Hi all, today i went to the mechanic to remove the front differential lock and count its' threads in order to buy the appropriate Richmond locker, and after removing the steel protection i found that there is something mounted on it that i did not see in other same model runners. this (thing) is connected with 2 vacuum 1/4 inch hose and 2 electrical wires.
knowing that the mechanic had no previous experience with these SUV's he did not know what it was.
Kindly see the attached photo.
My 4runner is a 93 model, 4wd manual transmission.
Thanks in advance.

 

No, that is your ADD actuator- automatic differential disconnect

 

Yeah dont break that actuator. You'll lose 4wd!

 

Thank you for your fast reply.
But what does it do? and why disconnect the 4wd?

 

Its slides a little shaft over the axles thus doing the job of the locking hubs. Its actuated by air pressure and those two wires actually turn on the 4wd drive light in your dash. It took the place of the aisin locking hubs.

 

I need to install a front diff auto lock, and the most reliable way to be sure what type to order (i'm in Lebanon and want to order the part from USA), is to count the ring threads. i read that the color code is not 100 per cent accurate.
Please advise.

 

You mean that i do not need to install a lock.
Sorry but i am new to this and don't want to mess things up.

 

no, no
disconects one shaft from the diff so it loses traction and the diff spins open and you can turn around in corners when driving on the street on 2wd

in 4wd reconects the shaft to the diff and you have traction BUT it is still an open-diff so if you loose traction one wheel just spins and the other one stops

so just get your locker for any 86-95 toyota pick up/4runner 7.5 ifs diff

(if I'm wrong with this last fact please correct me)

 

Again, a locker for any 86-95 7.5" IFS differential is what you want.

I don't know who told you to count the threads on anything, but they were wrong.

BTW, the ring doesn't have threads anyway, it has teeth. And it DOES NOT matter how many teeth it has when installing a Richmond locker. Because there's only ONE locker made by Richmond that will fit your front axle.

TOYOTA 7.5 IFS Powertrax Lock-Right® PT-1611

 

Thanks a lot man, you saved me a lot of time and money.
http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/
This is the link where i read to count the teeth of the ring.
thanks again.

 

To find the gear ratio, yes. But that has nothing to do with the auto locker.

And why you wouldn't check the axle code first is beyond me.

I'll also bet you cash money that the paint color code is accurate. I've never seen one that wasn't...

 

I wanted to check the color code but in the same site they said it's not 100% accurate even though it's lot easier than removing the diff cover.
Anyway, i dismantled the axle and took a photo and what i found is a small touch of yellow paint on the nut. See attached photo.

 

I think they were relating to the fact that if someone did a swap that the only 100% positive way to check the gear ratio is to count the teeth. In general I cant see why you would need to know the gear ratio for that locker anyways.

I personally like the LSD front diff swap as the link in my signature says. Keeps the front end from being 100% locked and locks up when you need it. I dont know how good it is on rocks but my supra sure does like to burn both tires off lol ...... hmmm..... new project idea.... supra.... with .....44's..... and v8 lexus.....twin turbo.... yummm.....drool!

 

That nut is supposed to be like that. The crimp helps to keep the nut from vibrating loose, and the yellow paint means it was inspected. That's all factory work there. Sounds like you aren't too familiar with working on vehicles? Pick yourself up a shop book from a parts store like Autozone. It will help you out greatly.

 

Um, if he's actually in Beirut, there's no autozone for about...7,000 miles, short way around.
Can probably find one online though, or try downloading FSM from right below this... \/ \/ \/

 

I've only seen 8" rear differentials with colored paint on the end of the pinion. Never on 7.5" front differentials. So you'll probably find whatever color the paint code is by looking for it on your rear axle, NOT your front axle.

Looks like this...

 

The boys already told me what locker type to buy, tomorrow i will order the Richmond locker on the internet, my brother already found a site that delivers to Lebanon and installed it on his suzuki goat and advised it is the best, should be delivered in one month.
As for the LSD swap, we here don't have that option, maybe i'll find one but i have to really look for, maybe i'll find one and maybe not, so i'll go with the locker.

 

Thank you all guys for this useful amount of info, you've been a great help for me, i'm new to this stuff but hope that i will learn fast.
Just FYI, i bought my 93 manual transmission 4runner for 7000 USD, and as i read on this and other sites, you in the US can buy one between 500 and 2000 USD, is it true??? Come on, it's not fair))

 

Well, 500 for a nonrunner. 3000 is about right for a decent condition 4runner in my area. You're gonna need to post some trail picks, or off-road trip pictures at some point, middle east is a beautiful place.

Sent from my LG-P505 using YotaTech

 

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