My friend recently purchased a 1997 auto v6 4runner that he plans on doing minor mods to, in order to increase its offroad ability. Possible mods include a 3" cornfed spacer lift with diff drop, slightly larger tires, and a rear locker. I have searched for axle information pertaining to his year and model, but have come up short. Is it a standard 8" v6 diff or do they use something special? One idea was to get a trd elocker and add it to his differential, but i understand gearing may be a problem with this setup. I think he would also consider a lucch box locker if any were available. Any information on the topic or hearing from someone who has done the elocker swap would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

Use the search button for the e-locker swap. welcome to YT

 

alright well i did end up finding several writeups on the elocker conversion. This project looks like it might be alittle bit more time and $$$ then my friend may be up for. As for lunch box lockers, will any locker for the v6 8" diff work?
Thanks

 

i'd be interested in finding out more about this topic as well. i just got a 95.5 taco with stock diff and i'd like to upgrade to a locker setup. more info would be greatly appriciated!

 

IMHO pay the extra $$ for a Detroit locker and forgo the drop in lockers. I've had both and prefer the street manners of the Detroit to the drop in Quick Lock I had. Off road both were great but my Quick Lock would lock and unlock unpredictably on the street but I had no issues like that with the Detroit.
Drop in styles are cheaper and can be done yourself with basic hand tools, and are fine as long as you don't mind their lesser performance on road. But that's just my experience.

 

Having a cracking noise and feel with my Detroit EZ locker, the whole 4runner shakes violently when it happens. It happens in a straight line on pavement or gravel once every 1/4 mi. I took it back out and rechecked everything and It all seemed fine. Detroit didn't return any calls. I had a Lockrite in my jeep and never a problem after I replaced all of the mounts. I would only go full Detroit, no EZ crap.

 

To answer your question, yes, your 4Runner uses a standard V6 8" differential in the back.

Non-trd Tacomas use a 8.4" differential that is NOT the standard 8".