I have an 87 4Runner and the rear diff just started leaking. If I have to pull the axles and yank out the 3member I was thinking I might as well throw a cheap easy locker in it, somethings better than nothing..... Anyone know any junk yard pull hacks for later model electronic lockers? Also, is an 87 the 7.5" or 8" diff? Thanks.

 

Rear diff is 8 inch. A Toyota 8inch elocker will fit but requires some modifications to your axle housing. The modifications are pretty well documented do you should do some reading to make sure you can do the work.

 

awesome, so proof of concept: check. Will start googling. Thanks.

 

Ok, quick search and a junkyard pull is more than I'm ready to start, much less the gearing, stud adding, welding, ect......... So, the 300 dollar fix is all I'll be able to sell the wife on. I had a Detroit Limited Slip in an 85 XCab and didn't mind/notice the wheel chirp/clicking much. I don't do hard corps anything just hunting/fishing/camping mud on occations. Anyone have any experience with the cheap/easy lockers?

 

I have an Aussie in the rear of my 88 4Runner and I have nothing bad to say about it. It clicks in parking lots and around corners, and there is that rare occasion where a loud pop just about scare the crap out of me, but all part and parcel of an automatic locker. The Spartan seems to have a good reputation and if I were buying a lunchbox locker right now, I'd probably buy that one. The install of these lunchbox type lockers is really pretty easy. Since you said your diff is leaking, does that mean from the pinion seal? This is one of those rabbit hole kind of things. Some people have been able to just replace that pinion seal by leaving the diff in there, unstaking\removing pinion nut, changing seal, and then re-torquing the nut a little more thereby crushing the sleeve a bit more. That's the easy way for just the cost of a pinion seal. If you go further, that always leads me down a path of "while I have this out what else can I change\fix\upgrade"...axles will be out, so maybe new axle seals, and heck maybe new axle bearings, and maybe refresh that diff with a solid pinion spacer, tighten up the backlash...and I'll stop there, I know we've already gone way over that $300 budget.

 

Well, sometimes I sit around wishing for non-catastrophic rabbit hole to not so much fall into but step in......lol. Gives me excuses to embezzle a bit from my own paycheck a little, And it's a soft 300

 

FYI a limited slip is not a locker. It will not do the popping/banging because it's not locked. A limited slip does just what it says, limits slip. If one wheel is in the air a limited slip acts just like any open diff.

 

I like my Powertrax No-slip system locker. It's got a syncro device that holds it unlocked 'til the wheels are at the same speed again when making turns.

Once you learn to remove torque briefly at the start of a turn, it unlocks perfectly and very seldom skids a tire, or makes any noise.

They are a little more pricey than some of the less sophisticated lunchbox lockers, but I'm glad I laid out the dough for mine.

I may put one in my '88 BlueRunner too.

 

I daily drive a lockrite in the rear and once you get used to driving it and how it responds it is not bad. I have a twin stick and typically use 2wd low in parking lots so i dont have to touch the throttle. I bought mine for 150 bucks and just adapted my driving for it.