When life gives you lemons... locker

[NorthernRyan]

If you want pics and back ground about my blown rear diff and what that sounds like go here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/116740-help-stuck-woods.html
and here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/117951-mudding-gone-wrong-compatible-third-members.html

Anyways I have been looking for options to fix it. Was thinking at first about finding a donor from a junk yard but given what seems to be a rare gear ratio of 3.91 for my 2003 V6 I gave up on that... and I wasn't excited to put something I didn't really know the history of on my runner. For the gear shop that was suggested to me by the jeep guys to do it, they said 4 hours to rebuild the diff and 4 hours to drop it out and in. They also didn't have that gear set so I would have to source it, o ya and their labour rate is $195 an hour...yay (living in fort mac, Canada oilsands boom town). That's pretty typical up here. The dealership said worst case 2300 all said and done as with labour it's sometimes cheaper to buy a whole new third...

So I'm obviously opting to do it myself. Still need someone to rebuild my third though. Searching on here and 120 I heard a lot about east coast gear supply. For a new third from them they ship you out a remanned one starting at 575, shipping included in the states. I have family in Vancouver with cheap shipping so I think I will a get a parcel receiving place right across the boarder to receive it and get family to pick it up and send it to me.

Then I saw you can add an ARB locker to it for an extra 850. Seeing as it would cost 800 in labour for a shop to install it in teh third alone up here, ya, I'm tempted/going to do it.

So my question is anyone have anything to say about these guys or know a better place to get this set up? If it's in Canada that would make a big difference hassle wise. Or any comments on the ARB, it seems to be the usual locker of choice.

Also there is a great write up for rear axle seals in the 3rd gen threads but couldn't find one for the 4ths. Thought it would be a good idea to replace the seals as I have to flush out the rear axle. For ours is it more or less the same with just an oil seal and an O ring to replace, and possibly the dust boot as well?

Thanks again, and you would be correct that I am super stoked about getting a rear locker when I wouldn't have done this mod for a long time otherwise.:guitar3:

 

[KidVermicious]

I've never used East Coast Gear Supply, but I've never heard anything bad about them. I have used Randy's Ring and Pinion, and was happy with them.

 

[Exploresystems]

East coast gear seems to have a good rep...buy prebuilt and return your core, all set!
Toyota V6 8''- Pickup, 4runner,FJ Criuser

 

[aha2988]

East Coast Gear Supply is right in my backyard of Raleigh north carolina. I'm personally purchasing front clamshell assemblies with gears and locker, and rear third member with gears and lockers from them with no doubt in mind there the best options.

They offer a 5 year warranty to all there products and services best warranty i've seen yet. They offer a variety of lockers. Personally from what i've researched the ARB design although its extremely strong has a weak point in which the air supply to the lockers design can allow the action of engaging and disingaging to pump diff fluid into the airline preventing proper engagment. They added a fix to it they offer a setup so when you plumb your air line in the air line see's a constant low pressure preventing any fluids from entering the line

TJM (ARB's compeditor and grandfather) has locker options for the rear as well. However they use a solenoid design that prevents the air line from ever getting close to diff fluid being pumped in, i believe they quoted me a 25 dollar difference between the TJM and the ARB for my rear setup. So I personally plan to use the TJM locker to avoid any possible issues.

The ARB's for the fronts have no recorded issues whatever. Also they offer lockright lockers, detroit lockers, yukon zip lockers (weak), and true trac limited slip's you can have them regeared as well. I recommend calling them to place your order as they'll customize the price specific to you and there prices at that time. I would say the online prices are actually a little inflated due to material cost changes weekly.

ECGS quoted me 2800 for front clamshell assembly and rear third member complete with ARB front locker 4.56 gears and TJM rear locker w/ a 5 year warranty. Theres no question you can't beat that price and service.

A personally off-roading buddy has dual transfer case's installed by them last week we took it wheeling friday, no issues what so ever. They do great work, offer awesome products, and stand behind everything they sell. They dont charge a core charge until three weeks after you've recieved your product. so once you get the Third member you have three weeks to get your old one back so you dont even have to consider paying the core charge.

as for rebuilding the other componants in the axle. its probably the best time in the world to do so. I'm comfident if you go with one of ECGS's third members you won't be back in that axle for quite some time other than to change diff fluid. i would hate to have to shorten that time of no maintance just to disassemble to replace the seals.

Plus since you did break teeth in the carrier assembly its a great idea to completly flush the housing out and remove any debree posible to prevent premature wear of the new carrier.

If you go with ARB just be sure to ask about the parts neccessary to prevent oil from getting pumped back into your air supply line other than that no worries with the ARB or TJM both superior lockers in the off-road game!