker, Detroit Softlocker.
This diff cannot be fitted to an older style 8" axle because it uses a larger diameter mounting bolt pattern and because more space inside the housing necessary to accommodate the large bearing cap. The different bolt pattern also makes it very impractical to swap in an electric locking Toyota diff (the whole mounting flange would have to be re-done using a special jig).

- Carrier bearing truss and newer housing adds significant strength over V6 and 4cyl diffs
- Uses V6 carrier bearings, larger pinion bearings
- Uses shims for backlash adjustment instead of threaded adjusters
- Twelve 12mm Ring gear bolts
- 10mm axle housing studs with 14mm nuts
- 30 splilne axles
- 30 spline pinion

* 4Runners do NOT use this diff at all. Late-model 4Runners still use the V6 8" diff above.

** This diff is NOT swappable with V6, 4cyl, high-pinion, or electric locking diffs. This diff cannot be fitted to an older style 8" axle because it uses a larger diameter mounting bolt pattern and because more space inside the housing necessary to accommodate the large bearing cap.
 

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aha2988 said:
negetive.. lol DOES ANYONE READ MY LINKS jk jk you could swap the entire axle but you would have to create spring perches and shock mounts

View attachment 98618

The T100/Tundra/Tacoma diff


All 2wd and 4wd T100's, '00-06 Tundra's, and ?? Sequoia's use a newer/stronger 8" 2-pinion diff. Tacoma 4x4's and Tacoma PreRunner's that don't come with the electric locker (aka "non-TRD), as well as V6 Tacoma 4x2's also came with this diff.
This diff commonly and mistakenly called an 8.4" or 8.25" diff, possibly to imply its extra strength. The ring gear actually measures 8". The extra strength of this diff comes from the bearing cap/truss and large diameter pinion gear shaft.
LSD's available is the TRD/Kazuma clutch-type 3-pinion LSD, the OEM 4-pinion Tundra TRD LSD, and the Detroit Trutrac.
Lockers available are the Powertrax "Lock-right," "No-Slip," ARB Air Locker, Detroit Softlocker.
This diff cannot be fitted to an older style 8" axle because it uses a larger diameter mounting bolt pattern and because more space inside the housing necessary to accommodate the large bearing cap. The different bolt pattern also makes it very impractical to swap in an electric locking Toyota diff (the whole mounting flange would have to be re-done using a special jig).

- Carrier bearing truss and newer housing adds significant strength over V6 and 4cyl diffs
- Uses V6 carrier bearings, larger pinion bearings
- Uses shims for backlash adjustment instead of threaded adjusters
- Twelve 12mm Ring gear bolts
- 10mm axle housing studs with 14mm nuts
- 30 splilne axles
- 30 spline pinion

* 4Runners do NOT use this diff at all. Late-model 4Runners still use the V6 8" diff above.

** This diff is NOT swappable with V6, 4cyl, high-pinion, or electric locking diffs. This diff cannot be fitted to an older style 8" axle because it uses a larger diameter mounting bolt pattern and because more space inside the housing necessary to accommodate the large bearing cap.
Click to expand...

Perhaps I am reading this wrong... But are you saying the 4th & 5th Gen 4Runners do NOT use the 8+" (I'm using the "+" to denote the 8.25/8.4" nickname) differential? If so, does this mean that the V8 and FJ Cruiser use a different unit altogether?
 
BlackWorksInc said:
Perhaps I am reading this wrong... But are you saying the 4th & 5th Gen 4Runners do NOT use the 8+" (I'm using the "+" to denote the 8.25/8.4" nickname) differential? If so, does this mean that the V8 and FJ Cruiser use a different unit altogether?
Click to expand...

That info is copied from Erik's Toyota Differential info which is a little dated now, as it doesn't include some of the changes in the last few years with the 5th gen. However The tacoma has a different axle housing than the 4runners and fj's
axlehousings.jpg
 

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