how do i tell if i have the factory locker?

amorphous · 07-15-2003, 12:38 PM

greetings,

the guy I purchased my '98 from "said" that my truck had the factory locker. Didn't really matter to me with regards to my purchase...but now I'm curious if he was just feeding me a load of bull.

How can I tell?

thanks,

aaron

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rimpainter.com · 07-15-2003, 12:42 PM

To the left of your steering wheel column, just below the guages, you will see a button that reads "RR Diff Lock" - if you have it.

4runner4ever · 07-15-2003, 12:45 PM

Checking if you have a switch that says "diff lock" or something like that, can be a first...

And second; check your rear differential, if you see a small electric motor on top of the diff carrier, you are the proud owner of a 100% locker.

4RunnerFever · 07-15-2003, 12:45 PM

Should be a button on the left of the steering wheel beside the dimmer that says lock on it.

If you've got one, it really helps in the deep snow and off-road. Otherwise no real use for it.

RTdawgs · 07-15-2003, 12:49 PM

did anyone mention the button next to the steering wheel?

rimpainter.com · 07-15-2003, 12:51 PM

Yeah, hey its the button by the steering wheel. Just in case you missed it.

amorphous · 07-15-2003, 01:05 PM

sucks, I have no button.....does this mean I'm S.O.L?

no biggie really, just wonderin if that dued was talking smack to me when he was showing it to me.

~a

rimpainter.com · 07-15-2003, 01:06 PM

No button = no locker.

L33T35T 4Runner · 07-15-2003, 01:19 PM

unless he put an aftermarket full-time locker in it, like a lockright. i dunno if they made one for third gens though

amorphous · 07-15-2003, 01:43 PM

don't think he had and aftermarket install done...but *maybe*
(what to look for there, with no interior switches?)
I was up under there the other day but didn't think to look,
but...I'll be back on the bell crank saga and will poke around.

thanks guys,

aaron

RTdawgs · 07-15-2003, 01:59 PM

if there are no switches, you cant tell unless you upon up the diff and look in.

amorphous · 07-15-2003, 02:10 PM

....and I'm supposing you don't mean open up the fill and drain plugs!

~a

Mojo_Risin · 07-15-2003, 02:27 PM

Drive up onto a rock or ledge or a dirt berm with one front tire in 2WD so that 1 rear tire comes off the ground - if you can keep driving up it you've got a full-time rear locker - if the 1 rear tires just spins in the air you got no locker. Actually, without the locker you probably won't get the tire in the air - it will just lose traction before you can climb high enough to get the tire off the ground.

This is how I made sure my E-locker install was working correctly.

My guess, you have no locker of any kind.

John

rimpainter.com · 07-15-2003, 02:56 PM

A full time rear locker? I have never heard of that...

Well, if there is a such thing, you will experience the following on dry pavent:

Squealing and chattering tires
The turning radius of a greyhound bus

A LSD is one thing...but a full time locker?

prolax13 · 07-15-2003, 03:54 PM

By Full-Time locker, I think he means a soft-locker. These are always engaged until the force of a turn overcomes it, thus disengaging it until you exit the turn.

rimpainter.com · 07-15-2003, 03:56 PM

Gotcha.

ssbogger · 07-15-2003, 08:52 PM

Im pretty sure they make full time lockers but maybe not for a 4runner. Isnt that what a Detroit is?

L33T35T 4Runner · 07-15-2003, 08:54 PM

detroit and trutrac makes one

The LockRight is a full-time locker, but i dont know if they made those for third gens

keisur · 07-15-2003, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AllOtherNamesTakenSo
if there are no switches, you cant tell unless you upon up the diff and look in.

I thought you could look at the 3rd member and look for a cable and the elocker actuator sticking off the drivers side of the carrier.

EDIT: see the clump of crap on the side of this 3rd? your 3rd member will have that big-azz thing on the drivers side of it if you have the elocker: The elocker was a special order on the SR5's otherwise I would have had one on mine, that's when I was too stupid to know I'd need one. If he didn't order one at purchase than it doesn't have one.

PoBoy · 07-15-2003, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ssbogger
Im pretty sure they make full time lockers but maybe not for a 4runner. Isnt that what a Detroit is?

Sure do as I have one. Detroit makes EZ locker for 3rd gens. But you would know if you have a full time locker as they make lots of noise on turns

She goes BANG BANG BANG

44Runner · 07-15-2003, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by L33T35T 4Runner
detroit and trutrac makes one

The LockRight is a full-time locker, but i dont know if they made those for third gens

This thread is full of so much misinformation it is scarey...

trutrac is a limited slip diff made buy the same people that make the detroit locker, Tractech. Both are made for third gens.

