98-99 LC...how many had factory rear locker? (1 Viewer)

[geanes]

I've searched and searched and can't find any data here or on the iGoogle on how many in the US were sold with the factory rear locker option. I rarely see them in these parts. Seems every single 98-99 LC I've looked at for the past 2 years did not have the rear locker.

 

[krice118]

@geanes funny you say that. I remember a while back someone else posted "it seems almost 90% of the 98-99s i see do HAVE the rear locker."

sorry I have no real evidence. I recall when I was looking 5 years ago, that it was not hard to find one with the rear locker. MAybethe market really has boomed and most of hte rear locked ones have been bought up?

 

[willbt]

I'm pretty sure every 98-99 LC had the rear locker and the LX's had the LSD. This was because ATRAC wasn't a thing yet. That was my understanding anyway, could be talking out of my ass though...

 

[krice118]

I just did a quick search on Cars.com and out of the first 6 LCs, 5 had the locker and 1 did not. Its not very scientific.......

 

[krice118]

The Rear locker WAS an option and definitely was NOT on 100% of LCs that were brought to the US.

 

[willbt]

Well hot damn, I learned something today.

 

[geanes]

I just did a quick search on Cars.com and out of the first 6 LCs, 5 had the locker and 1 did not. Its not very scientific.......

That's an amazing "strike" rate there. I seriously have looked for years for a locked 98-99 cruiser in TX, CO, NM and AZ and have found no more than maybe 5-6. It got me thinking that it was a pretty rare option. Having said that, I believe US sales for the 98-99 surpassed 32k units (HUGE decline in numbers every year since 2000). Even if 10% had the option, that would mean over 3k had it (more than most single year sales after 06). I figure that people who ordered theirs with the locker knew what they were getting and typically would hold on to them longer meaning less in the used market. LXs in Canada got the rear locker option whereas US LXs came standard with the LSD.

Oh, and the rear locker option was only....get this.....$430!!!!!!!!!! $10 more than the Destination Charge LOL. It was less than the rear AC option, less than the "wood" dash option and just over 1/4 the cost of the leather upgrade.

 

[neilsen100]

@geanes I suspect that since it was an option instead of a model or trim package, there will not be any data to find on the number of LC imported or sold with the rear locker. Those statistics are really only kept when they hit the VIN plate and options generally speaking don't affect the VIN plate.

Anecdotally, when I was looking in CA for a 100 series I found nearly every '98 had the locker. '99 was more hit and miss. The other interesting trend I noticed was LC had 2-4 owners while the LX were more commonly 1-2 owners.

 

[flintknapper]

I'm pretty sure every 98-99 LC had the rear locker and the LX's had the LSD. This was because ATRAC wasn't a thing yet. That was my understanding anyway, could be talking out of my ass though...

Close. You had remembered it backwards. 98-99 LC had a rear locker as an 'option'. The LX's all had LSD standard equipment and yes...ATRAC came along the next model year (2000).

When I was searching for a Land Cruiser (ended up with an LX) a few years ago...I did not find one single vehicle with the optional rear locker. (Texas metroplex markets).

 

[DDabs]

Hilarious that the "wood" dash option is more than a locker!

 

[RandomUser]

I just bought a '98 with a rear locker. Seemed like pretty much every one I saw on Craigslist for those years while researching also had them. I'm in San Diego. They're pretty standard out here it seems.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

@geanes slightly off topic: I had benzeen auto of Sacramento ship me a locked rear axle for $500 delivered at my door. I bought a $200 all inclusive wiring harness from low range off road.
It took me maybe 4 hours to put it on my 98 LX. Have used it a couple of times since then - that in my opinion the most cost effective way to get a rear locker in an LX.

 

[geanes]

@geanes slightly off topic: I had benzeen auto of Sacramento ship me a locked rear axle for $500 delivered at my door. I bought a $200 all inclusive wiring harness from low range off road.
It took me maybe 4 hours to put it on my 98 LX. Have used it a couple of times since then - that in my opinion the most cost effective way to get a rear locker in an LX.

View attachment 2102443

That is exactly what I want to do. Haven't had any luck for the past year + sourcing a locked rear axle.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Used 1999 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY - OEM 42110-60630 For Sale - Benzeen Auto Parts

www.benzeenautoparts.com

This is $500 including shipping with only 120k miles!! Call them and insist on getting a few pictures first. Also, make sure that they include the locker, the locking sensor and the pigtail.