GV27

Hi guys,

I'm planning to swap an e-locker rear axle (whole thing rather than modifying for a locker 3rd) into my '98 Runner. I've done a lot of searching but I'm not entirely clear on a couple of things.

1) A Taco rear-end won't just swap in - it would need (at a minimum) spring pans welded on, right? I've seen a couple of threads that seemed to imply a Taco rear end would work without modification, but I can't see how.

2) Were all stock 3rd-gen Runner e-locker 3rds 4.3:1? I've been looking at car-part.com and they list 4.1, 4.3 and 4.56 with the locker. But if you look at the listings, the descriptions for the other ratios say nothing of the locker (dunno how their search engine works) and are ~$250 - $300 cheaper. OTOH, all - most anyhow - of the 4.3 listings actually say "locker". I'm not particular on the gearing (though 4.56 is probably too low) as I'll need/want to regear from my 3.9 - it's wrong for my 31s anyhow. 4.3 sounds good, but I think a 4.1 would be "correct" with my tire size/speedo gearing and I wouldn't mind saving $300. That would nearly buy me a properly geard 3rd to stick up front.

3) If anyone knows of a good one at a good price in the Denver/Front Range area let me know. I'm in the market. The YotaYard is on car-part.com with about the same pricing as everyone else (~$750). I need to call Yoda Jim here soon, but if anyone knows a better source I'd love to hear it.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

4byrunner

The Tacoma rear axle would need, at the least, coil pans added on and a place for the pan hard bar to be attached as well. I'd just stick with getting a 4runner rear end so there is no guess work and there is no refunds if the Taco axle doesn't work perfectly, you'd have to sell it yourself and you may take a loss doing so.

Good luck

paddlenbike

iTrader: (1)

1) No, it won't directly swap.
2) Most auto V6s were 4.30, manual V6s were 4.10 and some of the 4 cylinder models got 4.56, all e-locker.

brian2sun

By far, most of the factory elocked 4runners axles you'll find will be 4.30. I've heard of some in 4.10, but I think they are pretty few and far between. I haven't ever heard of anyone with a factory elocker and any other ratio other than those. So if you have 3.91s you'll need to regear the front diff too (assuming you are 4x4).

I would make sure of what gears you have now by doing the spin test (if you haven't already), because the online gear code charts can be contradicting and wrong. Either 4.10s or 4.30s will be fine with your 3.4/manual/31s. The difference is probably less than 100 rpms at 60 mph.

Clownmeat

I found a couple 4runner complete locking rear axles for about $400 each. They told me they are both 4.30's and I have 4.10's so I'm just going to swap my ring and pinion in it.

GV27

Yeah, that's pretty much what I've gathered - they do exist in other ratios but other than 4.30 is rare. The car-part.com search is off somehow, or at least not searching the way I was thinking. I think it's showing me that there aren't any lockers around in 4.1, but they DO have axles that would fit in a truck that had another ratio locker originally.

I have 3.91 now. I think 4.10 would be correct with the bigger tires I'm running, but 4.3 isn't a lot of difference.

Looks like the going rate around here is $750 or so, but that's just those that are in their database. I know of at least a couple places that aren't in there that would have one, but I bet they'll be similar in price. They almost always are. Sure would be nice to find one for $400, Clowny. I may try some pick-n-pull places. I haven't had any time to go spend a day poking around yet.

Thanks guys,

Chris