I have a 2003 tacoma, non trd. I really want the manual locking rear differential on my truck. Would it be farely easy to buy a trd rear locking differential from a junk yard an put it on my tacoma. I was thinking about buying the whole rear axle and replacing it with my rear axle? Is this crazy?

 

No its not crazy, But if you can actually find a locked axle, Your going to need the elocker computer and actuator as well.

 

So is that where this would get difficult then?(elocker comp, actuator) As far as wiring and installing these?

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/e...rd-gen-151537/

try this one i didnt read through but it should help

 

I dont think it be too dificult, But ive never done it. I hate wiring too

 

You need the actuator for sure, but you can hook it up without the e-locker computer. In my opinion, it would be easier, and not a big difference in price, to put in an ARB air locker and compressor instead, then you end up with a better locker.

 

ARB better than the toyota elocker?? I dunno about that. With the manual selector kit, the elockers more reliable than the complicated ARB, no?

 

Yes. One would think that a totally manual locker would be more reliable than anything that has switches, motors, compressors, etc... I hadn't seen that he wanted to convert the e-locker to a manual actuator... why are we all talking about wiring and the e-locker computer at all, then?

I will stand by the fact that an ARB locker would be more reliable than the Toyota e-locker in its stock form. The e-locker actuator is problematic and seems to require frequent periodic maintenance to keep it working properly... at least in the east coast Canadian environment, anyways.

 

Well, he never said anything about the manual actuator, I just kinda threw it in there. If I was doing an elocker axle swap on my truck, that's how I would do it, rather than getting all the elctronics and such...

 

I re-read the first post and saw "I really want the manual locking rear differential"... now I'm not sure...

 

lol, I didn't even think of it like that...am I amazing or what?

 

I feel the e-lockers are better and more reliable. In a pinch, if the motor goes out you can unlock/lock it by hand. If your ARB gets a leak or anything, you are stuck with an open diff....

Plus I trust wiring more then air lines

 

I think downey makes a elock eliminator kit or something..

 

Yeah i was reading you guys go back and forth remembering back to earlier when the dude said "manual blah" and was like, Maybe he just used the wrong term.

 

Just my opinion but if I was going to the trouble to install an elocker then there is no way that I would use a piece of crap cable to lock and unlock it. Isn't the "e" the best part of an elocker?

I put two of them in my 85 4Runner and control them with an FZJ80 elocker ECU and switch. You might read this thread if you want to get an idea of what's involved:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota...-switches.html

There are links in that thread to people that have done the rear only retrofit on Tacomas and newer 4Runners. Also lots of good info on alternatre control possibilities.

 

Not when it gets gunked up with mud sand water etc.. and ruins the actuator and no more elocker till you replace that...

 

hah, Wow, If your anywhere around socal. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f11/...r-axle-166689/ just came up tonight !!

 

I've seen that happen to a couple but something must have happened to the seal on the actuator or they managed to get the breather connection underwater. The brand new, out of the box factory units are completely sealed. At least mine were.

 

I agree! I put one in my '85 pick-up, and making the harness and circuit was pretty easy. And on a newer truck (like yours), I believe most of the wiring is already there.

And if installed properly, you really shouldn't have an issue with the electric actuator. They are sealed pretty well.