AndyL

Hey folks,

Just curious, Looking at swapping a 96 4runner axle into the 87 (to get the e-locker etc)

Besides the obvious (ie spring perches) and wiring fun with the e-locker, is there anything else to look out for if I'm go ahead with this swap?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Probably less work to modify the housing you have to fit the e-locker:
- http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/electric_locker/

Or find a Tacoma w/ e-locker axle, but you can modify the 4R axle with spring perches, e-brake cable brackets, etc.

crolison

i would go with a taco axle if you were going to swap i out.

dirtoyboy

Might need some spacers in the front to compensate for the width.....

AxleIke

The 96 axle is wider. You will need spacers up front to get it to drive well on the road.

89silverpu

And by the time you buy, or even find a tacoma rear axle with an elocker and then go throught the process of swapping it, it might be cheaper to just buy an e locker for your current rear axle and have it installed, I think they make them for the first gen, just an idea

AxleIke

No, they don't make elockers for a first gen, but you can easily put one in, as stated before. elockers can be had for 300 bucks, and only minor cutting and welding is needed. It is a very easy install.

AndyL

Ok, Obviously I dont have my years right - when did toyota switch to discs on the rear? That was part of my reasoning - but after verifying this axle doesn't have rear discs... What year did they appear?

Yes I know I can retrofit one in, I don't see adding spring perches and ebrake cable brackets as a big challenge, but modifying the housing to accept a e-locker is a bigger project.

Here's where I'm looking at it from, if I can swap axles to get 4.88s, elocker, and rear discs; then I'm still in the same ballpark as the price to upgrade my existing axle with the same (and the bonus part is retaining OEM parts compatibility - without having to try to keep track of what mismatch created the conversion parts

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Making a housing fit an e-locker involves cutting or grinding out one notch, welding a bolt hole or two shut and drilling/tapping another couple of holes.



Cutting off coil spring hardware and welding up perches (and getting the pinion angle set right) seems like a lot more work to me. Also, depending on the e-brake setup on the new axle, you may need to adapt your existing e-brake cable to work.

I guess take your choice.

AxleIke

Can't help you there. I never knew toyota ever went to rear disks. But, if they did, it would be after 2002. For tacoma's, after 2004.

I seriously doubt you will ever find a 4.88 geared late model axle. Too much power in the new engines. Toyota put stock 4.88's in underpowered trucks with 31" tires. With powerful v6's and v8's, i'd be suprised to find 4.10's.

As for welding spring perches, and what not, its not hard, but its alot harder than retrofitting an elocker. In discussing welding perches on, it sounds easy, but its very tedious, precise work.

Anyway, good luck. Look for wrecked 4th gen 4runners if you feel they have rear disks.

You will need wheel spacers up front.

89silverpu

Thanks I wasn't 100% sure they did

AxleIke

Wasn't bashing you, just correcting. And the install is so easy it may as well be a factory part.

tc

Landcruisers may have 4.88, elocker, and rear disc ... but you're talking WIDE...

AxleIke

And the rear diff isn't centered. Also doubtful on the 4.88.

M threezy

What would it take to fit a 99 Tacoma axle with elocker on to my 88 4runner V6? Or would you recommend pulling the locker out and installing it in the current 4runner axle?

TIA!

tc

IMHO, it is easier to mod your housing to fit the elocker than to try and swap the whole shebang

M threezy

Bumping this to see if anyone has done this. Looking to pick up a whole complete rear 97 4runner axle with e-locker and swapping it on my 88 4runner.

Exactly, how hard is it welding new perches and all that to get it to fit? I could just pull it apart and use the 3rd with e-locker and sell the axle.

Is a 3rd gen 4runner axle/axle housing worth anything?

tc

Several people have reported that they didn't need to weld the pad on theirs.

The 3rd gen housing is set up for links and coils, but the locations aren't that good, so, no, it's only worth something to someone who bent theirs...

M threezy

I hope not! Can any that has done this swap confirm not needing to weld a pad?

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

your 4Runner has leaf spring, a 97 4Runner has coil springs. How could not need to weld new spring pads on? (unless someone converted the donor '97 to leaf)

consider reading the Pirate 4x4 FAQ: http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=459180

and look at at source like ORS for your wiring...