99 Taco, E-locker retrofit complete!

p1michaud · 09-13-2004, 12:04 PM

Well after quite a bit of research on this website, many trips to the various junk yards in the area and some wrenching my 99 Tacoma is now locked!

After making up a wiring harness and testing it. Getting the new rear housing complete from drum to drum ready for the install my buddy and I tore off the old rear housing and istalled the new one. I then spent the whole next day wiring but it's done and it works! See here under the Taco E-locker retrofit folder for some pics:
http://community.webshots.com/user/p1michaud

Anyhow, I just wanted to send a huge thanks to all you folks for providing excellent ressources, inspiration and advice!

You guys are excellent!
Cheers,
P

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

rimpainter.com · 09-13-2004, 12:07 PM

That is just too cool. You have inspired me to tackle the wiring once again once the temps in my garage drop below the daily 110°

Nice work!

Goldrunner · 09-13-2004, 12:37 PM

Congratulations, I may have some questions concerning the wiring when I'm ready to set mine up, did you use the stock computer? Seems like there are an awful lot of wires coming out of it.
matt

SEAN_at_TLT · 09-13-2004, 12:44 PM

Good Job!

if you don't mind my asking, how much did you get the complete axle for? And what did the swap cost you total?

rimpainter.com · 09-13-2004, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEAN_at_TLT

Good Job!

if you don't mind my asking, how much did you get the complete axle for? And what did the swap cost you total?

Sean -

I know you might be talking to "P" but I wanted to mention the route I took. I found a donor rig with a 4.30 ratio, purchased it for a good price, swapped out the front and rear axles to my rig, installed my old axles on the donor rig (4.10's) and sold the donor rig for $300 more than I bought it for. I actually made money on the deal. If you can swing it, that is what I suggest.

Biff · 09-13-2004, 01:45 PM

Never thought about it that way. Might just have to do that with my Landcruiser. Got a quote from a local mechanic parts and labor he would install front and rear arbs for me $2000. Save me a load of cash if do it this way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by <96 Runner>

Sean -

I know you might be talking to "P" but I wanted to mention the route I took. I found a donor rig with a 4.30 ratio, purchased it for a good price, swapped out the front and rear axles to my rig, installed my old axles on the donor rig (4.10's) and sold the donor rig for $300 more than I bought it for. I actually made money on the deal. If you can swing it, that is what I suggest.

Birdman · 09-13-2004, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

Never thought about it that way. Might just have to do that with my Landcruiser. Got a quote from a local mechanic parts and labor he would install front and rear arbs for me $2000. Save me a load of cash if do it this way.

Wow! That sounds REALLY cheap? How much are the parts alone?

Biff · 09-13-2004, 04:38 PM

Don't know I just asked the guy if he can install front and rear ARB lockers on my Landcruiser and her said yes. Total would be $1965, this is the email he sent me.

Quote:

$1965 installed
Simon

"Montano, Victor" <VMontano@cwm.com> wrote:
Simon,

Can you install Front/rear ARB lockers, how much for everything including compressor?:

SEAN_at_TLT · 09-13-2004, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by <96 Runner>

Sean -

I know you might be talking to "P" but I wanted to mention the route I took. I found a donor rig with a 4.30 ratio, purchased it for a good price, swapped out the front and rear axles to my rig, installed my old axles on the donor rig (4.10's) and sold the donor rig for $300 more than I bought it for. I actually made money on the deal. If you can swing it, that is what I suggest.

That's a pretty good way to do it I suppose, especially considering most of the lockers out there aren't ever going to be used.

I have an ARB in my truck but I am always curious to know what's going for how much out there.

transalper · 09-13-2004, 06:04 PM

P1 - Congrats! Were you prewired or did you have to run a wire to the dash light?

p1michaud · 09-14-2004, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by transalper

P1 - Congrats! Were you prewired or did you have to run a wire to the dash light?

Hi fellas, my roomie's home computer took a crap and the hard drive is dead. So I don't have easy access to the net for a bit. Anyhow to answer a few questions.

Transalper, The wire to the dash light was already there, I just figured out wich one was there, easy as you had mentionned just follow the trace, and taped into it. Worked great.

Goldrunner, I'll try and help you out with your wiring when the time comes. I used an ECU pulled from the 96Runner along with the RR Diff Lock switch. I know what you mean with all the wires but it looks worse than it actually is.

SEAN_at_TLT, here is the parts breakdown in Canadian funds:
1-First 96 4Runner rear axle assembly drum to drum with 4.30 gears, ECU and RR Diff Lock switch was $650 but I got lucky and found another exact match for my Tacoma since the 4Runner housing was going to require extensive mods for it to work (going from coil springs to leaf springs). I still have this E-locker and might put it up for sale. I have not decided yet.

