Differential options for FJ62 - no mechanical lockers

[FJ62INTX]

Hello all,

Thinking about diff options for my 89 FJ62.

I drive mostly highway, with 10% offroad in moderate to sloppy mud and soft dirt trails.

I do not want a mechanical or air locker in the rear of any kind.

What are my best quality/ most affordable options?

please discuss E-locker options and limited slip differential options.

I might do both front and rear, but maybe do an Aussie locker up front so it doesn't affect normal driving in 2wd mode....

I am shying away from air lockers because of added parts needed to run and cost of units plus required compressor and line.

Thanks!

 

[robustbambi]

Lunchbox locker in the front is fine because of part time 4wd. And because of the types of driving you do, it would probably be fine in the rear as well.

Air locker/compressor is still probably going be cheaper than an e locker. And an air compressor can be extremely useful just by itself.

I'm not really sure who makes an e locker for the oem fj62 axle. But there may be some somewhere?

 

[ntsqd]

Didn't some of the 80 series have rear e-lockers? Only such option as far as I know.

"Lunchbox Locker" is still a mechanical locker. Per the OP's request those are off the table of consideration.

 

[FJ62INTX]

I would like an option of using stock Toyota parts retrofitted to the FJ62; if 80 series e-locker will work, I would like that option.

I would only accept the quirks of a lunchbox locker in the front end. I had a power trax unit in a Buick regal a long time ago and HATED how it drove. It would unlock hard around a corner and sling the car over, then lock back up when straight and jerk the car again. Very loud and annoying in the rear driving all the time.

I am not so cheap that I won't spend the money on good parts, but factory quality is usually the best option if it will work in a particular application. Having to run a compressor just to have a heavy duty 4wd seems overcomplicated. I know it is needed for rock crawlers, but mud and loose soil, slick grass wouldn't seem to need such an extreme approach for a daily driver.

 

[Dynosoar]

Use the factory Cable Lockers, if you can find them. They were built and designed for your truck.

Dyno

 

[klinetime574]

I have a Lockright in my rear end. For the money, you cannot beat it. The only time it acts up is when taking 90 degree turns in gear. Which I never did anyway. Changing down for the lower speed, etc. The FJ62 will probably have a different feeling due to the AT.

Really sounds like you may not even need a locker though. Try it for a while without one. I took my 60 open/open with BFG A/T's to a wheeling event. Cold, raining, mud. I had no trouble with hill climbs or keeping up with locked rigs with mud tires.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Lots of threads on this subject. An 80 series e-locker can be fitting in the front with some mods, but not in the rear. E-lockers require wires and motors to activate, are not as strong as ARB and when they fail they can dynamite your diff and leave you stranded. One vendor mentioned in another thread that he sees more e-lockers come to his shop for repairs than ARBs. There are no aftermarket e-lockers for the 60 series, AFAIK. You could look at Eaton Ecked, or whatever it's called, but they sound kinda junky. Cable lockers are the simplest, though not fool proof, but are fairly hard to come by. Aussie locker or lockrights are probably what you should look at, though I'd go ARB.

 

[FJ62INTX]

I love the mechanical simplicity of the cable locker idea.

How much do these run each usually?

Thanks!

 

[Devils Paw 80]

This will give you an idea: https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/467580-60-series-cable-locker-axle-sets.html
Not so simple, are they? Require full floater rear end, different cross member than you have, etc.

 

[ntsqd]

There may be a limited-slip diff that will work for what you need.

FWIW I went with ARB's (sitting here, but not yet installed). I've currently no intent to use their solenoids, or anyone elses. The plan is to use SMC or Festo air switches. Just like a typical toggle switch only air instead of electricity. The only part of the whole ARB plumbing scheme that I don't like and haven't decided on what I consider to be a better idea is the bulkhead fitting at the diff casting. More thinking and research is needed there.

 

[FJ62INTX]

Those cable lockers are Bad-A$$ !!!!

I am going to start searching, as it makes it full floater in the rear also, and very stout.
$4500 for a set, sheesh!!!
Maybe I can find a few sets on good pricing and sell one to pay for the other...

That is an awesome idea with festo switches on the ARB diffs!!!

 

[ntsqd]

Just to be clear, the cable locker diff doesn't make it a FF axle assembly. To do that you need an entirely different axle housing along with wheel hubs & wheel bearings similar to the front wheel hubs & bearings. Axle shafts are also a different critter entirely.

 

[FJ62INTX]

Yes, thanks for that clarification

 

[Elbert]

the only option you have with LSD is the Auburn Pro unit.

for how your drive your truck the LSD may be a good choice.... they are expensive.

 

[FJ62INTX]

Any cruiser vendors sell these Auburn pro units?

I have used them with old muscle cars, but, being this is the first 4x4 I have ever owned, I never sold or used one for daily driver 4wd's.

I must admit that I am a closet JDM-part junkie.... Finding some complete cable locker housings for a good price would be really awesome....

An auburn rear and Aussie locker front would probably do all I need....

 

[Elbert]

I bought the ones I had from 4wheel parts (Auburn LSD)

I'll be the first to say it...or maybe the last... lockers are the solution for off-road...without exception, everything else is something less. Selectable lockers are probably the best (pick your flavor and $$).

I think all of us would like to have OEM cable actuated lockers...

for snow and street driving, and light mud holes where you need wheel spin to move....LSD is good or at least worth having.

There are a number of threads about lockers, LSD, who what where..etc..

If I were to install again from point zero I would have ARB..

 

[jozlod]

I don't know how different it is in australia, but I use a factory LSD in rear and the front of mine. (pretty sure they're factory LSD in the rear, and front and rear centres are the same.
Rear has being rebuilt with new bearings, and shimmed up, it's quite tight, but will let me turn corners normally. The front is due for a rebuild / shim, but I'll do that when I do the front hub rebuild.

My rear is FF, I think that is the normal for aussie. I had an auto locker in the rear, but it was abit average for daily driving.

If I get any problems from my LSDs, I'll be going ARB air lockers for sure.
It came with front LSD, and I got the other LSD centre for about $180 I think it was on ebay here.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

It appears to me that Auburn only has their Pro series LSD for our trucks, and not the high performance diff with the lower 2.5 bias. The pro series has a high bias, 3.5, which would not be great for winter driving conditions. However, it would be very good for your stated driving conditions.

 

[R.E.M.]

I have a set of Eaton Gov locks front and rear that some PO installed. The rear acts completely open with no function of limited slip at all. The front must still be in good condition with low miles because with the hubs locked it is more difficult to steer.

I initially thought the front had a locker because it passed the "static" test. Meaning t-case in neutral, hubs locked and one tire off the ground the floating tire wouldn't spin. However, on the trail and rocks it would let the low traction tire spin.

All that to say that I wouldn't spend any of my money on a limited slip, front or rear.

 

[rcmccars]

just get a rear axle out of an 80 cut off all the brackets and weld on spring perches. e-locker and disk brakes in an afternoon. only draw back is the 80 axle is 5" wider wms to wms and the diff is less offset. but even though it changes the drive line angle myself and others have had no vibration problems at speed. you could even do the front as well to get the e-locker. you would also have to go to 16" rims to clear the brakes.