Installing rear locker in 99 LX470 (1 Viewer)

[thebeedeegee]

How hard would it be to drop the rear diff and put in an ARB locker myself? What tools would I need to set the backlash? I've never done anything with differentials, but I think I'm fairly mechanically inclined.

I got a quote from slee if I shipped my diff to them for installation, but I'd really rather do it myself and save some money if it's not hard for a home mechanic to get done.

Also, would you do the front or the rear?

 

[3_puppies]

LX? doesn't the LX have a LSD already?

 

[suprarx7nut]

How hard would it be to drop the rear diff and put in an ARB locker myself? What tools would I need to set the backlash? I've never done anything with differentials, but I think I'm fairly mechanically inclined.

I got a quote from slee if I shipped my diff to them for installation, but I'd really rather do it myself and save some money if it's not hard for a home mechanic to get done.

Also, would you do the front or the rear?

I don't think it's "hard" necessarily, but it's on the upper end of DIY stuff. Getting the gear mesh just right is important. I'm a pretty hardcore DIY-er, but I'd be tempted to just let Slee handle that since I'm local. If you have to ship it, maybe that makes the DIY approach more appealing.

Do the rear first, for sure.

 

[DTCsk8er]

Visit Zuk's website, and study it for many many hours until you decide if you'd like to take it on yourself.

Toyota Gear Install Harrop

I've done a handful of diff installs, including lockers. Toyotas are much simpler than many of the other (not modular) makes of vehicles. Since the ARB locker comes with it's own carrier, you will have to follow the required steps as if it was a fresh gear install. Sometimes getting clear patterns on used gears is difficult (see zuk's site for this), so keep that in mind. Also, the tools are somewhat expensive to invest in if you only plan on doing it once; his site also has a list of the tools required for diff work.

 

[cmck]

Having plenty of the shims in hand will save time in ordering them and waiting. The new carrier will need different shims than the original.

I would do rear the diff 1st as it most used. Having front and rear is also awesome if you move up the off road difficulty scale. If you don’t it’s extra $, time, complexity and weight.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

I concur with @DTCsk8er - If you're only going to do this once, then you're probably better off paying someone else to do it. If you plan on doing it 3 times or more, then go ahead and acquire the tools and give it hell. Pulling and pressing bearings, setting backlash, etc. can be quite the timesuck, though...

 

[I Lean]

Having plenty of the shims in hand will save time in ordering them and waiting. The new carrier will need different shims than the original.

I would do rear the diff 1st as it most used. Having front and rear is also awesome if you move up the off road difficulty scale. If you don’t it’s extra $, time, complexity and weight.

There will be no shims for this job. The pinion will not need to be touched at all, and the carrier is adjusted via the spanner nuts.