2nd Gen Runners 3rd gen Trucks: Rear Differential Traction Aids. Your thoughts?

[Obi..]

*Please..This topic is for the 4Runners and Trucks from 1989-1995 only.
(*FYI-You/We can start another thread for the 1st Gen Runners and 1st-2nd gen Trucks if you want.)

ARB Air Locker..

Aussie Locker..

Eaton Locker (*AKA Detroit Locker)..

"Lincoln" Locker :angel: Yes, it is an option just like..

Spooled..

Since I've always wheeled w/ either 2wd and a locker or 4wd and locked rear I would like to hear your thoughts and opinion as well as experience w/ rear differential traction aids. I know lately I have been running a "Farmer's Locker" and am thinking more and more about locking the rear of my 4Runner.

Here's the thing..

4Runners..

Well, the swaybar's your biggest hurdle, it will hit the actuator/motor assembly.

If you were to use an Air Locker w/ the 2nd gen 4Runer, you keep pretty much all the same and can add in swaybar disconncets and limiting straps to get a little better articulation out of your system without accidentally losing your coil springs.

If you were to go with an e-locker (such as a TRD) you will need to either loose or modify the system to work. After looking at how someone made brackets to keep their swaybar setup, I am not too pleased with the resulting change in handling nor the interference issues that can arise.

Trucks..
:angel: You can pretty much run whatever you want as the leaf spring setup lets you do this.


The important stuff to make sure to add in as I might convert this over into the Wiki..

2wd or 4wd?
Tire Size?
Lift? Amount?
Suspension Type? Leaf Spring or Linked?
Automatic or Manual Transmission?
Transfercase-ChainDriven or Geared?
Gearing Ratio?
Amount Spent? (Expected to spend based on current prices w/ labor)

Thanks everyone!

[Scuba]

Ive heard rave things about the aussie..
http://www.yotatech.com/f105/aussie-locker-review-143163/

I dont have any experience with in in a vehicle, but i have experienced ordering, opening, and then selling one..hehe.

[Obi..]

Ive heard rave things about the aussie..
http://www.yotatech.com/f105/aussie-locker-review-143163/

I dont have any experience with in in a vehicle, but i have experienced ordering, opening, and then selling one..hehe.

Me also, more so after talking w/ Marlin and Mike, Zuk, and a few other friends. re: http://www.gearinstalls.com/

I almost thought of trying to see if you still had yours laying around because after talking w/ the above folks and SloSurfer, I found out about the necessary removal or mod of the swaybar which is leading me back to the Aussie or an ARB.

For everyone else, FWIW, if you don't get the hint/joke above...A "Farmer's Locker" is your e-brake.
To steer sharply/u-turn tight or traction lock any tractor, you use one of two e-brake handles. The issue with this method is you can more readily tear off your driver's side motor mount as I did last month. This time around, I hit sections faster, carryng momentum or just carefully rolled back out and into the section, either way, not the best method as you also run the risk of blowing a ring-pinion or blowing an axle, not to mention the automatics don't love the added strain and heat generated. I made it out of sections, but at the expense of smacking my hitch and sliders more.

[CJM]

I keep hearing about the powertrax no slip being an excellent on road mannered locker and awesome offroad. I been dying to find someone with one so i could hear more but no one seems to have one.

I have hear the aussies worth it tho, so far.

[slosurfer]

ONly thing with the aussie locker is that most 2nd gen 4runners are v6 and there is no aussie for the v6 rear locker. I'm diggin' mine in the front though. :thumbup:

No need for running limiting straps to keep your coils on a 2nd gen, unless you have removed the stock bumpstop. You would have to break a couple links and a shock to be able to droop far enough wheeling to shoot out a coil. The stock bumpstop comes down so far and is shaped in such a way that it is very hard to get that coil in and out.

Handling with no swaybars front and rear isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. If I find a loose 3rd gen swaybar laying around, I still might see what it would take to make it fit, but I'm in no rush. I'd take my elocker over my rear swaybar anyday. :laugh:

[Obi..]

Chris, given, but FWIW you also have your Tacoma and the Van, and it seems the 4Runner is no longer a daily driver, correct? I'm not saying I plan on bombing Primm or Walker @ 45mph+ but I have to admit I do miss having a locked differential more and more.

I might find the time to visit Dave'z and bug him a little. I keep coming back to the fact that I know the ARB's really well and have beat on them hard in the past.

re: http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/toyota4Runner.pdf


ARB AIR LOCKER LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS & ACCESSORIES
Year Axle Description Shaft Spline Ratio Part No.
2003-08 Front 8" dia. RG, IFS, 53mm bearing ID 33 (1.31") 30 3.91 & UP RD111
2003-08 8" dia. RG, IFS, 53mm bearing ID 33 (1.31") 30 3.73 & DN RD121
To 2002 8" dia. RG. 10 bolt, live axle 33 (1.31") 30 ALL RD132
To 2002 7.5 dia. RG 10 bolt, IFS 28 (1.1") 27 ALL RD90
1984-88 Rear 4 cylinder, 45mm carrier bearing 33 (1.31") 30 ALL RD132 *1
1988-08 V6, 4WD, 50mm carrier bearing 33 (1.31") 30 ALL RD132 *2
1988-08 V6,2WD, 45mm carrier bearing 33 (1.31") 30 ALL RD132 *1,*2
*1 Late model 50.00mm (1.969") ID bearings must be used with this specific application. (ARB Part No.
160116)

*2 Suits open differential carriers only


~Remembering I've already upgraded to the 4fin 4.56 3rd. IIRC David ("OOP's elsewhere) has been running ARB's for quite a while.

