My wife's 4 runner has a rear dif lock and I can't figure out what type of locker it is. The owners manual doesn't say anything about it. Is it electronically engaged, air, hydraulically, centrifugally engaged? Anyone have a clue?

Thanks,

 

Electric.

 

Hello Keith, and welcome to the forums.
Your wife's rig has the Toyota Electric Locker. 2000 was the last year for it on the 4Runner, and is much coveted.

So coveted in fact many with older Toy's like I have will put one in the 3rd member back there. I have not done this mod yet, but might someday.

Matt (JX94148) on the forum has put one in his '87 truck.
It is a very good locker and is the same one also found in the Tacoma trucks.

 

Yup, electric. I've only used mine once. Not because I was stuck, but I couldn't resist trying it.

I think they use center-locking diffs for the 2001 and newer models. That's nice too, but I'm happy w/the rear lockers.

 

I love my factory toyota electric locker. It has came in handy many, many times. Espically when climbing up really steep inclines. I don't think I woulda had much of a chance without it.

 

sorry for the stupid question but what is a locker and what is it used for? i have a 96 limited, do i have one??...can anyone explain this to me?? thanks

 

Hey Clin,

I'm pretty sure you have it on the '96 Ltd. It should be the button to the bottom left of your steering wheel, next to your dimmer knob.

Your rear axle has what's called an 'open differential' in it. Open differentials allow the adjacent wheels to turn at different speeds. When you make a turn the inside tire turns slower than the outside one. The differential is what allows that to happen. If this didn't happen, you'd get one wheel dragging while turning, causing poor fuel economy, excessive tire wear and it's hard on your tranny, suspension, etc.

When you lock the diff, it will not allow the wheels to turn indpendently. They absolutely turn at the same speed. This is important for situations such as getting stuck. In that case an open differential is useless because it just lets the 'no traction' wheel spin freely and almost no torque goes to your other tire either. The locker makes them both spin slowly, but surely.

Read my 4WD article to shed a little light on how the system works. I have a bit of info in there about differentials.

http://www.hboss.net/4runner/a23jun02.htm

 

wow, hboss, that was pretty good explanation..but i've seen the button and i've tried pushin it, but it does'nt do anything...unless i'm doing something wrong.....thanks for the info tho!!!

 

Glad I could help.

DON'T push it during regular driving and do not drive over about 10 mph with it. Turning with the locker on, on dry pavement will not be good on your rear tires and suspension/drive components.

First, go somewhere that's not filled with traffic. Preferably off on some dirt-road or something.

To engage the locker, stop the vehicle and put it in neutral. Then shift the 4WD to 4-LO. You can push the locker button then and put it in drive or put it in drive (with your foot on the brake) and then press the locker button.

You should pretty much only use it if you're stuck and 4-Lo will not even get you out. Read your manual about it more too, that will help you out.

 

Speaking of differentials, I think I'll talk about them in my weekly article for next Sunday.

 

I was wondering whether anyone has actually swapped out complete rear axles i.e Tacoma 8.3 rear axle with the factory electric locker for their old 8.0 rear axle (79-95)? I have heard of swapping 3rd members, but not the whole axle. I am thinking of this as a future mod on my 94 DX V6 Extended cab.

 

The TRD Taacomas with the locker have the same 8.0 axle we do. The 8.4 ( I think it's acually an 8.25) Taco axle is open. However, ARB now makes an air locker for the 8.4 and TRD sells a limited slip for the 8.4 for about $700.

Pete