I'm looking at changing gear ratios from 4:10 to 4:56. How hard is it to change the gear in an e-locker from 4:10 to 4:56? I would get a shop to do this most likely. Will eventually go on a 1990 truck with 22re. Does diff lock ecu and wiring transfer from 4runners in the 1996 to 2004 to Tacomas in the same era?
Changing gear ratios
- Thread starter jgranthevagrant
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Swapping gears is straight forward. The axle housing will require a 2-3" notch in order to mate the e-locker differential housing. The easiest way to do this is buy the e-locker gasket, pull your diff and trace the gasket.
You will also need to drill and tap a couple of holes for longer studs.
As far as wiring ... I've done two elockers (FZJ80 in a FJ40, and Taco in a mini). I've never use the Toyota brain and just wired them directly. I think there is a resistor involved to slow the motor down (not sure I used it on my FJ40). Directions are online. There are also directions online involving a bunch of relays. I didn't use those either, and just wired directly.
How hard is it? Well... that's very relative to your skills and available tools. I've done several, I actually have one torn apart in my garage right now, needs new pinion bearings. There's tons of threads and pages written about regearing and installing these. Here's one of the first, I helped install and write this article waaaay back in 2000:
Outdoor Recreation Network - Off-Highway, Jeep, & 4x4 Fun
Wiring can be simple or complicated. I've also never used the factory "brain", but I do have a relay box that I built, it lives under the shelf in the back of my cab. I have no idea where the "urban legend" of the resistor came from, but even the factory ECU didn't have one.
Outdoor Recreation Network - Off-Highway, Jeep, & 4x4 Fun
Wiring can be simple or complicated. I've also never used the factory "brain", but I do have a relay box that I built, it lives under the shelf in the back of my cab. I have no idea where the "urban legend" of the resistor came from, but even the factory ECU didn't have one.
Look up zuk installs and he has at least close to 100 documented gear setups if you want to try to do it yourself.
- Thread starter
- #6
I have to buy the e-locker first. Most of the ones available seem to be 4:10 from 1996 to 2004 Tacos.
- Thread starter
- #8
I was kind of calculating the ARB cost, which looks more than double, unless I ended up with front and rear.
Thanks for the shout out.
The Harrop is a drop-in to OEM non-locker carrier. Very clean install without external actuator assembly - all the parts are inside the axle housing. Install directions and other tech stuff at www.yotalockers.com
Questions? Call me or Georg at Valley Hybrids @orangefj45 - we both own them in our rigs.
Yota e lockers came stock in 4.56 but theyre hard to find. I actually found a bunch of salvaged lockers in B.C. Canada via car-part.com but they were prohibitively expensive to ship to the US. You might find some good deals if youre closer.
If you are fairly mechanically competent and have the time to research a 100 forum threads you can change gears yourself. The tricky part is you need a shop press, a benchtop dial micrometer, some good quality bearing pullers and some in/lb torque wrenches.
As mentioned, the housing will require some cutting, drilling and a tiny bit of welding. Plenty of guides online.
If you are fairly mechanically competent and have the time to research a 100 forum threads you can change gears yourself. The tricky part is you need a shop press, a benchtop dial micrometer, some good quality bearing pullers and some in/lb torque wrenches.
As mentioned, the housing will require some cutting, drilling and a tiny bit of welding. Plenty of guides online.