I bought a cruiser sight unseen, from a member on this board. Once bitten twice shy. Sorry for your deal. Thoroughly check the rest of the cruiser.
Snookered
- Thread starter marinedad
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #22
Quandry
Now that I have the before mentioned LX450 see SNOOKERED thread), there are questions. Should I attempt to find a set of good locker differentials in the Houston area and install them, or just sell this rig and find one already factory equipt? Plus what are the chances of locating one? I'm a little gun-shy at this point. If I decide to install the axles what will I run into concerning wiring harness, relays actuators etc? (I already have the switch, Ha Ha) I have to admit, even though I got screwed on the deal, this is one of the cleanest trucks I've run across. (170K miles, excellent body and interior).
Gee. I miss my FJ60
Now that I have the before mentioned LX450 see SNOOKERED thread), there are questions. Should I attempt to find a set of good locker differentials in the Houston area and install them, or just sell this rig and find one already factory equipt? Plus what are the chances of locating one? I'm a little gun-shy at this point. If I decide to install the axles what will I run into concerning wiring harness, relays actuators etc? (I already have the switch, Ha Ha) I have to admit, even though I got screwed on the deal, this is one of the cleanest trucks I've run across. (170K miles, excellent body and interior).
Gee. I miss my FJ60
Southeast Overland
Get lost! Go explore!
Rwhat said:
Lockers = traction. Selectable lockers = traction on demand. Finding a locked 80 will save you a bunch over installing selectable lockers (ARB, etc), and especially paying someone to install selectable lockers.
marinedad said:Now that I have the before mentioned LX450 see SNOOKERED thread), there are questions. Should I attempt to find a set of good locker differentials in the Houston area and install them, or just sell this rig and find one already factory equipt? Plus what are the chances of locating one? I'm a little gun-shy at this point. If I decide to install the axles what will I run into concerning wiring harness, relays actuators etc? (I already have the switch, Ha Ha) I have to admit, even though I got screwed on the deal, this is one of the cleanest trucks I've run across. (170K miles, excellent body and interior).
If it were me, I'd pursue a refund and look for another truck. I'm confident there are fellow mudders across the country who would help you.
Again, if it were me and I didn't pursue a refund, AND I had to have lockers, I'd sell it and find one with the K294 code that actually has the locking axles. Locking axles are pricey, plus, what's your time worth to install them?
thats sucks. I have a 50 / 50 luck on long distance purchases. A lot of shady ppl out there just caring about themselves.
I kind of went thru this ordeal 3 years ago but mine was with a Lexus dealership. Lexus of Wayzata(Minnesota). I bought a LS430 unseen although I did have a forum member check it out for me and was assured by the manager as well as the person checking it out that the car was MINT. Well after receiving the car (in hawaii) I looked it over and it was mint alright. One owner low mileage car with no undercarriage rust with the Ultra package. When I got it home I climbed under the car to check out the air suspension that is part of the ultra package. All I found was regular coils and no air bags
. I immediately called my salesman and explained to him what I had found and that it was the reason I wanted a Ultra 430. He was unaware of the missing components and assured me he would take care of me. He asked what would it take for me to keep the car instead of shipping it all the way back and I told him just refund me what it would cost to factory equip the air suspension back in the car. He gladly cut me a check for $5,000 the next day and thats when my good deal became a GREAT deal!
Hopefully your dealership will work with you to resolve this and send you a fat check to just add in some ARB's.
Oh btw I was totally fine with the refund since the 5k could now buy me a aftermarket Air Runner suspension which is way better than the stockers when aired out.
. I immediately called my salesman and explained to him what I had found and that it was the reason I wanted a Ultra 430. He was unaware of the missing components and assured me he would take care of me. He asked what would it take for me to keep the car instead of shipping it all the way back and I told him just refund me what it would cost to factory equip the air suspension back in the car. He gladly cut me a check for $5,000 the next day and thats when my good deal became a GREAT deal!Hopefully your dealership will work with you to resolve this and send you a fat check to just add in some ARB's.
Oh btw I was totally fine with the refund since the 5k could now buy me a aftermarket Air Runner suspension which is way better than the stockers when aired out.
Meh, just wondering why people treat a "factory locked" rig like sliced bread. The question to the OP is what is why the heck would you go to these lengths to swap locked axles into this new purchase. Why do YOU need lockers, for the time and money your going to spend, just get a rear aussie and a front ARB and call it a day.
I went through the same thoughts as you when looking for a cruiser and a couple of buddy's did also. I was fortunate to find a locked rig, however the getting them re reared is alot more $$ due to the larger bearings and hard to find carrier bearing shims. Us you have to deal with the actuator motors and the shift collar getting messed up on the rear axle if you wheel it hard. I have only used my front locker a couple times however a auto locker in the rear would be nice so you don't have to try and lock it up before its too late.
Sideways86 on here had the same dilemma. He found a 1 owner dealer serviced rig with 120k, head gasket done,Unlocked. I told him I would rather buy that than a locked rig with no history. He ended up buying that one.
Sorry for my earlier rant. Too many beers last night.
Last edited:
ToyotaDon
I am here
This.
There are several threads detailing missing locker wiring and even some about swapped axles. If the switch and ECM are there, the clicking and blinking will happen, but until an actuator is locked, the light will not turn solid.
What they described to him is exactly what would happen if the vehicle was originally equipped with lockers, then had axles swapped at some point. Putting the vehicle in 4LO, making sure the CDL light came on solid, then turning the dial and driving (possibly in esses) until the lights were solid would be the only sure description of proper operation.