[slosurfer]

Well, it isn't my work vehicle, but it does get driven regularly on the street with my kids in it. I hardly ever drive the tacoma unless we're going somewhere as a family. I actually drive the 4runner more now than I did before because it is easier to drive with it regeared. It holds overdrive much better and works less, so the tranny temp stays much lower. I would have to say there was little to no change in the handling between just having the rear swaybar and having no swaybars. I was really worried about not having the rear on there but was really surprised how little a difference it made with it off.

I would say there was much more of a difference in handling when I removed the front swaybar which has been long gone for years. These things with the automatics aren't speed demons anyways. :laugh: I don't drive like a grandma either (well on the freeway, I stay at the speed limit for gas savings) but I definately "drive" my 4runner and have windy roads all around here. No worries on hopping in it and going anywhere. It's already been on two long trips since the swaybar removal. You could always remove it one day and see how it handles one day.

On the other hand, I don't see a problem with useing ARB for a locker either. It's your DD so obviously a selectable is ideal, so your choice is ARB or elocker. Sounds like ARB might be the way to go for you. I got my newly geared elocker for less than what just an ARB locker will cost, so part of it to me was a cost issue as well. You have the abilities to make your own harness so that will save you some money as well and you don't have to worry about leaks or buying a compressor. I also like the ability that I can lock and unlock it manually if I need to and my electronics went out. With ARB, something quits working and it quits working.

[anthony1]

Here's my setup with Toyota e-locker converted to Downey cable lock and swaybar block.
My truck handle much better with the rear sway bar.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/audiorat1/swaybar%20block/driverside_rear2.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/audiorat1/swaybar%20block/passengerside_rear1.jpg

[Seanz0rz]

fwiw, im putting the sway bars back on my 3rd gen. with my tire now about midline of the body, its very high and introduces alot of roll, i like the offroad flex, but i think id like to enjoy driving it a bit more, since now 95% of the miles on that truck are street.

when i decided to lock my rear, for me there was no other option than an elocker. most people have the arb if they have a selectable. but my experience with running with these people on the trail, the air lines always leak, its always puking diff fluid, etc, etc, etc. its easy to repair a cut electrical line, but repairing a breached air line is very difficult on the trail. i could have gone with any number of different automatic lockers, but the fact is i am very likely to live in a much colder climate in the coming years, especially one with icy roads.

those are the reasons i chose what i chose. might not be the same for you. i dont think you can really go wrong with the typical options, but just do alot of research first. obviously cost will be a huge concern. if you can find a used elocker in the ratio you want, thats your best bet. i sell harnesses for about 130 dollars. an arb is usually around 700, must be professionally installed with the gears of your choice, etc.

[slosurfer]

Anthony, nice! :thumbup: Is that just 2x4 tube? What are you running for rear springs and rear shocks?


Shane, FWIW, my 4runner in its condition now handles the corners better than Vanna. :laugh: I've got a roundabout that I always hit, and I can hit it faster with the 4runner than the van. :spit:

[anthony1]

I just got the OMU 860...I think. It's been a while.
The shocks are Bilstein 5100. the ones without the ext. tube.
the ride is great.

[Crinale]

I am seriously debating this as well, as i have a gen2 with open front and rear... I want an Aussie, and they say they are working to get more v6 Aussie's made... i hope so.

[Seanz0rz]

I am seriously debating this as well, as i have a gen2 with open front and rear... I want an Aussie, and they say they are working to get more v6 Aussie's made... i hope so.


yeah ive been hearing about that "just around the corner" v6 aussie locker for over 3 years now!

[slosurfer]

Kevin, you can get an aussie for the front of yours. The front doesn't matter 4banger or v6 for the aussies. :thumbup:

[anthony1]

It's kinda strange that they would make the locker for the front..7.5 but but the 8" which I think would be more common.

[slosurfer]

I think it has to do with the way the carrier is on the 7.5" and the 4banger 8" compared to the v6 8"

The 7.5" and the 8" 4banger have a really open carrier, while the v6 8" is almost all fully enclosed. For those that want to regear, you can always regear and aussie lock a 4banger 8" for your rear. Then sell your v6 diff.

also, their 7.5" aussie fits the 5 lug 2wd rear ends as well. My van (4wd) has the 5lug rear end and I'm thinking of getting an aussie for the rear of it. :)

[Crinale]

i know they have the aussie's for the front, but i want a rear locker first