How many triple locked 100's here? (1 Viewer)

[Adventure Teq]

Triple locked here on the 100. After years and years, running 315's under geared with stock gears, I finally switched to 4.88's for the sake of towing my RV this past summer, and whilst I was at it I had Cruiser Outfitters set up the ARB's in both diffs. Have only needed to use them once, and played around with them a few times, but plan on getting into a lot more spots to use em. As far as ATRAC, I did witness the 200's capabilities, with open diffs, to get us out of a nearly buried in loose dry river bed silty sand situation. Fortunately Dave had Will stop before we were completely buried, he then activated the smart whatever the hell it's called, and she just crept her way right on out! It was total magic!

So sand, snow, mud, ATRAC maybe is wonderful. Climbing into or out of things that a locked axle can get you through might still be best, or better. I'm a locked diff newb, so take it for what it's worth. For me, the confidence that I can have full traction at the turn of a knob, instead of hoping the magic box is smart enough to figure it out, gives me full confidence to go just about anywhere. So it's worth it to me to have them installed. But it also took me about 13 years of driving this truck before I could swallow the cost!

 

[TahoeSlice]

My understanding is that one of the “practical” reasons for triple locking earlier model 100s would be to replace the weak 2 pinion front diff. I’m not interested in having it break somewhere remote, and especially if I’m alone.

If you’re going to regear (I’m on 33’s in mountainous terrain) this is the time to do it.

If you regear, you’ll be removing the rear diff anyway to do so. So while you’re in there, might as well add a rear locker if not already equipped from the factory.

Added bonus of adding an air locker is you’ll have on-board air for airing up tires once off the trail. I have the air compressor installed and both front and rear lockers (TJM) ready to be installed along with a 4.88 regear kit from Nitro.

Unfortunately I spent all my money on the parts, and don’t feel comfortable regearing it myself, so now have to wait a little longer til I can afford the labor

Prime example of how “while you’re in there” can get expensive fast. But at least the benefits are undeniable.

 

[Jerzywerzy5]

Regear is not necessary on the 5 speed unless you plan on running 35s. Even then, it’s pretty high. If you’re paying for the work, cruiseroutfitters is drastically cheaper than other installers.

 

[Skidoo]

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Unfortunately I spent all my money on the parts, and don’t feel comfortable regearing it myself, so now have to wait a little longer til I can afford the labor

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You going to have Zuk do the install? A friend found a lot of shops will only do installs if they source the parts.

 

[TahoeSlice]

Regear is not necessary on the 5 speed unless you plan on running 35s. Even then, it’s pretty high. If you’re paying for the work, cruiseroutfitters is drastically cheaper than other installers.

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll reach out to them as soon as I’m ready to have the work done, hopefully sooner than later!

I don’t have the 5 speed, unfortunately. Also planning to go to 35s in a couple years, once I’ve worn out the new 33s. So in my case it makes sense, but good info for those with the 5 speed and 31s or 33s who may be on the fence.

 

[TahoeSlice]

You going to have Zuk do the install? A friend found a lot of shops will only do installs if they source the parts.

Sounds like I have a couple solid options between Kurt and Zuk, luckily both are within driving distance (and will give me an excuse to wheel somewhere new), and will likely come down to who is available to do the work when the time comes. Thanks for helping to point me in the right direction!

 

[Skidoo]

Sounds like I have a couple solid options between Kurt and Zuk, luckily both are within driving distance (and will give me an excuse to wheel somewhere new), and will likely come down to who is available to do the work when the time comes. Thanks for helping to point me in the right direction!

I don't know if Zuk does full installs, thought folks send him the 3rds and he does his magic. Know Kurt does the whole thing.

 

[thebeedeegee]

If we get this last stimulus check I may be stimulating the economy by purchasing a Harrop for the front and then I'll be a triple locked cool kid.

Probably keep stock gearing and install myself. I could spend the money on preventative maintenance but that's boring, man.

 

[Adventure Teq]

Sounds like I have a couple solid options between Kurt and Zuk, luckily both are within driving distance (and will give me an excuse to wheel somewhere new), and will likely come down to who is available to do the work when the time comes. Thanks for helping to point me in the right direction!

Kurt will likely need your diffs for a few days. So Cruiser Outfitters gives you the option to have them setup cores that they have on hand, then you just exchange them for yours when you pick them up, for an additional small fee (around $150 more per diff iirc). Either way, its still a day or two job on your end doing the install. Not generally something you can swap out in the parking lot. But if your plans were to leave it with them for a few days and then get to wheeling some new trails to and from then that sounds like a great time!

 

[CruiserShel]

I just did my front locker. Will do back sometime soon for the full triple lock. I guess with LSD rear I am at like 2.5 locked right now.

I did it myself. First time doing diff work. Went smooth, was a fun learning process. Now that I invested the time to learn and research, plus bought a press and bearing splitter, now I want to do more diffs. Rear is next, then maybe my FJ43.

 

[OwnerCS]

I just did my front locker. Will do back sometime soon for the full triple lock. I guess with LSD rear I am at like 2.5 locked right now.

I did it myself. First time doing diff work. Went smooth, was a fun learning process. Now that I invested the time to learn and research, plus bought a press and bearing splitter, now I want to do more diffs. Rear is next, then maybe my FJ43.

Congrats! The last time I went through a big mud hole, my LSD was still working. I will eventually replace the rear. Just have so many other items to do with a higher priority.