2- 4.10 Gears because I was originally going to re-gear the 4Runner for my Taco about $ 65 delivered to my door. They were a used set from a fello 4x4wire.com member.

3-99 Tacoma rear axle assembly drum to drum, new bump stops, wires, connectors, new gear oil, brake fluid, paint and a few other odds and ends came to about $950.

96Runner, good luck with your wiring. Did you ever get the ECU problem straightened out?

Cheers,
P

SEAN_at_TLT · 09-14-2004, 10:32 AM

Thanks for the info.

I'm sure you can get good $$$ for that 4Runner axle if you choose to, 4.30's are somewhat rare and good for up to a 32" tire.

roger · 09-14-2004, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p1michaud

3-99 Tacoma rear axle assembly drum to drum, new bump stops, wires, connectors, new gear oil, brake fluid, paint and a few other odds and ends came to about $950.

So you basically just used the rear end from a TRD Tacoma? And it bolts right on? Does that price include the diff/locker assembly?

BTW, Congrats! Looks very professional.

rimpainter.com · 09-14-2004, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p1michaud

96Runner, good luck with your wiring. Did you ever get the ECU problem straightened out?

Cheers,
P

Yes, I sent it back to Jim and he tested the ECU. It worked. So, the problem has been narrowed down to my retarded wiring job. I think the problem lies where I soldered into the harness at the locker.

As soon as the weather cools down, I am going to have to rewire everything back there. I must have missed something.

p1michaud · 09-15-2004, 04:47 AM

Hi again folks, not having access to the net a home sucks!

96 Runner, let me know when you start re-wiring and if you run into any problems. Just follow the diagram in your locker wiring post and it should work out fine. I'll try and give you a hand to work things out. I've got a digital camera for pics if you need any... Good luck and keep with it.

roger, yep I picked up a used Tacoma TRD rear end it bolts right up. I did check the gear ratio before buying but that would not be too big a job to change. Yes, $950 includes everything.

Cheers,
Pierre

09-13-2004, 12:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,797	That is just too cool. You have inspired me to tackle the wiring once again once the temps in my garage drop below the daily 110° Nice work! __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

09-13-2004, 12:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Goldrunner Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 59	Congratulations, I may have some questions concerning the wiring when I'm ready to set mine up, did you use the stock computer? Seems like there are an awful lot of wires coming out of it. matt __________________ 94-runner, 3.0, 5spd, bilsteins, PP springs, Aisin hubs, Hella 500s, Husky liners, OME stabilizer, BJ spacers, Daystar spacers in back. Rockcrawlers with 32-11.5 BFG All-Terrains e-locker and Stubbs sliders pending install

09-13-2004, 12:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
SEAN_at_TLT Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 752	Good Job! if you don't mind my asking, how much did you get the complete axle for? And what did the swap cost you total? __________________ -Sean Trails Less Traveled

09-13-2004, 06:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
transalper Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 430	P1 - Congrats! Were you prewired or did you have to run a wire to the dash light? __________________ Jay - 97 4Runner SR5 V6 Auto Air/E Lockers, OME, Revos, ARB bull bar, Superwinch X9, sliders, etc . . . Last edited by transalper; 09-13-2004 at 06:07 PM.

09-14-2004, 10:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
SEAN_at_TLT Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 752	Thanks for the info. I'm sure you can get good $$$ for that 4Runner axle if you choose to, 4.30's are somewhat rare and good for up to a 32" tire. __________________ -Sean Trails Less Traveled

09-15-2004, 04:47 AM	#15 (permalink)
p1michaud Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 130	E-locker Hi again folks, not having access to the net a home sucks! 96 Runner, let me know when you start re-wiring and if you run into any problems. Just follow the diagram in your locker wiring post and it should work out fine. I'll try and give you a hand to work things out. I've got a digital camera for pics if you need any... Good luck and keep with it. roger, yep I picked up a used Tacoma TRD rear end it bolts right up. I did check the gear ratio before buying but that would not be too big a job to change. Yes, $950 includes everything. Cheers, Pierre

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
E-locker Retrofit	Albuquerque Jim	The Fab Shop	7	02-24-2006 10:33 AM
E-Locker Retrofit	xstickfightx	Offroad Tech	1	10-28-2005 10:18 AM
e-locker retrofit write up not working?	chuckd	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	2	07-18-2004 12:04 PM
retrofit locker	wtmtnterror	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	1	04-07-2004 07:37 PM
retrofit electric locker (and sliders)	phong	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	7	08-27-2002 07:37 PM