Stump1883

Okay I know this is really a stupied question at it' roots, but I just need to know the real world apliction of the E-locker. In my mind, you are rendered unstopable off-road with the e-locker. But how often do you really run into terrain where you NEED the locker. Will an open diffed 4Runner get me as far as I want to go or will I find my elf yurning for the lokcer. I hae a chance at purchasing a locked Runner, along way away from home, or finding a regular 4WD near home.

I know the first question will be, "well what kind of wheeling are you alkng about", so I'm talking about trails with alot of deep mud holes, a few creek crossings, and dry portions all mixed in on a singel average trail.

Sorry if this seems stupid but I need to know if searching and hunting for the rare e-locker equiped 4Runner is worth the effort and trouble or would I be just as happy and capeable of doing evrything open diffed.?

Thanks in advance.

denverbikeguy

Locked runners are less rare than you think - I'd say at least 50% of the ones I've seen in CO have that feature. As for when you need it... First off, the 4runner will drive over damn near anything unless you high center. I've driven up the side of mountains (literally) without using the locker. However if you find yourself in a situation where one wheel has less traction than the other and the front can't grab, the locker will get you going.

You won't use it all the time, especially with easy to moderate off roading (go crawling and you will need one), but it's such a cheap option especially in the used rigs, that if you can get it, do it. It's better to have that in your back pocket when you need it, than to be spinning your tires on some remote mountain road somewhere thinking "man if I had a diff lock I would be so much happier right now". Think about it.

rimpainter.com

I have had both (well sort of).

A locked 98 4X4 Tacoma, and now a 96 Runner.

I can tell you right now that the locked Tacoma would trounce my Runner off-road. The biggest factors were 2 things:

1. Whooptee-do's
2. Confidence factor

I was much more confident knowing I had a locker to get me out or through just about anything. That may sound funny, but its true. I just wont take my Runner where I took my Tacoma. That's all there is to it. When I went wheeling with friends in my locked Tacoma, I would kick their butts in many situations. They all had open diffed rides such as Heeps, etc.

I would definetly get a locked Runner if I had a choice.

data

I say get one with a locker. I use the hell out of mine. Sometimes, I'd try some of the harder trails w\o the locker and I stood no chance. Locked it, and I shot right up the trail.......Maybe the locker is one contributing factor to some of my dents, Oh its only a level 4 Well maybe if I could drive that might also help out a little

Mad Chemist

Ditto. I've climbed up hills that rigs looking soooo much meaner than mine sat at the bottom and spun their wheels. You won't use it all the time, but if given the option to get it, I'd say get it. I managed to get a 4-runner with the locker before I even knew what the hell a locker was. After getting stuck in the snow, it took a couple of jeepers to explain to me what the RR DIFF LOCK button was for, and I've been into off-roading ever since.

Denk

Question: Do you use the locker in conjuction with the 4WD or is it just one or the other?

rimpainter.com

In conjunction.

Mad Chemist

The way its wired with stock vehicles, the locker can only be engaged when in 4-lo. There are mods (see tech section) which allow locker to be engaged in other circumstances.

Mad Chemist

Hey Denk,

On an unrelated subject, we're getting a Washington 4-runner owners club together, check out the washington link in the 4ROC forum. We'll be having our first meeting in a couple of weeks to work out some details.

Chanson88

If you asking yourself if you will need a locker to get where you want to go, that is a pretty good indication that you would be a lot happier if you had one.

Denk

Hey Chemist...been following along...sounds like a great idea. Been tryin to get out for the thursday night runs.

Mad Chemist

Good deal. I've been on so many different 4ROC threads that its hard to remember who's seen it and who hasn't. Hopefully see you soon on one of the Thurs. runs- July 10th will be next run.

Denk

while we're at it...can 2nd gens be retrofitted with the e-locker? Is that a pricey thing to do. Or is it better to have, say an ARB air locker?

Mad Chemist

They can be retrofitted (I think the writeup is in the tech section), but not real easily.