Prerunner and ARB Air Locker

RedPrerunnerSR5 · 10-01-2004, 03:12 PM

I just bought a 2001 Prerunner 4 Cyl 2.7L SR5, one of the models that didnt come with the E-Locker, so I'm thinking about some mods that will aid me in increasing the trucks off-road ability, mostly in sand and mud, while still keeping it suitable for driving on roads (which is what I mostly plan on doing). I posted before and everyone encouraged me to put a locker on it. So I searched around for a day or so looking at different lockers. I would really like one that has a manual dash mounted control (like the e-locker), since I drive mostly in the city, so I can simply flip it on whenever I need it during my weekend excursions. I was looking at the ARB Air Locker, and reading the application PDF on www.arbusa.com and noticed that it only has kits for the Tundra, T-100, and Tacoma 4x4. So my first question is will the one for the Tacoma 4x4 fit on my prerunner since the prerunner has, as another yotatech member so perfectly put, "the look of a 4x4, the smell of a 4x4, but just not the heart of a 4x4". I'm interested in the ARB because it has a dashmounted switch, just like I want. Has anyone installed this on a Prerunner or atleast know if its possible? The application PDF states that the kit for the Tacoma 4x4 for the rear axle fits the 8" dia. RG, 12 Bolt, 33(1.31") Shaft Dia. 30 Shaft Spline and all ratios; ARB Part no. RD89. Where would I look to see if this matched my truck?

Also, am I heading in the right direction with the ARB? I was looking at Detroit Lockers, and was interested in the Detroit Electrac (dashmounted switch), but didnt see a kit for my truck, are there any other switch on/off style lockers that will fit a 2001 4 Cyl 2.7L Prerunner?

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saletel · 10-01-2004, 03:19 PM

i believe you have the 8.4" rear end which is the same as the tundra, tacoma (4x4 non e-locker equiped) and sequoia, and the 4th gen 4runners

Nitro Hotpants · 10-01-2004, 03:23 PM

first off, good choice with the ARB. its a great unit
what you are looking for is the air locker designed for the tacoma 8.4" differential. i dont remember the part # for that, its not the RD23 because thats the 8" one.
call an off road shop or drivetrain shop around you and ask some questions. tell them you have the 8.4" or 8.25" rear diff.

-Casey

Steveh29 · 10-01-2004, 03:25 PM

Can't answer your application question but I am very happy with my ARB locker. I do mostly street driving in my 4Runner and it's great.

RedPrerunnerSR5 · 10-01-2004, 04:26 PM

What is a median price for the ARB Air Locker for a Tacoma? Cause i'm seeing numbers way different from each other all around. From $650 to $808 to $940, and the $940 one said compressor sold separetly. Did you guys buy yours local or offline? If offline where from? This is my first truck, so I'm not sure where to buy parts from and all that yet. Also where did you guys mount the switch in your cab? Cause my prerunner has the little slot (has a little plastic filler piece in it) where the RR Diff Lock button would be if the truck had the e locker in it, and I was wondering if the switch would fit there?

Steveh29 · 10-01-2004, 04:45 PM

I bought mine from All Pro Offroad. I pulled the diff out of my axle and brought it to them. They installed the diff parts - I installed the rest on my truck. I have a 2nd Gen 4 runner and mounted the switches (there are two - compressor and locker) on the center console behind the shifter where a couple of those coin holder trays were. Doing it over again I would buy some toyota factory switches and put them in the dash. I say this because too often things bump the switches turning them on. It's not that big a deal because I disconnect power to the compressor when not wheeling. That way I don't accidently bump on the locker on the freeway.

Nitro Hotpants · 10-01-2004, 05:09 PM

i paid $1400 at drivetrain direct for my rear locker + compressor installed. im sure you could get it done cheaper elsewhere, but thats what i paid.

im sure someone will chime in and tell me i got ripped off, but its in the past, i dont really care anymore

ErikB · 10-04-2004, 09:10 AM

You want an RD89 for your PreRunner and yes, the ARB switch will fit in the Toyota knockout perfectly.

