E-Locker Retrofit TOTAL cost & wiring?

aviator31 · 11-18-2008, 06:26 PM

I'm really wanting to retrofit my 99 Highlander with an
e-locker. I did a lot of searching on this, but I am curious what the total cost should be, ballpark? I have a 3rd located for $300 or a whole axle for $500. Is there any chance my Highlander edition was factory wired for the locker already and how can I tell for sure? If the wiring is already there, is it pretty much plug and play after installing the new axle? Thanks in advance guys!

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j-man · 11-18-2008, 06:47 PM

if you dont mind, im going to add a second question to your post - Who Is the guy who retro-fits non locker 3rds into locked 3rds? I think he's in arizona??

nc994run · 11-18-2008, 06:54 PM

I did mine for $550 and got most of the wiring I needed for free when I bought the e-locker 3rd. I would go for the whole axle (as long as its not bent).

aviator31 · 11-18-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j-man

if you dont mind, im going to add a second question to your post - Who Is the guy who retro-fits non locker 3rds into locked 3rds? I think he's in arizona??

Don't mind at all, that is what this site is all about anyway.

SWPERIC · 11-18-2008, 09:28 PM

where r u guys finding parts? must have an E locker myself. i think This is a write up about retrofitting a non-locker 3rd.

SWPERIC · 11-18-2008, 09:30 PM

oops. i lied^ "bolted on locker 3rd." sorry for the tease

Elton · 11-18-2008, 09:59 PM

mine came with the truck so it cost me about 8500

**rocket** · 11-19-2008, 04:02 AM

Total cost really depends on where you source the parts and how much you're willing to spend. It can vary all over the place.

To eliminate the hassle of retrofitting a 3rd member, I bought a complete (drum to drum) '99 axle w/e-locker for $550 and I'm planning to get an ORS wiring harness for $160-$180. Total spent will be around $780. Still much cheaper to the comparable/alternative ARB locker.

criagslist.com is good place to find one, must be patient though, search daily, call and email questions. Most sellers who part out 3rd gens have no idea what an e-locker is. I was fortunate to find mine here through a local member.

**rocket** · 11-19-2008, 05:14 AM

Something else to consider...
Depending on how you perceive it, the only downside or upside is the added expense of re-gearing. i.e. My 4runner currently has 4.10's (5spd) but the axle I bought has 4.30's (auto) and I have 285's ready to mount.
I would much rather prefer 4.30s but unfortunately, only Toyota makes them. That leaves me searching for a used front 3rd or spend a crap load of money to re-gear both f/r for a ratio that isn't ideal.

aviator31 · 11-19-2008, 08:43 AM

SO, with the full axle replacement, is it pretty much plug and play with the ORS harness? I guess I'm wondering if you have to run a bunch of wires and such?

dsmbuddy · 11-19-2008, 09:07 AM

A 99 Highlander has IRS, Independent Rear Suspention. Your going to have to completely re-do the rear suspention of the Highlander to put a solid axle with a locker under it.

Looking at you avatar, looks like a 4runner.

If you swap the entire housing, you can either run the a stock wiring harness for the diff and have it work as it would if it came stock. MY suggestion would be to make your own harness so that you can lock it whenever you wanted. (not only in 4L)

gilby4runner · 11-19-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmbuddy

A 99 Highlander has IRS, Independent Rear Suspention. Your going to have to completely re-do the rear suspention of the Highlander to put a solid axle with a locker under it.

Looking at you avatar, looks like a 4runner.

If you swap the entire housing, you can either run the a stock wiring harness for the diff and have it work as it would if it came stock. MY suggestion would be to make your own harness so that you can lock it whenever you wanted. (not only in 4L)

??????

IRS..... You may be thinking of something different.

scuba · 11-19-2008, 09:39 AM

The guy in arizona is ZUK

cackalak han · 11-19-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmbuddy

A 99 Highlander has IRS, Independent Rear Suspention. Your going to have to completely re-do the rear suspention of the Highlander to put a solid axle with a locker under it.

Looking at you avatar, looks like a 4runner.

If you swap the entire housing, you can either run the a stock wiring harness for the diff and have it work as it would if it came stock. MY suggestion would be to make your own harness so that you can lock it whenever you wanted. (not only in 4L)

He's not talking about the Toyota Highlander. They didn't even start making the Highlanders till 2001. He's talking about the 1999 4Runner Highlander Edition, which is equivalent to a "Sport Edition".

84RNR · 11-19-2008, 10:48 AM

I was looking at getting a complete e-locker axle for me '84 runner, and was wondering if any of the complete factory e-locker axles will bolt right up. Or would I have to have the spring perches cut and re-welded.

Just curious at this point as I had an offer on my runner (wasn't planning on selling) so no more mods for now. If this guy changes his mind though I'll be looking to do this mod.

aviator31 · 11-19-2008, 07:12 PM

I have a rear axle with e-locker located and the guy said that they have the entire truck there and I was welcome to take the harness and RR Diff switch also. Is that all that I need and will that just plug in and work?

wormhole · 11-19-2008, 09:20 PM

When I swapped axles in my 96 4runner I got the wiring harness from the locker to the body and then used an inchworm control harness for the rest (still needed some addtional wire though) and the factory switch.

Swapping the whole axle is alot easier than modify the axle housing to accept the diff.

