Myth Busters ** e-locker conversion axle length **

JollyGreen · 12-27-2009, 02:50 PM

I am converting a 1994 Toyota pickup rear end to an E-locker and there were numerous comments about the axle length being shorter and breaking my e-locker once installed into the 94 rear end.

The e-locker came from a 1998 4runner and the overall axle length is 2" wider than my 94 truck.

I pulled both thirds and re-installed the axles to measure where Toyota thought they should be in the diff's. I think this confirms on my truck at least that the axle length is identical on both axles internally.

1994 Pickup with factory axles 1.509 inches between axles

1998 4runner with factory axles 1.509 inches between axles

1998 4 runner pinon side shaft 3.499 inches from locker side opening

1994 pickup pinion side shaft 3.499 inches from locker side opening

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Stuwy123 · 12-27-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyGreen

I wouldn't trust your measurements if this is how you are measuring with your calipers.
The edges are supposed to be flat against the ends of the shafts.

tc · 12-27-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyGreen

I am converting a 1994 Toyota pickup rear end to an E-locker and there were numerous comments about the axle length being shorter and breaking my e-locker once installed into the 94 rear end.

Whoever told you that needs to be slapped with the "stop posting misinformation" backhand

Yes, it works perfect, as confirmed by your measurements. (... and, yes, the anvils need to be flush on the ends, but you don't really need to be accurate to the .001" for most of our applications!)

JollyGreen · 12-27-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuwy123

I wouldn't trust your measurements if this is how you are measuring with your calipers.
The edges are supposed to be flat against the ends of the shafts.

I was wondering who the first

would be to point that out. I had to use one hand to take the picture, and the other hand to hold the mic. With two hands and no picture, the measurements are correct.

For the next amazing person who is smarter than me, better than me, and gosh darnit, people like him..... yes I used a straight edge to verify the location of the axle to the locker edge of the 3rd hole, but since I don't have three hands, I couldn't hold it in the picture either.

peow130 · 12-27-2009, 06:23 PM

So?
This just proves that the axles meet in the same location lol.

Also, wouldnt it be a more morth-while swap to swap the entire 98' axle into the 94?
Wider = Better..

space-junk · 12-27-2009, 06:42 PM

I don't mean to sound like an a-hole here, but wouldn't you think that if there were inherent problems with retrofitting an e-locker into an older axle they would have been adressed by now? People have been doing this swap for years without any axle problems... And there are numerous writeups on this forum as how to do it... I think maybe you should do a little better research next time...

Stuwy123 · 12-27-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyGreen

I was wondering who the first

would be to point that out. I had to use one hand to take the picture, and the other hand to hold the mic. With two hands and no picture, the measurements are correct.

I figured as much, I just wanted to

a bit.

RustBucket · 12-27-2009, 07:11 PM

It's an interesting bit of information anyway! Thanks to JollyGreen for stepping out to add something to the Toyota knowledgebase. Better than "can I fit 35's with a body lift" kind of crap!

JollyGreen · 12-27-2009, 07:25 PM

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=806250

I found this link on ZUK's website, and have had several people on yotatech tell me not to do it.

tc · 12-27-2009, 08:46 PM

I find a few things interesting:

That is the only post EVER I have seen claiming that was a problem, and the only report I have ever heard of someone destroying the elocker like that.

The OP disappeared pretty damn quick once people started bringing out actual measurements of the different housings/shafts.

NOTE: Neither of those implies that the is/isn't real - but it ain't happening every day to the thousands of people who have swapped an elocker into a preTaco housing.

twoyotas · 03-12-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peow130

Also, wouldnt it be a more morth-while swap to swap the entire 98' axle into the 94?
Wider = Better..

