scrpydoo8

So I haven't read much of this here on Yotatech, but have read about it in toyota-4runner.org.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...rust-thru.html

I noticed the smell of gear oil coming from my 99 4Runner a few months ago, and some specs of oil on my bumper and hitch. I then saw that my axle housing was leaking. I tried tightening up the drain plug, but it was tight as could be.

I then saw the thread above on toyota-4runner.org and wondered if that was the problem. I took a screwdriver and started chipping off some rust, and the leaking started getting worse, so i stopped for obvious reasons.

I've always known my truck was pretty rusty, the East Cleveland snowbelt is no place to buy a vehicle if you don't want to deal with rust, but i had no idea it would rust completely through an axle housing. Pretty crazy.

Pic of my rusty, leaky housing on my truck today.


As you can see a very ugly scene.

I then started looking for a replacement, and thought, why not get a locker? I did some studying and found this site, and got myself a nice used Axle Assembly with 4.10 gears and E-Locker from Washington State (read no salt) for $691 shipped, which i think is a pretty good deal.

And it showed up today


E-locker goodness.


Checked out the brakes and painted them up a little.


Then i cleaned up, sanded and rattle-canned the hell out of the housing.


Pretty ain't she?

the Runner should go up on stands tomorrow or the next day as i tear out the old axle, and start the big work.

Also on the way is the Electric Locker Control Kit, as well as the factory wiring harness. I'm not completely sure if I have all the parts that I need, but i think it's a good start.

Nelsonmd

Very nice find. I did the same thing, paid $725 shipped for a full e-locked 4.3 assembly minus the brakes. You got a good deal.

Good luck with the swap. It is good to see others doing this as well.

scrpydoo8

Yeah, prices for the 4.3's are about the same as what you paid, luckily, or unluckily i have the 4.10.

Did your 4Runner originally have the locker? or did you retrofit it like me? If so how did you do the wiring? I figured going with the Control Kit from Inchworm Gear

http://www.inchwormgear.com/store/pr...products_id=36