What are your opinions about front end lockers for a mini? I just want a locker for my front end, I really never use 4 wheel drive unless wheeling, but I want to increase my trucks capabilities. Any opinions on which locker to use in the front end of my mini? I saw the aussie lockers are the cheapest, but are they as good as they are cracked upto be, if not what other lockers are there that are reliable and reasonable? Thanks
Aussie lockers for Front end '89 mini?
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Do you already have a locker in the rear? what size tire are you running? I don't like to lock the front of the IFS trucks and 4runners, the componets are weak and don't take too well unless they are upgraded. A locker in the front if there is already there will only get you 5% more places but usally those bring body damage. The Aussie Locker seems to work as well as any lockright, ezlocker. The locker is strong but the carrier is weak.
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I have 31 inch tires and no lift, open diffs front and rear. I go to school in ND. I'm wheeling at least twice a month in the winter, at school thats just snow, and when it warms up alot more time is spent out camping and wheeling. If I were to put a locker in the rear, I would want a selectable, because the roads are always covered in snow and ice. Any suggestions on reliable and reasonable priced selectable rear lockers?
Find a Taco e-locker, that is your best luck for cheap 300-500. ARB will run about 750 for the locker 250 for the compressor. In the snow and ice I didn't find a great driveability problem with my lockright, I did have to adjust my driving style though. But I perfer 2wd in the snow.
front locker with 31" tires should not break much but you will benifit from a rear locker more.
front locker with 31" tires should not break much but you will benifit from a rear locker more.
Cube Dweller
Moderator
I have a truetrac by Detroit in the front of my 91 runner and it works well. No broken CV's yet, running 33's w/ 4.88's. It DEFINITELY makes a difference.
If you can find a taco elocker for $500 it's a steal. I have one in mine and it is very nice.
If you can find a taco elocker for $500 it's a steal. I have one in mine and it is very nice.
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Is there any mods you have to do with the housing for the e-locker or is it a drop in job? Is it a weekend job? The reason I thought about a front locker before the rear is because I also prefer 2wd in the snow, I don't want a full time locker in the rear and I figured a rear selectable would be too spendy. I didn't know you could find an e-locker for that price, I'll probably start looking for an e-locker now, it will probably take me awhile to find it in ND.
Will any four runner or tacoma or taco prerunner e-locker fit into the minis rear diff? Stupid question probably but: if the rear locker has 4.11 gears and the front end doesn't would I have to switch the fronts gears out to match the rear?
Thanks for your feedback
Will any four runner or tacoma or taco prerunner e-locker fit into the minis rear diff? Stupid question probably but: if the rear locker has 4.11 gears and the front end doesn't would I have to switch the fronts gears out to match the rear?
Thanks for your feedback
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If your truck is not a full time 4WD and you have manual locking hubs in your wheels then you can put in the Aussie in your front end. You will be fine. Assuming you have a rear locker. I know a few 4Runners and Heeps that have done this and they are very happy, capable and trouble free on road. Aussie is a very simple locker therefore it is theoritically impossible to break it. I had never heard of any one breaking one. I'd go for it.
Cube Dweller
Moderator
If you are a decent fabricator and have access to a welder, 4" angle grinder, and metric taps it can be done in a weekend.
http://67.122.16.97/carterman/4runner/mods/locker/
It's possible, but rare to find an elocker that cheap. If you don't want to build your own harness you can buy one from inchworm.
I would also check the toyota section of pirate4x4.com. Don't post, search and read the FAQ's. They are far less tolerant of posts done w/out previous searching.
Riad, his truck is an '89, so it's not full time AWD. It could be ADD, in which case I would convert the drive flanges to disconnects and loook around for a cheap, non ADD dif assembly.
http://67.122.16.97/carterman/4runner/mods/locker/
It's possible, but rare to find an elocker that cheap. If you don't want to build your own harness you can buy one from inchworm.
I would also check the toyota section of pirate4x4.com. Don't post, search and read the FAQ's. They are far less tolerant of posts done w/out previous searching.
Riad, his truck is an '89, so it's not full time AWD. It could be ADD, in which case I would convert the drive flanges to disconnects and loook around for a cheap, non ADD dif assembly.
Being a super noob, I offer this, for your amusement....
![url]](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2F%5Burl%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fhome.comcast.net%2F%7Edanglinfury%2FJeeps...heh.jpg%5B%2Furl%5D&hash=510f43ccb815c13dcd5745bcfc7f39e1)
Truth is I was stuck there first. My ol 89 truck fitted with mud terrains didn't get the job done. This site and all you guys are a great resorce and I *snickers* found the cheerleaders too!
I am getting an Aussie up front, and feel the need to upgrade front axels as well. I am thinking of Downey out here in California (if they answer the phone). Any other good suppliers out there?
Truth is I was stuck there first. My ol 89 truck fitted with mud terrains didn't get the job done. This site and all you guys are a great resorce and I *snickers* found the cheerleaders too!
I am getting an Aussie up front, and feel the need to upgrade front axels as well. I am thinking of Downey out here in California (if they answer the phone). Any other good suppliers out there?
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If you drive in the snow on the street and use 4wd, I would recommend not putting an auto locker in the front (or rear for that matter). Driving with an autolocker in the front on slick roads can exciting (for you as well as other drivers) 
Unlocking a hub, as mentioned before would help with that, but will leave you with only 3 wheel drive.
I ran Aussies f/r on my 83 (not my daily driver) for a couple of years with no problems (stock axles & birfs). With the IFS, I would recommend adding a twin-stick to enable 2wd low range, which would help prolong the life of the front cv's.
Unlocking a hub, as mentioned before would help with that, but will leave you with only 3 wheel drive.I ran Aussies f/r on my 83 (not my daily driver) for a couple of years with no problems (stock axles & birfs). With the IFS, I would recommend adding a twin-stick to enable 2wd low range, which would help prolong the life of the front cv's.
Bear80 said:Downey.............
It's in your favor that they aren't answering the phone.....shop else where.
I have never done buisness there. Do they have bum parts? Bad sevice (I get that impression)? They do have tons of information in thier catalog all be it "ol school"...odd fire buick V6 swap? WTF?
Thats just twisted!
Most of my junk on my mini is from Downey. Thier service isn't great, but the catalog is fun to look at. I just think there is better stuff from either All Pro, or Marlin Crawler. Downey makes a wide range of stuff which for the most part is pretty good. Just don't buy their leaf springs! Oh and from what I've heard Northwest off-road is a bad place to shop.