Lockrites are also available for third gens as are most other locker/LSD options. The 7.5" and 8" toyota diffs have been in use for a long time and there are many manufacturer making diffs for them...

keisur · 07-15-2003, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 44Runner
This thread is full of so much misinformation it is scarey...

trutrac is a limited slip diff made buy the same people that make the detroit locker, Tractech. Both are made for third gens.

Lockrites are also available for third gens as are most other locker/LSD options. The 7.5" and 8" toyota diffs have been in use for a long time and there are many manufacturer making diffs for them...

Crack that whip boy!!!!,, Whaaaaa-Pisssshhhhhhh!!!!

44Runner · 07-15-2003, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by keisur
Crack that whip boy!!!!,, Whaaaaa-Pisssshhhhhhh!!!!

Gotta keep em straight!

Shane · 07-16-2003, 07:24 AM

Put tranny in 2wd neutral, parking brake off, lift one rear wheel, turn lifted wheel with your hands. If it doesn't turn very far you have a "ratcheting" locker (ie detriot), and if it turns with no resistance you have nothing (ie SOL). Not everyone knows what a locker is or feels like when you're driving, and the previous owner may have been duped by the dealer or he was just a total idiot and didn't know what he was getting. For example, dealer mentions that you can get a locker in the 4runner, idiot buyer thinks "oh cool, this one has a locker" without verifying the existance of it.

07-15-2003, 12:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,781	To the left of your steering wheel column, just below the guages, you will see a button that reads "RR Diff Lock" - if you have it. __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

07-15-2003, 12:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
4runner4ever Contributing Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 408	Checking if you have a switch that says "diff lock" or something like that, can be a first... And second; check your rear differential, if you see a small electric motor on top of the diff carrier, you are the proud owner of a 100% locker. __________________ '90 4R 2JZ-GE swap, headers, turbo and intercooler FR and RR LC axles coils and discs all around AllPro parking brake 305/70 R16 Yokohama MT 4.88 gears

07-15-2003, 12:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
4RunnerFever Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 883	Should be a button on the left of the steering wheel beside the dimmer that says lock on it. If you've got one, it really helps in the deep snow and off-road. Otherwise no real use for it. __________________ 2004 Tacoma Double Cab, TRD Off-Road, PIAA fogs, ARE Shell, Yakima, etc. 4RunnerFever _______ GBNF: 1998-3rd Gen-4Runner, SR5, 4WD, TRD Supercharger, TRD Cat-Back, 3-inch Revtek Suspension Lift, 285/75-16 Revos, 4Crawler Offroad 1" body lift, Sonoran Trac Bar, Hayden Cooler, Hood Scoop, 'Outback' Mod, Optima 34R, Amsoil, Yakima, PIAA, etc. Sold to Mastacox.

07-15-2003, 12:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
RTdawgs Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,066	did anyone mention the button next to the steering wheel? __________________ Ryan New: 2008 4Runner Sport. Mild, not wild. Old: 2000 4Runner 305s, Locker, TJM, Warn, Skids, Sliders, SC

07-15-2003, 12:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,781	Yeah, hey its the button by the steering wheel. Just in case you missed it. __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

07-15-2003, 01:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
amorphous Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 839	d a g - ! sucks, I have no button.....does this mean I'm S.O.L? no biggie really, just wonderin if that dued was talking smack to me when he was showing it to me. ~a __________________ 98 4runner sr5 33"s and locked with the usual suspects

07-15-2003, 01:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,781	No button = no locker. __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

07-15-2003, 01:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
L33T35T 4Runner Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Fountain Valley, CA (so cali) Posts: 2,005	unless he put an aftermarket full-time locker in it, like a lockright. i dunno if they made one for third gens though __________________ 95 4Runner SR5 3.0l. V6 2 wheel drive baby! 31" Bridgeston Dueler A/T Revos. Downey 1.5 Coils. Doetsch MV-12 Shocks. Brembo Rotors. Performance Friction Pads. Pioneer head unit with 1 12" Pioneer woofer. XM Radio. RB Headlight Harness w/ Sylvania SilverStars New to the family: 85 4Runner 22RE, 4x4, 5 spd, SFA. 31" BFG All Terrain T/A KOs, genuine Walmart seat covers, "Dual" stereo, XM Radio, RB Headlight Harness w/ Sylvania SilverStars. Onboard air. Has been seafoamed to hell

