Cost of Toyota factory diff locks? -> Parts and Installation

[whosthecoolguy]

Just wondering what it would cost (ball park) to have diff locks taken out of a crashed unit and installed into a vehicle that never had diff locks? What is your best guess to parts and labor?

Basically, I’m bringing in a ’91 HDJ81 from Japan and the guy I’m working with and I got our wires crossed and now my truck which originally didn’t come with diff locks has them. Toyota did the install over there so I feel good about the work, but I wasn’t ready for the $.

What do you think?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Just wondering what it would cost (ball park) to have diff locks taken out of a crashed unit and installed into a vehicle that never had diff locks? What is your best guess to parts and labor?

Basically, I’m bringing in a ’91 HDJ81 from Japan and the guy I’m working with and I got our wires crossed and now my truck which originally didn’t come with diff locks has them. Toyota did the install over there so I feel good about the work, but I wasn’t ready for the $.

What do you think?

Black text on black background.

Easier to swap axles. CDan did the whole diff swap thing, think it was ~$5k.

 

[cruiserdan]

x2


Reads real well..........

 

[bull]

It can be done either way. The path of least resistence would be finding complete axles with the lockers in them already. They you would have to buy the oem switch and install it.

If you wanted to just swap thirds it would be more labor intensive due to modifications to the housing etc.

 

[whosthecoolguy]

Hmm, I'm at work and can't get the colors to adjust...sorry for the tough read.

 

[whosthecoolguy]

Fixed...thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[Sno bored]

I'm having a shop do this on my truck. Set of OEM locked axels, wiring and magic dial $2500. Labor for install $400. I'm selling my unlocked axels back to them for $800. Total cost to me for a set of OEM locked axels installed $ 2100. I can't wait to be locked up.

 

[Cruiser804]

I'm having a shop do this on my truck. Set of OEM locked axels, wiring and magic dial $2500. Labor for install $400. I'm selling my unlocked axels back to them for $800. Total cost to me for a set of OEM locked axels installed $ 2100. I can't wait to be locked up.

Damn, I wish I could get that deal. I did the rear myself and will be doing the front and I think it cost me that much.

Used rear diff 450.00
Axle, collar, fork 300.00 ish
ECU, dial, bulbs 250.00 ish
Used front Diff 650.00
Rebuild front diff since the rear makes noise and figure better do it now. ???
New front Axle housing 750.00
New OEM wiring harnesses 500.00 ish
Seals, nuts, bolts etc 300.00

I think there is another thread somewhere this is probably more accurate. At this point I can't remember how much I spent on what.

P.S. If I had to do this again I would take Dan's advice and buy new Diffs. With all the uncertainties, time and expense involved with used diffs and actuators it is probably worth it.

 

[teejnut]

Would swapping lock axles be harder on a FJ80 then a FZJ80?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Would swapping lock axles be harder on a FJ80 then a FZJ80?

If you got the locker ECU and wiring, it wouldn't be as bad, but it'd still be a chore. Also factor in new wheels (15" vs. 16").

 

[MB4wd]

How does the factory locker swap compare (reliability to dollar spent) to an aftermarket locker install? I too have an unlocked FZJ80, and am pondering the swap myself.

 

[Doc]

How does the factory locker swap compare (reliability to dollar spent) to an aftermarket locker install? I too have an unlocked FZJ80, and am pondering the swap myself.

I suppose that depends on the style of aftermarket locker chosen. Auto lockers would be a lot cheaper. Selectable lockers (ARB) still would not cost as much as factory retrofit, IIRC.

 

[tech_dog]

Would a dealer be willing to do the swap? Has anyone gotten a price quote?

 

[Hanna Quality]

Inchworm makes a aftermarket wire harness and switch for the electric locker $75 and has front locking diffs for $925

http://www.inchwormgear.com/store/index.php?cPath=25

 

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

And of course consider Air Lockers.

 

[Bear80]

I'm having a shop do this on my truck. Set of OEM locked axels, wiring and magic dial $2500. Labor for install $400. I'm selling my unlocked axels back to them for $800. Total cost to me for a set of OEM locked axels installed $ 2100. I can't wait to be locked up.

Man and to have some consider that cheap....all for "technicially" a $650 factory option, hell the running boards cost more. I wish more US buyers would have insisted on lockers so Toyota USA would have more brought over, along with the winch, sub tank, rear air....I could go on but no use complaining now since I didn't buy mine new.

 

[ginericLC]

I'm having a shop do this on my truck. Set of OEM locked axels, wiring and magic dial $2500. Labor for install $400. I'm selling my unlocked axels back to them for $800. Total cost to me for a set of OEM locked axels installed $ 2100. I can't wait to be locked up.

Do you have to sell them back to them for $800? Or could you sell them to someone else for $800 or more? I only ask because a LR clubmate of mine is looking for some. $800 is cheap for a pair of unlocked axles. I sold an unlocked front 3rd for $450 and could have sold at least 5 more at that price.

I put a complete set of locked axles under my 80 from a rolled 80 I bought. Basically I had to run 5 wires to the rear and everything else was plug and play.