Lj78 rear axle question...

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Jarrat

Jarrat

10 Year
Joined
Mar 28, 2015
Threads
15
Messages
180
Location
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
I'm interest in doing a e-locker from a 4 gen 4runner... is this a direct swap other than the gearing? I'm talking about swapping the third member and changing the gearing and putting in a switch so I can have a rear locker in my lj78 or is there more to it?


If not, what other axles from north American toyotas are swappable that have e-lockers that will work with my LJ?
 
Going from dim memory here as I looked into the Toyota e-lockers myself years back, but I think the e-locker axle housings were slightly different around the diff mount flange area. Probably nothing a good man on a grinder+welder couldn't sort out but maybe look up some parts diagrams to check.

Cheers
Clint
 
I have a link at work for a Russian guy who put an 80 series front e-locker into his LJ78. He did a very nice job of it with lots of pictures. I'll post the link tomorrow, because I suspect it might be very similar for the rear axle of the LJ78. I think he just had to drill two holes, and grind a little bit out of one side of the axle housing. I'm hoping to do this one day if I can find an 80 series front e-locker.

Look up the rear axle housing in Toyo-DIY and see if it is different for the locked vs. not locked versions of the LJ78. Also, I can take pictures of my rear e-locker setup so you can compare to your housing, and 4Runner e-locker third members.

By the way, it really is a worth while modification. Rear locker is like going into 4wd all over again. Amazing where these trucks will go. And contrary to what some may say, I feel the e-locker has advantages over mechanical or air type. So nice to have such easy control over it.
 
Also, why are you looking at a 4th gen e-locker? 3rd gen might be easier to find and more compatible as it is closer in year?
 
Yeah... 3rd gen makes more sense. I was just told there was a 4th gen runner e-locker at our local wreckers.

Still interested in that link though..

Still gonna do more research on this whole subject.
 
I did a pile of internet research on lj78 diffs when i wore out my crown wheel and pinion - mostly is seemed to contradict itself.
This website: Erik's Toyota Differential info suggests that you might be in luck. Annoyingly a pile of the links no longer work.

Although i suspect running down to the local arb affiliated diff place might be easier.

As near as I can tell the LJ78 OEM rear locked version is a special. The old diff bloke i took mine to had never seen one like it, which was sufficiently surprising that he rang around the other diff blokes in town to see if they had seen one. He said it had a different offset / was thicker than anything else he'd seen.
 
Jarrat said:
Yeah... 3rd gen makes more sense. I was just told there was a 4th gen runner e-locker at our local wreckers.

Still interested in that link though..

Still gonna do more research on this whole subject.
Click to expand...

Here is the Russian link for the front locker install. Переборка переднего моста TLC78. Часть 4. Установка редуктора с электроблокировкой. You can use google to translate by entering the url here: Google Translate Web - iTools

Those guys love their LJ78/70's by the way. Just go type 'TLC 78' into youtube or google and watch what they do. They modify them far more than we do here.

You could also consider calling Barry at JDM Parts (he's in Armstrong BC): J Cruisers JDM Parts and Vehicles for Sale in BC Canada He has some parts Prado's I believe. He might be able to send you the locker and dash/computer/switch etc. if you want the whole deal. He's a great guy.
 
I have retro fitted an elocker into my Prado. (KZJ78) I originally had swapped my factory diffs for 4.88 units from an LJ78.
When I tried to swap in the e-locker I needed to swap the ring and pinion to retain the correct ratio. The ring wouldn't fit correctly. it was too thin for the elocker. Turns out the factory 4.88 ring is an odd ball unit. Ended up buying a std 4.88 ring and pinion from the States.
I also had to modify the std diff housing to accept the new e locker diff. It has a different flange shape to accommodate the locking ring.
Attached is a pdf I made up to document what I did. There is plenty of info regarding do the swap into other toyota diffs.
 

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