I am wondering the same thing. Would it be easier to swap the entire axle? If, for example, I were to get a hold of the entire rear end that already has the elocker, could I (after a thourough inspection and cleanup) swap the entire thing into the rear of my 95.5 tacoma (as long as the gearing matched up with the front)?

tc · 03-13-2010, 07:03 AM

The ebrake is on the other side. Not an insurmountable problem, but takes more than unbolting the ubolts dropping out the ould axle and swinging the new one in.

twoyotas · 03-13-2010, 08:04 AM

ah, that makes sense. it seems, from the reading I have been doing on this subject, that the housing of the non-trd axle is a little beefier, which is why folks are more inclined to mod the non-trd axle. any truth to this?

tried4x2signN · 03-13-2010, 10:26 AM

A wider axle is not stronger. The housings may be, but IMO it's a marginal amount... Is an air gun with a 12" extension and socket stronger than just putting the socket on the gun? I don't think so...

Longer shafts, the more it can distort b/f it breaks...

And why would you want wider axles? Then just put full width 44's or 60's under it and totally f it up... I like getting into and out of tight places... THAT'S WHY I BOUGHT A COMPACT TRUCK!

never understood why ppl want wide axles on a compact truck... JUST GOT GET A FULL SIZE TRUCK? Then you can haul full size loads with it, and safely...

Same footprint off road?

12-27-2009, 06:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
peow130 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,940	So? This just proves that the axles meet in the same location lol. Also, wouldnt it be a more morth-while swap to swap the entire 98' axle into the 94? Wider = Better.. __________________ 1987 Toyota Pickup DLX. 30" Cooper Discoverer S/T's. 1" AAL lift and Tbar crank. and two KC HiLites. IFS Club #5 1978 Camaro Z28, 454 Big Block V8 with a 4 Speed.

12-27-2009, 07:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
RustBucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 1,152	It's an interesting bit of information anyway! Thanks to JollyGreen for stepping out to add something to the Toyota knowledgebase. Better than "can I fit 35's with a body lift" kind of crap! __________________ Rust-Free '88 Runner. Stay-at-home truck.

12-27-2009, 08:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 8,921	I find a few things interesting: That is the only post EVER I have seen claiming that was a problem, and the only report I have ever heard of someone destroying the elocker like that. The OP disappeared pretty damn quick once people started bringing out actual measurements of the different housings/shafts. NOTE: Neither of those implies that the is/isn't real - but it ain't happening every day to the thousands of people who have swapped an elocker into a preTaco housing. __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

03-13-2010, 07:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 8,921	The ebrake is on the other side. Not an insurmountable problem, but takes more than unbolting the ubolts dropping out the ould axle and swinging the new one in. __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

03-13-2010, 10:26 AM	#14 (permalink)
tried4x2signN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nashville (gargle gargle) TN. I can help you if you're close BUT NOBODY CAN HELP YOU IF YOU DON'T FILL YOUR LOCATION IN! Posts: 866	A wider axle is not stronger. The housings may be, but IMO it's a marginal amount... Is an air gun with a 12" extension and socket stronger than just putting the socket on the gun? I don't think so... Longer shafts, the more it can distort b/f it breaks... And why would you want wider axles? Then just put full width 44's or 60's under it and totally f it up... I like getting into and out of tight places... THAT'S WHY I BOUGHT A COMPACT TRUCK! never understood why ppl want wide axles on a compact truck... JUST GOT GET A FULL SIZE TRUCK? Then you can haul full size loads with it, and safely... Same footprint off road? __________________ Lost, in a sea of sub forums... "In America, we like everyone to know about the good work we're doing anonymously. " J.Leno Want BFG 35/10.50's? click here Last edited by tried4x2signN; 03-13-2010 at 10:29 AM.

12-27-2009, 07:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
JollyGreen Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 112	http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=806250 I found this link on ZUK's website, and have had several people on yotatech tell me not to do it.

03-13-2010, 08:04 AM	#13 (permalink)
twoyotas Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 3	ah, that makes sense. it seems, from the reading I have been doing on this subject, that the housing of the non-trd axle is a little beefier, which is why folks are more inclined to mod the non-trd axle. any truth to this?

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