There is certainly quite a bit of info in here on rear lockers but I am looking for opinions on what folks regard as the best manual real locker.
I will certainly be adding a rear locker to my 4Runner and I was leaning towards a factory e-locker like I had on my '03 Taco. That thing was really great but I recall that Downey (I think) made a cable system to replace the factory e-locker actuator and the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of a cable.
Are there any 3rd Gen 4Runners out there with factory lockers that are cable operated?
Is there a better alternative?
All opinions welcome.
Thanks,
Mike

edited to add that I am not really keen on an air-operated solution.

 

I have never seen anyone satisfied with the Downey cable conversion, poor fit and finish and just overall bad news.

ARB lockers have established themselves as reliable and trail worthy. I have two and love them.

 

ARB.

Gadget

 

ARB is a better option than a factory e-locker?

 

They're about the same from what I can gather. Both have their problems (very few and far between, however) E-locker being electrical problems and the ARB having trouble with air hoses or compressors. Both are full spool when locked and essentially are the same off-road. ARB however is you best bet for the front since Toyota didn't offer a front locking diff.

 

ARB. I don't have one cause they are so dam expensive but (according to a company profile) they have NEVER warrantied a locking mechanism. Warrantied actuators, compressors, and other parts, but never had to actually replace a locking mechanism. If youy get an ARB, it'll be the strrongest piece on the truck.

Most problems are air line related so just make wure you get you some really good lines. I mean, your paying 600+ for each locker, what's 100 or so more for SS braided lines???

On the other hand, I have no idea but I'm thinkin' factory e-lockers are more expensive. I dono for sure though.

 

ARB. the e-locker is nice when it comes in the truck stock, its a great unit. but the ARB is also a very strong unit. ive had mine for almost a year and its worked whenever ive needed it. plus shops will more likely be willing to install an ARB rather than retrofit an e-locker because ARBs are meant to be installed aftermarket, and e-lockers came from the factory.

but who am i to say dont bother messing with factory parts if they weren't installed there in the first place?

-Casey

 

ARB all the way.

I was too cheap to buy one so I have my detroit in the rear. Works for me, except when it snows.

 

if you can deal with the mods you have to do the housing, and don't mind 4.10, 4.30 or 4.56 gears the e-locker is a better deal. otherwise, the price is about the same total if i'm not mistaken.

a nice thing about the e-locker though is that it can be manually actuated if the motor fails, and doesn't need constant air pressure like an ARB.

also, there is a front factory locker, but you need a straight axle as it's a hi-pinion diff from an fj80

 

ARBs front & rear

 

I've got an e-locker. The total install cost, including third member and new axle seals and bearings (why not?), was less than $600. You can also put an e-locker third in a front 8" axle, with the same modifications to the housing as required in the rear.

 

Did you do this yourself or pay someone? Please provide any details that you can.
Thanks,
Mike

 

what about OX lockers? anybody use those?

 

ox lockers are only available for a few domestic axles(44 and 60 i believe), theyre very expensive and i've heard not many people are satisfied with them

would be nice to see the detroit electrac or auburn ected come out for a toyota applicaton though. they are a limited slip when disengaged, and a full spool while engaged

 

I wasn't really talking about price wise, but yes you can get the e-locker for a lot cheaper if you look around. And I do realize that you can get a locker for the 8" front diff, but I don't think he was really wanting to change out the 7.5". You do raise some very good points however. I actually wasn't even thinking about switching out the 7.5" for the 8", even though I know you can. Might be an idea to toy with.

 

You're right. I didn't think about the 7.5" front diff. No e-locker for the front unless you do a solid axle swap.

 

In the case of both the OX and Detroit Elec-Trak, they replace the differential cover with the mechanics. Since Toyotas are a third member setup, there is no feasible way of building either of these lockers for Toyotas or Ford 9" (so I'm double screwed too).

 

Both the e-locker and ARB are great units.

I went with the e-locker on this rig because total install for the rear was less than $500 (my brother and I did the retrofit). There's a write-up with cost breakdown on my site.

It seems to come down to whether or not you can do your own work. If you can do the retrofit yourself then the e-locker is a hell of a deal. If you have to pay someone to do it then it's almost the same price as the ARB and then it's a toss-up.

 

I did the install myself, including building a controller. There are several web sites that detail the housing modifications that are needed, and the e-locker wiring. I even did all the rear axle mods without removing the axle housing from the truck...I'm not sure that I would do it that way again. It saves time, but is murder on your back since you are bending over a lot!