 

[thebeedeegee]

I just did my front locker. Will do back sometime soon for the full triple lock. I guess with LSD rear I am at like 2.5 locked right now.

I did it myself. First time doing diff work. Went smooth, was a fun learning process. Now that I invested the time to learn and research, plus bought a press and bearing splitter, now I want to do more diffs. Rear is next, then maybe my FJ43.

Nice! I'm planning to do it myself as well, but will probably take the carrier into a machine shop to have the bearings pressed on. I'm thinking I can do the rest with what I already have, and what I bought to install my rear auto locker.

Did you re-gear or stay stock? Did you recheck the gear pattern or just back lash?

 

[MongooseGA]

4.88s and a 5 speed here. For those wondering if regearing is necessary, I'd suggest not unless you're running 34-35" tires. I have 34". The difference was not drastic and the truck still downshifts on some longer but slight inclines. I know @sammybones felt a big difference in his truck with 4.88s on 33s though. My biggest plus is the extra low down torque in low range on trails. That's pretty nice and letting the truck crawl down a hill in first gear is much nicer than the stock gearing.

I'm not mad I had the gears done, but I'd have been better off buying Bitcoin or guns with the same money in July.

 

[CruiserShel]

Nice! I'm planning to do it myself as well, but will probably take the carrier into a machine shop to have the bearings pressed on. I'm thinking I can do the rest with what I already have, and what I bought to install my rear auto locker.

Did you re-gear or stay stock? Did you recheck the gear pattern or just back lash?

I stayed stock. running 33's. I really only did it because I grenaded my front diff on Yankee Hill near Blackhawk in Colorado. And by "my" front diff I really mean my wife's, since it's her daily driver. I had to replace the gears, so a locker was logical while I was in there. Now that it's double locked, triple locking it logically follows. And my wife is on board, so why not, right?

 

[CruiserShel]

For additional info, I went with the Eaton ELocker with an OEM 80 series dash switch.

I know there is an old youtube review of how horrible the elocker is, but personally I think that guy is full of crap. And him screaming "locka!" over and over in the videos is beyond irritating. The newer design seems to have overcome the earlier concerns. As far as having to roll a little before it fully engages, that's fine. It isn't a purpose built rock crawling buggy, it's a 100 series that I use for family overland fun and old mining roads in Colorado. You should be engaging your lockers as you approach the obstacle anyway.

Also, for anyone just diving in to the topic, the Harrop is the Australian version of an Eaton ELocker. I bought the Eaton.

 

[sammybones]

My truck accelerates like a Tesla now. #suckitGA

 

[chuckscap]

For additional info, I went with the Eaton ELocker with an OEM 80 series dash switch.

I know there is an old youtube review of how horrible the elocker is, but personally I think that guy is full of crap. And him screaming "locka!" over and over in the videos is beyond irritating. The newer design seems to have overcome the earlier concerns. As far as having to roll a little before it fully engages, that's fine. It isn't a purpose built rock crawling buggy, it's a 100 series that I use for family overland fun and old mining roads in Colorado. You should be engaging your lockers as you approach the obstacle anyway.

Also, for anyone just diving in to the topic, the Harrop is the Australian version of an Eaton ELocker. I bought the Eaton.

Good to hear. I 'm thinking about an Eaton Elocker for tyhe rear on my 2000 LX470, maybe eventually on the front as well.

 

[dividedan]

Triple locked with Harrops front and rear in an 03 5 speed. I wish the PO had re-geared while he was doing the work as it would have helped in the hills here. I absolutely love it, use both lockers when I wheel which isn’t that often unfortunately more of a camping rig. The lockers have gotten me places that a stock 100 wouldn’t have been for sure. No experience with using front only as they are wired through a stock switch from an 80.

 

[Adventure Teq]

As pertaining to 80 series factory switch. Here's how I did mine on the 2000 100. Not the best vid, but covers the gist of it.

 

[trdcorolla]

For those running the 80's switch and don't have the front/rear locked indicators on the gauge cluster or have them but don't have them wired up, did any of you add any LED indicators to visually alert/show you that they are activated?

I was thinking of adding these 2 lights to the blank switch panel on top of the 80's knob during the install.

Similar to this (not sure what this user used the 2 lights for)

https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/image-png.1379322/

Amazon product ASIN B08JPHGYM5Amazon product ASIN B08JPC3MHF

I would have the first link (the R indicator) light up when RR is selected (R for rear) and have the second link (the 2 indicator) light up when FR-RR is selected (2 for both lockers, and request a red LED instead of green). They said they won't make a RR or FR-RR lights unless there is demand, because they would have to order 50-100 to make it worth their while. Is a red indicator light easier to see during the day than green?

I see CH4X4 has a new dual locker switch (Lightforce also has a custom dual switch available in horizontal too, which i'm assuming has similar wiring behind it).

CH4x4 Dual Push Switch for Toyota – Front & Rear Lock Symbol – CH4X4 Industries

www.ch4x4.com

Custom Switches

But i'm trying to prevent accidental activation, hence leaning towards the 80's knob. It looks like the wiring for the dual switches doesn't allow control of just the LED's so I can't use it as a indicator only with the switch part disabled. I would love to use that and wire the Rear Locker illumination for the RR option and wire both Front and Rear Locker illumination when FR-RR is selected.

Any other locker indicator light suggestions/comments?