Aussie Locker - Ease of install?

RiNkY · 12-29-2007, 10:49 AM

I'm no mechanic by any means - but I have replaced Alternators, Leaf Springs, Front Axles, Brakes, Shocks and a Tie Rod end of 2 in my time. Now I'm looking to throw an Aussie Locker in the rear of my 4Runner. How tough a job really is it for your average 'Weekend Mechanic' like they say on their site? Looks a little daunting to me removing the rear carrier etc. But I'm up for a bit of a challenge.

Or - is it best left to the pros?

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ovrrdrive · 12-29-2007, 11:00 AM

I did mine (Lockright) and I'm about the same "mechanic" as you are. On a scale of 1-10 for the weekend warrior, I'd give it an 8. The actual work is more like a 5, but making sure everything is back the way it was before you took it apart makes me give the entire job an 8. If it isn't back the same as it was before you can ruin it.

If you do your homework and read everything you can on Zuk's gear page, mark everything, take your time and do it exactly the way they say to do it in the manual you'll be fine.

hodgepodge79 · 12-29-2007, 09:58 PM

x2 on reading Zuk's pages.

It was fairly easy. Hardest part was getting the cross-pin dowel out. Don't go crazy on the grease to hold parts together as suggested by the instructions.

BLKNBLU · 12-29-2007, 10:13 PM

I think it's a little misleading to say "basic tools" and "home mechanic". It sounds like I'm in the same category with you guys on skill. I did a Lockright but essentially the same procedure. I got it all apart and back together OK, but everything seemed loose and sloppy (and it was) Lucky for me I live 15 minutes from ZUK and I have another car. The issue I had was that the way they tell you to mark the adjusting rings only helps you in one dimension so you don't necessarily get them back exactly where they started from (at least with the lockright instructions) And you don't twist those adjusting rings with "basic tools". That said it isn't undoable. I think I'd be fine next time.

ovrrdrive · 12-30-2007, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLKNBLU

The issue I had was that the way they tell you to mark the adjusting rings only helps you in one dimension so you don't necessarily get them back exactly where they started from (at least with the lockright instructions) And you don't twist those adjusting rings with "basic tools".

That's definitely true...

Lucky for me I had just gotten the 3rd from Zuk that I was installing in to so I knew the caps were over 100 ft lbs. After I finally figured out which thread they needed to be in I just tapped the cap back around to my mark and it's been fine.

By the way, Dad had an engraver on the shelf in his garage and I used that to mark everything. I marked every single piece I took off with the side and position that it came from. It saved my butt a few times too. I think a marker would have worn off of some of the pieces.

And btw, as much as Zuk hates it, I used a hammer and chisel to tighten the ring. I tried to make a tool but couldn't get it right and just tapped it tight. It worked fine but Zuk would get a nice chuckle out of it if he saw it...

RiNkY · 12-30-2007, 06:25 AM

Well it seems I am also within a few miles of the famous Zuk and my Runner is certainly not my daily driver, so I think I'll tackle it myself - then cry for help if needed

Bigblock · 12-30-2007, 06:40 AM

Just do it clean ,dirt kills rear end bearings ,gears, seals.Block it up really good too.We dont want to hear about nobody getting smashed under his 4Runner!

BLKNBLU · 12-30-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiNkY

Well it seems I am also within a few miles of the famous Zuk and my Runner is certainly not my daily driver, so I think I'll tackle it myself - then cry for help if needed

That's perfect. As long as you don't need your truck back in a specific amount of time you should be fine. Good luck. You're gonna love being locked.

seafarinman · 12-30-2007, 03:06 PM

I installed a Lock-Right 1620 (V6) in the rear of my truck a few years back and it was actually easy. When it stopped locking a couple years ago I bought a new set of pins and springs and did it again. Still easy. That said I have never installed a 1610 (4 cyl).

black diamond · 12-30-2007, 03:31 PM

i installed an aussie in my 4 cyl, piece of cake!! have patience and a clean work area.. u can do it!!!

tortis · 12-30-2007, 04:04 PM

mine was easy. i had ZUK(the mind reader) install them when he installed my 4:88 gears. ZUK is the master of diffs.

neilan · 12-30-2007, 04:22 PM

i personally would take it in to zuk and let him tackle it. The diff is going to be a little sloppy in specs as bearings wear and such so why put in a locker and leave it like this. Its already out of the truck and its cheap insurance and longer life on the bearings and gears to have it all checked properly and everything adjusted..

RiNkY · 12-30-2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilan

i personally would take it in to zuk and let him tackle it. The diff is going to be a little sloppy in specs as bearings wear and such so why put in a locker and leave it like this. Its already out of the truck and its cheap insurance and longer life on the bearings and gears to have it all checked properly and everything adjusted..

Don't learn tho if you don't try stuff yourself. It is nice to know that a local guy is the Diff / Gear guru tho.

black diamond · 12-30-2007, 05:00 PM

i wouldn't be afraid of tackling this job yourself, get to know your truck, bonding!!!!!!!!

black diamond · 12-30-2007, 05:02 PM

don't need to be a gu-ru to instal an aussiee..