11-18-2008, 06:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
j-man Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santa Monica, Ca Posts: 205	if you dont mind, im going to add a second question to your post - Who Is the guy who retro-fits non locker 3rds into locked 3rds? I think he's in arizona?? __________________ 2000 4Runner v6 sr5 4x4 5spd: Turbo'ed 99 4Runner v6 Sr5 4x4 5spd: Saw's / OME combo TrueTrac rear 98 4Runner V6 Sr5 4x4 5spd E-locker: Saws / OME combo... EEZI AWN Roof Tent 1.4m 97 4Runner V6 Sr5 4x4 Auto: Saws / OME combo TrueTrac rear 2003 Landcruiser 285 BFG At's and outback roofrack My Baja Trailer Build: http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=179520 http://community.webshots.com/user/bajaroadtrain

11-18-2008, 06:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
nc994run Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: blacksburg,va for school chapel hill, nc for home Posts: 971	I did mine for $550 and got most of the wiring I needed for free when I bought the e-locker 3rd. I would go for the whole axle (as long as its not bent). __________________ Rob 1999 4Runner Limited 4x4, retrofitted e-locker/ ARB front locker with 4.88 Precision Gears, Tundra/LC lift, 2" 4Crawler BL, Nitto Mud Grappler 35's on 16x8, Marlin sliders, TJM T-15, Warn M8000 w/ synthetic line, Mad Mike's custom rear Bumper, deckplate and ISR mods, Vortex Muffler, custom made tube doors pictures here I support Banned Neliconcept

11-18-2008, 09:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
SWPERIC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 269	where r u guys finding parts? must have an E locker myself. i think This is a write up about retrofitting a non-locker 3rd. __________________ My Build Thread for sale. very cheap, almost free. 2002 4runner limited running boards (golden pearl) free to a good home. or any home at that 2002 runner stereo with 6 cd changer and external amp.

11-18-2008, 09:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
SWPERIC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 269	oops. i lied^ "bolted on locker 3rd." sorry for the tease __________________ My Build Thread for sale. very cheap, almost free. 2002 4runner limited running boards (golden pearl) free to a good home. or any home at that 2002 runner stereo with 6 cd changer and external amp.

11-18-2008, 09:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,464	mine came with the truck so it cost me about 8500 __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

11-19-2008, 04:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
rocket Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,522	Total cost really depends on where you source the parts and how much you're willing to spend. It can vary all over the place. To eliminate the hassle of retrofitting a 3rd member, I bought a complete (drum to drum) '99 axle w/e-locker for $550 and I'm planning to get an ORS wiring harness for $160-$180. Total spent will be around $780. Still much cheaper to the comparable/alternative ARB locker. criagslist.com is good place to find one, must be patient though, search daily, call and email questions. Most sellers who part out 3rd gens have no idea what an e-locker is. I was fortunate to find mine here through a local member. __________________ '96-'02 gone: '92

11-19-2008, 05:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
rocket Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,522	Something else to consider... Depending on how you perceive it, the only downside or upside is the added expense of re-gearing. i.e. My 4runner currently has 4.10's (5spd) but the axle I bought has 4.30's (auto) and I have 285's ready to mount. I would much rather prefer 4.30s but unfortunately, only Toyota makes them. That leaves me searching for a used front 3rd or spend a crap load of money to re-gear both f/r for a ratio that isn't ideal. __________________ '96-'02 gone: '92

11-19-2008, 08:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
aviator31 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Centerton,AR Posts: 200	SO, with the full axle replacement, is it pretty much plug and play with the ORS harness? I guess I'm wondering if you have to run a bunch of wires and such? __________________ 99 Highlander Jardine Cat Back Exhaust TRD Tundra/OME Suspension Pro Comp Xtreme MTs 285/75/16 Pro Comp 7089s 16x8 Stubbs Sliders

11-19-2008, 09:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
dsmbuddy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 64	A 99 Highlander has IRS, Independent Rear Suspention. Your going to have to completely re-do the rear suspention of the Highlander to put a solid axle with a locker under it. Looking at you avatar, looks like a 4runner. If you swap the entire housing, you can either run the a stock wiring harness for the diff and have it work as it would if it came stock. MY suggestion would be to make your own harness so that you can lock it whenever you wanted. (not only in 4L)

11-19-2008, 09:39 AM	#13 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,956	The guy in arizona is ZUK __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA

11-19-2008, 10:48 AM	#15 (permalink)
84RNR Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 152	I was looking at getting a complete e-locker axle for me '84 runner, and was wondering if any of the complete factory e-locker axles will bolt right up. Or would I have to have the spring perches cut and re-welded. Just curious at this point as I had an offer on my runner (wasn't planning on selling) so no more mods for now. If this guy changes his mind though I'll be looking to do this mod. __________________ 84 4runner SR5, 5" suspension lift, 35" BFG's, 5spd 03 Tacoma Dbl Cab SR5, TRD Off-Road Package w/ E-Locker, Revo's

11-19-2008, 07:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
aviator31 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Centerton,AR Posts: 200	I have a rear axle with e-locker located and the guy said that they have the entire truck there and I was welcome to take the harness and RR Diff switch also. Is that all that I need and will that just plug in and work? __________________ 99 Highlander Jardine Cat Back Exhaust TRD Tundra/OME Suspension Pro Comp Xtreme MTs 285/75/16 Pro Comp 7089s 16x8 Stubbs Sliders

11-19-2008, 09:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
wormhole Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bountiful, Utah Posts: 1,521	When I swapped axles in my 96 4runner I got the wiring harness from the locker to the body and then used an inchworm control harness for the rest (still needed some addtional wire though) and the factory switch. Swapping the whole axle is alot easier than modify the axle housing to accept the diff. __________________ 2000 Toyota 4runner auto, 4x4, elocker, budbuilt skid, Sonoran Steel 7.2, 265/75/16 Yokohoma Geolanders AT-S Just call me "T"

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