Locker or Limited Slip. Is it worth the trouble? (1 Viewer)

[jblatl]

So I need some advise, I have a 1999 LX470 with 118k on the odometer.

I drive this truck to work every day, it sees mild trails 3-4 times a year. I have been reading and it appears that my LX has a limited slip diff in the rear. I have the option to buy a rear axle out of a truck that has a locker, computer, switches and all the wires for $3-400. The Land Cruiser it would come from is a northern truck with 350k on the odometer. Conditions of the actuator is unknown.

How do I confirm my LX has a limited slip and should I consider doing the swap?

Thankful for your advice.

Mark

 

[bucfl]

Who cares just do it! I would love a OEM locker on mine. Imagine, ATRAC and a locker... how sweet would that be?!

 

[Skidoo]

If you are just doing a few mild trails a year, stick with what you have. You know it is working and you don't know the condition of the one you are looking at. The front diff is the weak link on 98 & 99 so maybe save up in case you break that.
I am just back from 100s in the Hills and there were a number of unlocked and even stock rig running trails there.

 

[jblatl]

My LX does not have atrac

 

[abuck99]

Call Brian at ACC and discuss lockers. Very experienced with gear/locker/diff set ups. They can install anything
you want but I'd recommed Harrop E- Locker. It's a simple clean install, no compressor required. Your investment should be around $2k. I would not mess with an axle swap to gain a factory locker, it's not as reliable.

 

[wardharris]

Call Brian at ACC and discuss lockers. Very experienced with gear/locker/diff set ups. They can install anything
you want but I'd recommed Harrop E- Locker. It's a simple clean install, no compressor required. Your investment should be around $2k. I would not mess with an axle swap to gain a factory locker, it's not as reliable.

X2 - call Brian, he knows

 

[bucfl]

Call Brian at ACC and discuss lockers. Very experienced with gear/locker/diff set ups. They can install anything
you want but I'd recommed Harrop E- Locker. It's a simple clean install, no compressor required. Your investment should be around $2k. I would not mess with an axle swap to gain a factory locker, it's not as reliable.

Just curious but why would this be less reliable?

 

[cruisermatt]

Just curious but why would this be less reliable?

The magnetic clutch engagement of the Harrop that is contained completely inside the third member case is theoretically more reliable then a now 16-17 year-old actuator then has been exposed to road grime, salt, water, etc over however many miles.

 

[abuck99]

The magnetic clutch engagement of the Harrop that is contained completely inside the third member case is theoretically more reliable then a now 16-17 year-old actuator then has been exposed to road grime, salt, water, etc over however many miles.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[Kabanstva]

Call Brian at ACC and discuss lockers. Very experienced with gear/locker/diff set ups. They can install anything
you want but I'd recommed Harrop E- Locker. It's a simple clean install, no compressor required. Your investment should be around $2k. I would not mess with an axle swap to gain a factory locker, it's not as reliable.

Any idea (ballpark) what that shop would charge to install front and rear Harrop E Lockers on an 07 LX with ATRAC? I know pricing may vary, etc. just wanted to see roughly how much it costs.

 

[abuck99]

@Kabanstva

Best to call them to confirm. I'm not sure what labor rate they are charging these days. I think if you budget somewhere around $2k (that includes the E locker) you'll be in the ball park.

• You'll have the cost of the locker

• There will be a "set up"charge for setting up the locker into the third (entails removing the ring gear, installing the locker , setting the correct lash, etc) which is the crucial step where experience and the right tools ensure correct long term operation.

• There's also about 4 to 4.5 hrs of labor charged to pull the rear drive axles out and reinstall, bleed brakes etc.

• It's also a good time to replace seals while drive axles are out, that's minimal extra parts cost and minimal labor.

• You'll also have expense of gear fluids to replace

That's about what I recall being involved when they installed my locker.

 

[savirc]

I have this set up. 2001 with ATRAC and a 99 rear locked axle swap. The cost of the swap is only whatever price you pay for the axle and whatever wiring you go with. In my case it was roughly $1,200. Shipping is not cheap for the axle.

Its not difficult to do just heavy to move around its a direct swap with the exception of a mounting bracket for the brake line.

Having said that I've only used the locker for fun not for need. At HIH7 Atrac took care of everything didn't even need to turn on the locker.

 

[bucfl]

I have this set up. 2001 with ATRAC and a 99 rear locked axle swap. The cost of the swap is only whatever price you pay for the axle and whatever wiring you go with. In my case it was roughly $1,200. Shipping is not cheap for the axle.

Its not difficult to do just heavy to move around its a direct swap with the exception of a mounting bracket for the brake line.

Having said that I've only used the locker for fun not for need. At HIH7 Atrac took care of everything didn't even need to turn on the locker.

Hey @savirc would you happen to have a write up? I'm considering this in the future.

 

[savirc]

Hey @savirc would you happen to have a write up? I'm considering this in the future.

Its sort of spread out in my build thread. "aircruiser"

 

[flintknapper]

I have a 1999 LX470 with 118k on the odometer.
I have been reading and it appears that my LX has a limited slip diff in the rear.
How do I confirm my LX has a limited slip and should I consider doing the swap?

Mark

^^^^^^^ All (U.S. Platform) LX's (year models 98-99) came with factory installed LSD. Land Cruisers of the same years had an open rear diff or an 'optional' locker in the rear.

You also have a 2 pinion (instead of 4 pinion) front diff. (open).

 

[bucfl]

Its sort of spread out in my build thread. "aircruiser"

Found it. Thanks. I really like this instead of an ARB.

 

[savirc]

Found it. Thanks. I really like this instead of an ARB.

Its not exactly in order but basically you need to get a harness 12volt guy sells one several others sell them just search for toyota locker harness. Make sure the 99 axle you buy includes the actuator and it is working (very easy to test) that alone is 700 bucks new. The rest is relatively easy.