07-15-2003, 01:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
amorphous Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 839	aftermarket don't think he had and aftermarket install done...but maybe (what to look for there, with no interior switches?) I was up under there the other day but didn't think to look, but...I'll be back on the bell crank saga and will poke around. thanks guys, aaron __________________ 98 4runner sr5 33"s and locked with the usual suspects

07-15-2003, 01:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
RTdawgs Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,066	if there are no switches, you cant tell unless you upon up the diff and look in. __________________ Ryan New: 2008 4Runner Sport. Mild, not wild. Old: 2000 4Runner 305s, Locker, TJM, Warn, Skids, Sliders, SC

07-15-2003, 02:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
amorphous Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 839	arg! ....and I'm supposing you don't mean open up the fill and drain plugs! ~a __________________ 98 4runner sr5 33"s and locked with the usual suspects

07-15-2003, 02:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mojo_Risin Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thornton, CO. Posts: 901	Drive up onto a rock or ledge or a dirt berm with one front tire in 2WD so that 1 rear tire comes off the ground - if you can keep driving up it you've got a full-time rear locker - if the 1 rear tires just spins in the air you got no locker. Actually, without the locker you probably won't get the tire in the air - it will just lose traction before you can climb high enough to get the tire off the ground. This is how I made sure my E-locker install was working correctly. My guess, you have no locker of any kind. John __________________ '97 4Runner SR5 Front: Tundra Coils/Tokico Trekmasters \| Rear: LC Shocks & Coils + SS rear "fixes" \| Custom Sliders 285/75 Maxxis Bighorn Radials \| Retrofit E-Locker \| TJM T15 \| Custom Rear Bumper \| Warn m8000

07-15-2003, 02:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,781	A full time rear locker? I have never heard of that... Well, if there is a such thing, you will experience the following on dry pavent: Squealing and chattering tires The turning radius of a greyhound bus A LSD is one thing...but a full time locker? __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

07-15-2003, 03:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
prolax13 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 602	By Full-Time locker, I think he means a soft-locker. These are always engaged until the force of a turn overcomes it, thus disengaging it until you exit the turn. __________________ 2000 4Runner Ltd. Performance: Funtional Borla Dual Exhaust, Deck-Plate Mod... Suspension: SAW Coilovers, Downey 3.5" HD Springs, OME 881 Shocks... Exterior: None (grill guard removed) Wheels/Tires: Mickey Thompson Classic II 16x8, BFGoodwrench 285/75/16 A/T KOs...

07-15-2003, 03:56 PM	#16 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,781	Gotcha. __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

07-15-2003, 08:52 PM	#17 (permalink)
ssbogger Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: James Island/ChuckTown, SC Posts: 699	Im pretty sure they make full time lockers but maybe not for a 4runner. Isnt that what a Detroit is? __________________ 2004 GMC Sierra Denali Quadrasteer Small system '99 4runner SOLD Lifted, SC'd, etc... 2002 Tacoma SOLD Lifted, System, etc...

07-15-2003, 08:54 PM	#18 (permalink)
L33T35T 4Runner Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Fountain Valley, CA (so cali) Posts: 2,005	detroit and trutrac makes one The LockRight is a full-time locker, but i dont know if they made those for third gens __________________ 95 4Runner SR5 3.0l. V6 2 wheel drive baby! 31" Bridgeston Dueler A/T Revos. Downey 1.5 Coils. Doetsch MV-12 Shocks. Brembo Rotors. Performance Friction Pads. Pioneer head unit with 1 12" Pioneer woofer. XM Radio. RB Headlight Harness w/ Sylvania SilverStars New to the family: 85 4Runner 22RE, 4x4, 5 spd, SFA. 31" BFG All Terrain T/A KOs, genuine Walmart seat covers, "Dual" stereo, XM Radio, RB Headlight Harness w/ Sylvania SilverStars. Onboard air. Has been seafoamed to hell

07-16-2003, 07:24 AM	#24 (permalink)
Shane Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 3,000	Put tranny in 2wd neutral, parking brake off, lift one rear wheel, turn lifted wheel with your hands. If it doesn't turn very far you have a "ratcheting" locker (ie detriot), and if it turns with no resistance you have nothing (ie SOL). Not everyone knows what a locker is or feels like when you're driving, and the previous owner may have been duped by the dealer or he was just a total idiot and didn't know what he was getting. For example, dealer mentions that you can get a locker in the 4runner, idiot buyer thinks "oh cool, this one has a locker" without verifying the existance of it. __________________ "It's one great big dysfunctional family that now has to split up and spread dysfunctionality around the greater world," Bill Stainton on the breakup of the cast of "Almost Live!" Last edited by Shane; 07-16-2003 at 07:26 AM.

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