Toyota eLocker install

[WarDamnEagle]

I have looked at all the elocker install threads and it doesn't look that difficult. However, does anyone know of a shop that has done a few of these that I could just send my rear axle to and have them do a turn-key job? Preferably in the Southeast as the 4Runner is in Alabama. I have emailed Inchworm in the meantime to see what they would charge.

My problem is that I want to get this mod done and I'm out of the country at the moment and I'm not sure if my mechanic can (or will) do the work. I don't mind doing the wiring myself upon my return - assuming I can just drive it unlocked in the meantime.

It's on a 1985 4Runner so replacing the rear axle with a V6 doesn't look to be an attractive alternative either. (I'm assuming the elocker would just drop into a V6 or turbo rear.)

I specifically want to install the elocker with 4.56 gears.

Thanks

PS: I sort of asked this question at the bottom of another thread titled "Eaton elocker" but thought a new thread would be better.

 

["N8"]

So as Im not from down south I wouldnt know whom you could get to work on it. But when I did mine moding my 88's axle to fit the e-locker was the easyest part of the whole thing. Took me an hour in the bacement. just a little bit of grinding and welding. A couple of holes drilled and your done.

only problem with what you mentioned was driving it around unlocked.

thing is, when you install it in the axle housing its gotta be locked or the locking forck will stick out too far and will disallow you to insert the gears into the axle housing. now you can manually unlock the diff but its a PITA. and you can just jump 12 volts to a the right terminal to throw it that way but if you go too far you can freeze up the motor.

so my sugestion is to wait till your home and can supervise the whole thing wether your sending the diff out or not. and do it all at once and dont plan on doing half of it at one point and half at another. itll just make more work for yourself if you dont.

also fitting a v6 axle under your truck wouldnt be too ugly infact most people like late model axles to the ones you have on your 85 due to an extra 3 inches of wheel track.

good luck

 

[KLF]

Call Bud at BudBuilt.

http://www.budbuilt.com

He has done several of these installs, and he can probably find you another rear axle housing to do the mods to, so you don't have to ship yours out and have your truck sitting up on jack stands for days or weeks.

You're gonna want to swap the rear axle anyway. The later IFS-era trucks have a slightly wider (by 3") axle, slightly stronger axle shafts, and much better brakes. Very common upgrade.

While you're at it, you can have him send you one of his nifty crossmembers and skidplates.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Call Bud at BudBuilt.

http://www.budbuilt.com

He has done several of these installs, and he can probably find you another rear axle housing to do the mods to, so you don't have to ship yours out and have your truck sitting up on jack stands for days or weeks.

You're gonna want to swap the rear axle anyway. The later IFS-era trucks have a slightly wider (by 3") axle, slightly stronger axle shafts, and much better brakes. Very common upgrade.

While you're at it, you can have him send you one of his nifty crossmembers and skidplates.

Thanks for the information. I will give Bud a call or email.

I just did a search and couldn't find any info on putting the V6 rear under an '84 or '85 truck or 4Runner in this forum. I will do a more extensive search tonight.

That would make the rear track ~3" wider than the front. I'm not sure that I want 55.5" in the front and 58.5" in the rear. Would like to hear opinions from those that have gone that route.

 

[jfz80]

another vote for bud up in Morganton NC. also have you checked/searched the ttora forum? www.ttora.com and your local chapter http://forum.ttora-al.com/

 

[KLF]

I just did a search and couldn't find any info on putting the V6 rear under an '84 or '85 truck or 4Runner in this forum. I will do a more extensive search tonight.

It's really not a big deal. You'll probably have to get wider U-bolts and plates, the perches on the later axles are a little wider. Might as well do a U-bolt flip, although you'll have to do something about the rear shocks if you do this. You'll also need the rear e-brake cable, it's longer on these axles.

That would make the rear track ~3" wider than the front. I'm not sure that I want 55.5" in the front and 58.5" in the rear. Would like to hear opinions from those that have gone that route.

Again, not a big deal. I did it for awhile, I couldn't tell any difference. An option is to swap on IFS wheel hubs in the front, this will widen your track in the front to almost match. It requires a special spacer to get the rotors bolted to the hub, you can get these from Sky Manufacturing. Look for his "Solid Axle Widening Kit"

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/