Swapping in factory locking diffs... feasible timewise?

[LandyLover]

I want to get a cruiser with low miles but finding it with lockers is pretty tough.

Q1) How easy would it be to take the locking diffs I have in my current 80 and retrofit them into a factory non-locked cruiser wit low miles. This question pertains more to the wiring and electronics.

Q2) How much do I diminish the value of my current cruiser if I swap out the locking diffs?

Q3) For a guy that doesnt have tons of extra time is it better to just wait for "THE crusier" to pop up?

My timeline is this summer because Ive got the time off, so I cant wait forever. Plus Im getting impatient.


Cheers all.

 

[FirstToy]

Why not just put a couple ARB lockers in? Strong and reliable plus uber quick engagement.
Buy the cleanest 80 you can find, pop in the ARB's and don't look back!

 

[ginericLC]

It isn't bad. You'll need to grab the computer out the PS kick panel. Under the dash the wiring is there. Then unclip the front harness and rear harness. I ran the 5 wires seperate from the DS front to the rear DS 1/4 panel instead of swapping harnesses. It wasn't too hard to do. Look under Boston Mangler locker retrofit. He described it quite well. If it were me I would swap the entire axle assemblies as this is a lot easier. Maybe a full days job to swap both? But then you still have the higher mileage axles, bearings, brakes, etc... How many miles do you have that you are looking to sell to get a lower mileage one? Personally, I'm driving a 94 with 213k. I wouldn't trade it for a less mileage one unless I could get one with less than 90k. I know the history and know what mantainence has been done. I feel confident driving it. I wouldn't feel as confident in an unknown rig with say 120 or 140k.

 

[LandyLover]

My rig has 150K. But Im POed about the fact that my DS seat is falling apart and Ive had it stitched 3 times over 1 year. The leather needs to be replaced. The clock spring needs to be replaced because its making that annoying noise, even in 35 degree (celsius) weather. Just a bunch of small annoying things that are getting under my skin. My rationale is that there is low mielage (like 60K) there is little chance of these things failing.

I would have no issue putting in 150K axles in a low mile cruiser. I just dont have a lot of time or space to do it, but if it was plug and play, I'd go through the hassle.

Thanks for getting back...

 

[medtro]

Q2) How much do I diminish the value of my current cruiser if I swap out the locking diffs?

I am going to guess nothing because all the gurus here say factory lockers cost nothing.

 

[Capocaccia]

Well also from a bunch of the tech heads around here, I have heard that the best thing to do is to kep looking for a cruiser with the diffs already in it because its not exactly cheap to put them in yourself.

 

[Vitesse_6]

I would say swaping axles would be very easy, Possible 2 hours each*, I wouldnt swap thirds, Like generic said get the electrical out.
I am going to go with ARB once the money falls into my lap......
Why not get a good DS seat from another 80?
Oh and the wait could be a LOOooooong time or you could dish out alot of $$$


* pending on skill, tool's and luck

Good luck

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

It is not that hard. It is a lot of fun swapping from non lock to lock 80. Make sure you have all the wirings, ecu, switch and the short wiring from the rear axle to the left rear quarter panel. This has been discussed many times. Do a search.