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Installing a locker on my 4runner

Wasatch Rebel

Wasatch Rebel

Man of the mountains
Location
Middle of Nowhere
For my 2000 4runner, I've seen several locker recommendations, but the two that interest me are the Detroit locker, and the ARB. Both require a level of know-how in installation that I don't possess. So, first, which do you like? Secondly, can you recommend a good (fair priced and honest) shop to get it done at?
 
Rot Box

Rot Box

Diesel and Dust
Supporting Member
Location
Smithfield Utah
Assuming your talking about the rear axle have you considered a factory Toyota E-locker? If you found a complete third member with matching gears all you would need to do is pull your pumpkin out and install the new one. You could wire it in to a switch or run a cable actuator :greg:

I like Detroits and ARB's a lot for different reasons so I'd go with the cheaper option unless I already had an air system to run an ARB.
 
Paul R

Paul R

Well-Known Member
Location
SLC
Rot Box said:
If you found a complete third member with matching gears all you would need to do is pull your pumpkin out and install the new one.
Click to expand...

This is true on the 8 inch dif found in the mini trucks, unfortunately that doesn't work on the 8.4 rear end. You need to swap the whole axle, but it is still a good option.

Other than that if you are mainly street driving I would go with the ARB because of selectability.

Another thing to consider is if you actually need a locker... I have had my Tacoma for a year and a half, and I was sure I needed a locker. I swapped out for a TRD rear end about a year ago and I still haven't wired up the locker, because the truck has gone everywhere I needed it to (and cause I'm lazy). But the point is I have never been stopped because of it, now if you have been hitting trails and feel you need lockers, by all means go for it.
 
Wasatch Rebel

Wasatch Rebel

Man of the mountains
Location
Middle of Nowhere
Paul R said:
This is true on the 8 inch dif found in the mini trucks, unfortunately that doesn't work on the 8.4 rear end. You need to swap the whole axle, but it is still a good option.

Other than that if you are mainly street driving I would go with the ARB because of selectability.

Another thing to consider is if you actually need a locker... I have had my Tacoma for a year and a half, and I was sure I needed a locker. I swapped out for a TRD rear end about a year ago and I still haven't wired up the locker, because the truck has gone everywhere I needed it to (and cause I'm lazy). But the point is I have never been stopped because of it, now if you have been hitting trails and feel you need lockers, by all means go for it.
Click to expand...

That's a good point. I do mainly street driving with it, with occasional forays onto rough roads--usually to get to a destination, but often to see where the road goes. Sometimes I see a road that looks like it would be fun to try and go up. I guess I've never really considered a locker before, and I used to have a Toyota Landcruiser 40, and never got stuck in that except for the time I got high-centered. And I never got stuck in my Cherokee either. You're right, I may not need one, but I was thinking it would be nice to have, just in case I need it. I know the limited version of my vehicle has them as an option--so, I thought it should work rather easily--especially Rotbox's Toyota locker--with someone else doing the work--I can do a few things like change clutch lines, brakes and stuff like that, but get too much more technical and I'm floundering. I'm thinking I ought to take some kind of class though and learn some more heavy duty stuff.
 
Green Leader

Green Leader

Active Member
Location
Riverton, UT
I recommend the ARB, I have a TJ but all the same. I love my ARB the selectability is the best. True you may not need it all the time and thats what makes it so great its there when you want it and when you don't need it. They are more expensive but worth it and i will do it that way again.
 
L

leorn

reset
Location
Roy
elockers have served me well, although I recently found out that they are weaker than a normal V6 (not tacoma 8.4) diff after a break in moab this year. I am running 39s on the setup, so its putting up with a lot, but if I had it to do over again I would do an arb. Really I'm at the point where 8" toy diffs are not appropriate for what I do. If you plan on pushing the limits of toy stuff I would not recommend an elocker.
 
8

854ranner

New Member
Just do a TRD e-locker EZ to put come all set up just swap out the third member and wire it up, very durable but a little pricey, they run you about 1200.
 
NOTATOY

NOTATOY

BACKYARD CUSTOMZ
Location
SOUTH OGDEN
Ive got a buddy in N. Ogden that does a ton of wrecked Toyotas. He always has part laying around so if you want an elocker pm me and I'll get you his #
 
ricsrx

ricsrx

Well-Known Member
I have purchased 2 elockers from sellers on RME and have only paid $500 and that included the complete housing.. I have one istalled on the front and it works great.
 
K

KrazyKarl

Dents are cool right?
Location
SLC
My 1998 4runner has the elocker in it and although I have never really had to use it, it has made wheeling it a lot easier. You definitely don't have to rally it as hard when its locked. If you're not going crazy with it an elocker is your best/easiest/cheapest option.
 
B

big cherokee

a.r.c fabrication
Location
layton
i am running e lockers front and rear on my truck and am running 40s and have yet to hurt one.

nice easy fit with a little work to your stock housing or get a whole axle either way works great.
 
Max Power

Max Power

Bryce
Location
Sandy
It has been said above that you just have to swap out the 3rd member. While this is true you also have to take a grinder to your housing and tap some new places for bolts. I found it not worth the headache to do the modifications myself so I just swapped in a new to me locked axle from a wrecking yard. Only took about 6 hours to complete the swap. If you have a five speed you will find it hard to find the right gear ration which is probably 4.10. the 4.30 ratio's that came with the automatic are a dime a dozen and are easier to find. I got the whole axle from lkq in springville for $350. Bought a nice locker harness form off-road solutions that worked out to be a nice buy for $200. You can use the factory switch and have the locker dash light functional. This being said I would recommend the factory trd locker because it works and it will not make the possible next purchaser of your vehicle think you rallied your 4runner to the point that you needed a aftermarket locker. I know it would make me nervous. Good luck. A easy mod for $550 and 9 hours of work including the harness install.
 
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