12-29-2007, 11:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
ovrrdrive Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,776	I did mine (Lockright) and I'm about the same "mechanic" as you are. On a scale of 1-10 for the weekend warrior, I'd give it an 8. The actual work is more like a 5, but making sure everything is back the way it was before you took it apart makes me give the entire job an 8. If it isn't back the same as it was before you can ruin it. If you do your homework and read everything you can on Zuk's gear page, mark everything, take your time and do it exactly the way they say to do it in the manual you'll be fine. __________________ '95 xcab - SOLD '03 4runner V8 SR5 completely stock

12-29-2007, 09:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
hodgepodge79 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minot, ND Posts: 238	x2 on reading Zuk's pages. It was fairly easy. Hardest part was getting the cross-pin dowel out. Don't go crazy on the grease to hold parts together as suggested by the instructions. __________________ '87 DLX, E-Locker, Aussie, 30x9.50-15 Mesa CT(street) 34x9.50-15 TSL(trail), DougThorley Header.... Best Mod...Desert Pin-Striping (you can't buy that kind of work!)

12-29-2007, 10:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
BLKNBLU Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,668	I think it's a little misleading to say "basic tools" and "home mechanic". It sounds like I'm in the same category with you guys on skill. I did a Lockright but essentially the same procedure. I got it all apart and back together OK, but everything seemed loose and sloppy (and it was) Lucky for me I live 15 minutes from ZUK and I have another car. The issue I had was that the way they tell you to mark the adjusting rings only helps you in one dimension so you don't necessarily get them back exactly where they started from (at least with the lockright instructions) And you don't twist those adjusting rings with "basic tools". That said it isn't undoable. I think I'd be fine next time. __________________ 86 4Runner, custom Sonoran Steel rear bumper, 4Crawler 1" body lift, rock sliders from Richard Stubbs, rear Lockright, SAS w/ARB My build thread. http://www.yotatech.com/f66/blknblu-s-sac-155872/

12-30-2007, 06:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
RiNkY Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 262	Well it seems I am also within a few miles of the famous Zuk and my Runner is certainly not my daily driver, so I think I'll tackle it myself - then cry for help if needed __________________ -------------------- RiNkY 87 4Runner (22re) 4x4 5spd. 1.5" BJ Spacers, 1" Diff Drop, WARN Manual Hubs, 2" Downey Leaf Springs, Skyjacker Shocks, 6" Wabfab shackles, Rear Shock Mounts & Bump Stops. Downey: Bikini Top & Sliders. Marlin Crawler Rear bumper. Budbuilt Crossmember. Addicted Offroad Front Bumper. 31x10.5's. 05 Xterra Off Road 4x4 6spd.

12-30-2007, 03:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
seafarinman Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kitsap County WA Posts: 978	I installed a Lock-Right 1620 (V6) in the rear of my truck a few years back and it was actually easy. When it stopped locking a couple years ago I bought a new set of pins and springs and did it again. Still easy. That said I have never installed a 1610 (4 cyl). __________________ DEPLOYED Again! 1994 SAS 2RZ/R151F=244:1! 1988 Toyota 4Runner SR5

12-30-2007, 06:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bigblock Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Taylorshole,Mississippi Posts: 913	Just do it clean ,dirt kills rear end bearings ,gears, seals.Block it up really good too.We dont want to hear about nobody getting smashed under his 4Runner!

12-30-2007, 03:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
black diamond Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 183	i installed an aussie in my 4 cyl, piece of cake!! have patience and a clean work area.. u can do it!!!

12-30-2007, 04:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
tortis Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: shreveport, La Posts: 1,273	mine was easy. i had ZUK(the mind reader) install them when he installed my 4:88 gears. ZUK is the master of diffs. __________________ 89 Truck X-tra Cab LCE Timing Chain 31'' Maxxis Buckshot 4.88's built by ZUK(the mind reader) Aussie Locker Front and Rear 63'' Chevy Springs Marlin HD Clutch Bilstein HD Shocks 2.5" Exhaust W/Dynomax Muffler 2-50 Watt Backup Lights

12-30-2007, 04:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
neilan Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Corvallis Oregon OSU Posts: 466	i personally would take it in to zuk and let him tackle it. The diff is going to be a little sloppy in specs as bearings wear and such so why put in a locker and leave it like this. Its already out of the truck and its cheap insurance and longer life on the bearings and gears to have it all checked properly and everything adjusted.. __________________ DD: 87 4runner SR5, 31's, rebuilt engine, intake, new head, new injectors, new afm, 2.25 exhuast, header etc... SOLD: TR: 81 sr5 pickup. 5.29's spool rear, detriot front, highsteer, 36 sx's, lifted, bobbed, cagged, 22r with header, 32/36, 261 cam, new head and rebuild. Residing in the PNW bham 360

12-30-2007, 05:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
black diamond Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 183	i wouldn't be afraid of tackling this job yourself, get to know your truck, bonding!!!!!!!!

12-30-2007, 05:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
black diamond Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 183	don't need to be a gu-ru to instal an aussiee..

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