Turning the locker on accidentally (or on purpose) on the freeway, etc. will not cause any problems or scary conditions.

RedPrerunnerSR5 · 10-04-2004, 10:42 AM

Sweet, but I think that since there are two switches (compressor and locker) I might mount them in the knockouts next to the 2 outlets in front of the shifter. They are side by side and rotated 90CW in comparison to the RR DIFF Lock one on the dash, but same size as it. I was a little worried about putting them there being that my cd book or other object might slide forward and knock it, being that its at seat level, but since you said that it doesnt matter if they are accidentally activated, no worries. Thanks.

Steveh29 · 10-05-2004, 12:09 PM

That's what I did. I'll snap a picture of how I mounted mine if you like. I mainly see my switches turned on when I pick the truck up after service or a car wash. As I mentioned I bleed the air tank down and disconnect the compressor power so it doesn't matter if they're switched on. Even though it won't hurt anything I just don't want it getting bumped on during a turn!

RedPrerunnerSR5 · 10-05-2004, 01:57 PM

yeah a pic would be nice, just so I can see what it will look like to ensure that I want it there. i'm about 99% positive, but a little visual confirmation wouldnt hurt, if its not to much trouble.

Steveh29 · 10-31-2004, 09:30 PM

Here's a pic of my switches. Sorry for the late reply. I've been away on business and I'm just getting back to everything!

Steveh29 · 10-31-2004, 09:34 PM

By the way, I had to do a tiny bit of grinding with my Dremel tool to get the ARB switches to fit in the coin holder holes. Be careful you don't grind too much or they won't snap in the holes properly.

Flygtenstein · 11-01-2004, 07:09 AM

If you have the ARB compressor and locker, you cannot engage the locker without first engaging the compressor. Even if you are going down the road and your CD's fall on both switches, you will still not have any scary issues, I just mean to illustrate the chances of it happening are small and there is some safety built into the system.

10-01-2004, 03:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
saletel Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 106	i believe you have the 8.4" rear end which is the same as the tundra, tacoma (4x4 non e-locker equiped) and sequoia, and the 4th gen 4runners __________________ 97 limited. upgraded on a college budget... Slowly. e-locker traded for a 79 pick up. woooo

10-01-2004, 03:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nitro Hotpants Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 1,135	first off, good choice with the ARB. its a great unit what you are looking for is the air locker designed for the tacoma 8.4" differential. i dont remember the part # for that, its not the RD23 because thats the 8" one. call an off road shop or drivetrain shop around you and ask some questions. tell them you have the 8.4" or 8.25" rear diff. -Casey __________________ 2WD 4Runner with 4WD running gear SOME PICS!

10-01-2004, 03:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Steveh29 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 726	Can't answer your application question but I am very happy with my ARB locker. I do mostly street driving in my 4Runner and it's great. __________________ Steve 1995 4Runner - V6 - 5 Speed Rear ARB, Manual Hubs, Front TruTrac, Marlin Transmission, ARB Front & Sonoran Steel Rear bumpers that have saved my life!!

10-01-2004, 04:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
RedPrerunnerSR5 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Va Beach, Va Posts: 16	What is a median price for the ARB Air Locker for a Tacoma? Cause i'm seeing numbers way different from each other all around. From $650 to $808 to $940, and the $940 one said compressor sold separetly. Did you guys buy yours local or offline? If offline where from? This is my first truck, so I'm not sure where to buy parts from and all that yet. Also where did you guys mount the switch in your cab? Cause my prerunner has the little slot (has a little plastic filler piece in it) where the RR Diff Lock button would be if the truck had the e locker in it, and I was wondering if the switch would fit there? __________________ -Noah- 2001 Tacoma Prerunner SR5 4 Cylinder 2.7L

10-01-2004, 04:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Steveh29 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 726	I bought mine from All Pro Offroad. I pulled the diff out of my axle and brought it to them. They installed the diff parts - I installed the rest on my truck. I have a 2nd Gen 4 runner and mounted the switches (there are two - compressor and locker) on the center console behind the shifter where a couple of those coin holder trays were. Doing it over again I would buy some toyota factory switches and put them in the dash. I say this because too often things bump the switches turning them on. It's not that big a deal because I disconnect power to the compressor when not wheeling. That way I don't accidently bump on the locker on the freeway. __________________ Steve 1995 4Runner - V6 - 5 Speed Rear ARB, Manual Hubs, Front TruTrac, Marlin Transmission, ARB Front & Sonoran Steel Rear bumpers that have saved my life!!

