88 4runner e-locker swap and front regear

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hey everyone-
don't post much but i'm the guy thats had some traction issues in that little mud puddle at fall gathering past 2 years (you may have seen the photos with me sittin on the hood). least this past year i wasn't the only one in my group ;)

anyway, i can't let it happen again this year.

towards that end i pulled an e-locker out of a late 90s 4runner. $40 so i didn't have to search for quarters in the couch for too long, thankfully.

i've got the v6 turbo diff [ID'ed it using this site Erik's Toyota Differential info ] so the locker should pop right in, also grabbed the computer and stuff so i'm not shortin wires in my mouth when i need to lock.

reason i haven't popped it in yet is the locker i pulled has 4.30s and my truck has 4.10s. i'm not the most experienced guy but with good advice i've always pretty much done everything myself.

my questions are:

1. Whats best path forward for the front diff?
Pull one at the yard with 4.30s already in it? Not sure if this is good idea cause don't think the 88 4runner front swaps with much else, unlike the rear.

2. Re-gear the front myself? Not sure what amount of time / art / shim skill and commitment is necessary for this. Never re-geared anything, read a bit online, but would like an honest estimate of how much a project this would be [and the costs]. I drive my truck daily so it can't be on stands for too long. . .

3. Pay someone to re-gear the front for me? How much does this cost and does anyone know a decent shop near cambridge?

Ultimately doing it myself is what I'd like to happen. Any words of advice/encouragement are appreciated. Otherwise someone's gonna have to winch me out of that puddle this year again. . .

Andre.

P.S. No I don't think I want to do a front SAS at the moment. Trying to minimize the number of long-term projects in my life right now. . .
 
Performing a DIY re-gear has always been out of my league. For my regears, I have always purchased an assembled and tested third member from a reputable vendor. Never had any problems. Saved $ by wrenching the install myself.
 
there is a lot of work involved in putting that E locker into a non e-locker housing which im guessing your doing. You have to notch the axle housing for the clutch fork to pass buy and drill and tap for two new studs, this job is a time vampire:wrench:

personally if it was me and i was only doing this as a traction adder i would hold off and buy an aussie locker, then save the e-locker for the front when you do an sas

after you buy new gears have them set up its going to be expensive well over the cost of the Aussie locker that you can do your self

just some food for thought :cheers:
 
I did the opposite in my Tacoma. I had an elocker but blew the r&p out of it. I swapped in a welded 8in diff. Had to weld up a couple of holes and tap new ones.

Swapped one into the front when we SASed my friends 4runner and used the factory paper gasket for a template since I had one sitting in my toolbox at work.

The hardest part will be either regearing the diff or finding a front with the right ratio.
 
so I think what my current plan is to pull another v6/turbo diff at the yard with 4.10s, and then I can take my time swapping the gears into the locker.

I've looked through the housing modifications on a couple different sites and they don't seem that bad, but I suppose I'll find out.
 
It's 4 studs...

I have an 87 housing already modified for an e-locker that I'll sell for $50. Includes axles.

nat88toy said:
there is a lot of work involved in putting that E locker into a non e-locker housing which im guessing your doing. You have to notch the axle housing for the clutch fork to pass buy and drill and tap for two new studs, this job is a time vampire:wrench:

personally if it was me and i was only doing this as a traction adder i would hold off and buy an aussie locker, then save the e-locker for the front when you do an sas

after you buy new gears have them set up its going to be expensive well over the cost of the Aussie locker that you can do your self

just some food for thought :cheers:
Click to expand...
 
foxfab said:
It's 4 studs...

I have an 87 housing already modified for an e-locker that I'll sell for $50. Includes axles.
Click to expand...

ah i stand corrected its been a while:D i just remember the two long studs being a pain in the ass, had to drill a perfect 90 * so they were strait

a good deal on the axle id go for it Andre
 
great shape. Was in my DD until last year when I parted it out. Located in RI. It still has my e-locker in it and rear disk brakes on it. I could have that stuff pulled off in an hour. Pretty sure I put new axle bearings in it too. Come get it. :D
 
Go get Mike's rear axle housing. That's a smokin' deal. Bring it and the e-locker up here. I have a spare set of V6 4.10's you can have for nuthin. We'll swap the gears, bolt it all in. Easy peasy. You only need to buy a setup kit, prolly $150. Oh yeah, some gear lube, gaskets, RTV, few other odds and ends.

Re-gearing an IFS diff is a waste of money. Once you get the e-locker hooked up, you're gonna start looking for a front axle to swap in. It's inevitable. Resistance is futile.
 
Sounds like a plan guys. Thanks for all the input.

Mike: When is a good time to come grab the housing? Is NK North Kingstown, prolly take me an hour and a half or so from cambridge so I can come pretty much anytime this week or weekend in the afternoon. Can e-mail me andredevitt at gmail.com or ring the cell 617-417-2291.

KLF: That sounds great. Be great to have the help of someone who's done this before. Any recommendation on the install kit? Seems like Yukon makes a lot of them, is this the one I need ?

YK T8-B - MASTER KIT,MASTER OVERHAUL KIT,INSTALL,INSTALL KIT,INSTALLATION KIT,KIT,TIMKEN,TIMKEN BEARINGS,HI LUX,HILUX,OVERHAUL KIT,YUKON,TOYOTA,SEAL,DIFFERENTIAL,TOYOTA 8,SHIM,YUKON AXLE,YUKON GEAR - Yukon Master Overhaul Kit for 86 and newer Toyota

Is it best to just get the master overhaul kit [$129] or should I get a different kit?
 
I've used a few Yukon kits, they are fine. I'm not sure if they have one now that is specific to the e-locker, one of the carrier bearings is different (much larger) so I seem to remember I had to buy that bearing from Toyota. I would go to these guys: JTs Parts & Accessories, Justdifferentials.com they are MUD sponsors and very knowledgeable, they do sell a specific kit for e-lockers.

I would also go get an OEM pinion seal, I never use aftermarket seals.

If you think the bearings are OK, then you don't need a full Master kit.

You'll also need a diff gasket, a tube of RTV, if Mike doesn't give you the 2 long studs you'll need those too. Get a pair of those low-profile drain plugs, a couple of new washers. Brake fluid (at least a quart).
 
Too bad this didn't happen last week. I was just up at Mike's. I could have brought the axle to the spring meeting or at least I live about 40 minutes closer.
 
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