i would say for a DD that you won't be towing with, then 4.56's are nice. if you want more grunt, then 4.88's would be the ticket - or if you think you'd ever go to 295's or 315's - eventually...

 

The ARB/E-locker is without a doubt an ideal setup. I love the idea of a selectable, but the amount of scratch I'd have to dump into it to make it a reality for a couple trips a year at best is what bothers me.

 

hahah i wont want LX wheels i want black steelies when i upgrade tire size.

i wanna go up 1 more inch and add a locker for now... then add a winch as money comes rolling back in.

i am still pondering the locker setup, and though im leaning toward the affordable, im not ruling out the less affordable.

i will have to wait till the end of the summer if i was to do ARB, if i can find a cheap elocked rear end at a junkyard (i saw 4 results come up with no mention of a locker in that carparts search), then thatd be great.

as for gears, if i do upgrade itll be to 4.56 or 4.88, never to 4.30.

 

yep, but they're set up for the leaf springs. and you can't just drop in a new third member w/elocker as you'll have to modify stuff.

I dunno, maybe best to go with a lunchbox. Unless you can find both F/R axles for $300 like I did.

When I'm done it will cost me total:

$300 for both axles
$400 for mechanic to swap
-----
$700 Total

if I put a LSD in front, add on to that $500+

 

then save the time of retrofitting the e-locker and get NEW gears and lcoker when you can afford it.

OR get an m8000 first and wait unitl you have the $$$ for gears/ locker(s)

 

leaf springs are on the axle housing. the third member is removable from the housing. it's the same casting as the 4runner thirdmember. they are interchangable - as long as the housing will accept a e-locked third. he'll have to do a little grinding, drilling, tapping, and welding, to get it to work, but that's not all that bad.

you can't swap entire axles, but you can swap 3rd between tacos and runners.

 

We finally got Lee to do some work on his own truck for once, and that was swapping the TJM on, something tells me that he is not quite ready for grinding, drilling, welding, tapping, etc on a third, hell, I am not ready for that either, haha.
Although if he found a Taco rear, we could swap him over the leaf springs in the back, maybe some chevys...sweeeet!
Thats my boy!
For the record, with an automatic that you wheel, definitely go 4.88's when the time come, but really, that isn't what this thread is about.

 

If money is the main concern then check the auto ads. Look for '96, '97 or '98 Limited 4Runners. Most limiteds came with the e-locker and the early 3rd gens can be had for slightly over $5000. Wait for a good deal and buy the whole truck. Direct swap the whole rear axles and the front diffs. Re-sell the truck and maybe even make some money. The e-locker does nothing for the resale value since 98.5% of 4Runner owners don't even know what it does (the other 1.5% belong to Yotatech ). This will net you a locker and gears and you should be able to at least break even.

 

BWAHAHAHA

sorry, but youve never been to Brighton, MA have you?? not only do i not have any place to do this, but i have no where to keep the vehicle. plus if i had 5 grand to put into a new truck (even if it was to turn around and sell it), id buy arb's already and still have money left for tires!

 

thanks for the comments everyone.

i am 99% sure ill go with a lunchbox. it suits me in every way.. my only question now is how does it perform on the highway.

i am an experienced winter driver and can make changes to my habits if need be.. im not worried about that...

 

Space would be a concern if you don't live in a house. I'm not suggesting that the $5,000 is disposable income. A loan from parents, friends, bank, or savings if you have any. If you complete the swap in 30 days then you don't need to worry about insurance. There are a couple of us that have done this and made a profit by waiting for the right deal. It's like getting paid to get a locker and gears.

 

:pat: ok, check back in with this thread in about 18 months and see what's on your to-do list...

just having some fun w/ ya... good choice on getting a locker - PERIOD. at least now you'll be having some fun offroad instead of polishing your brush guard like you were this time last year...

 

You will not notice the Lockright on the highway at all...unless it is snow covered, then you will want to be in 4wd or sideways slides will be happening.

Good choice on the lockright. It is easy to spend other people's money...you will be more than happy with the performance of a lockright..and the savings will make you happier.

 

especially after you've already spent your OWN money on front and rear lockers...

 

locker or no locker, i have fun offroad!

 

and I have fun towing you out when you have two tires in the air, hahaha. You will love having a locker, regardless of which type you get.

 

cant wait

then comes spacers and bigger meats

paragon, here i come.

 

ditto on that. best mod you can ever do - even above the addition of a lift or larger tires. 99.9% of the time, if you have a locker - period - then you will go farther than an open rig with larger tires and more clearance.

 

time to muddy up the waters a bit...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=454114

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455333

 

Well, the first one I could use...hmm... but it may not work so well for Lee, the second is definitely an option, but still pretty expensive since you have to have it installed and get OBA.