10-01-2004, 05:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nitro Hotpants Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 1,135	i paid $1400 at drivetrain direct for my rear locker + compressor installed. im sure you could get it done cheaper elsewhere, but thats what i paid. im sure someone will chime in and tell me i got ripped off, but its in the past, i dont really care anymore __________________ 2WD 4Runner with 4WD running gear SOME PICS!

10-04-2004, 09:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
ErikB Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 82	You want an RD89 for your PreRunner and yes, the ARB switch will fit in the Toyota knockout perfectly. Turning the locker on accidentally (or on purpose) on the freeway, etc. will not cause any problems or scary conditions. __________________ - Erik '86 44runner, '97 T100, '97 4runner, '05 WR450 http://home.4x4wire.com/erik

10-04-2004, 10:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
RedPrerunnerSR5 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Va Beach, Va Posts: 16	Sweet, but I think that since there are two switches (compressor and locker) I might mount them in the knockouts next to the 2 outlets in front of the shifter. They are side by side and rotated 90CW in comparison to the RR DIFF Lock one on the dash, but same size as it. I was a little worried about putting them there being that my cd book or other object might slide forward and knock it, being that its at seat level, but since you said that it doesnt matter if they are accidentally activated, no worries. Thanks. __________________ -Noah- 2001 Tacoma Prerunner SR5 4 Cylinder 2.7L

10-05-2004, 12:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Steveh29 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 726	That's what I did. I'll snap a picture of how I mounted mine if you like. I mainly see my switches turned on when I pick the truck up after service or a car wash. As I mentioned I bleed the air tank down and disconnect the compressor power so it doesn't matter if they're switched on. Even though it won't hurt anything I just don't want it getting bumped on during a turn! __________________ Steve 1995 4Runner - V6 - 5 Speed Rear ARB, Manual Hubs, Front TruTrac, Marlin Transmission, ARB Front & Sonoran Steel Rear bumpers that have saved my life!!

10-05-2004, 01:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
RedPrerunnerSR5 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Va Beach, Va Posts: 16	yeah a pic would be nice, just so I can see what it will look like to ensure that I want it there. i'm about 99% positive, but a little visual confirmation wouldnt hurt, if its not to much trouble. __________________ -Noah- 2001 Tacoma Prerunner SR5 4 Cylinder 2.7L

10-31-2004, 09:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
Steveh29 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 726	Here's a pic of my switches. Sorry for the late reply. I've been away on business and I'm just getting back to everything! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Steve 1995 4Runner - V6 - 5 Speed Rear ARB, Manual Hubs, Front TruTrac, Marlin Transmission, ARB Front & Sonoran Steel Rear bumpers that have saved my life!!

10-31-2004, 09:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
Steveh29 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 726	By the way, I had to do a tiny bit of grinding with my Dremel tool to get the ARB switches to fit in the coin holder holes. Be careful you don't grind too much or they won't snap in the holes properly. __________________ Steve 1995 4Runner - V6 - 5 Speed Rear ARB, Manual Hubs, Front TruTrac, Marlin Transmission, ARB Front & Sonoran Steel Rear bumpers that have saved my life!!

11-01-2004, 07:09 AM	#14 (permalink)
Flygtenstein Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 4,246	If you have the ARB compressor and locker, you cannot engage the locker without first engaging the compressor. Even if you are going down the road and your CD's fall on both switches, you will still not have any scary issues, I just mean to illustrate the chances of it happening are small and there is some safety built into the system.

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