How do you go about finding an Elocked Manual 4Runner. I am in the Market. Would it be easier to just buy one and put it in?

 

I think Limiteds came with a locker, and an auto trans.

So at least you'd have a locker.

 

Not all LTD's came locked, but a lot of them did. However, they didn't come in manual.

I had to fly to San Diego just to get a manual non-e-locked 4Runner. I then purchased a donor vehicle some time later and swapped out the diffs of both vehicles, front and rear, so I could get the locker (and 4.30 gearing in the process). It took a fair amount of work obviously to do all that. If you can find a manual e-locked 4Runner from the get-go, do it. They are rare, but they exist.

If you'll settle for an auto, you'll have your pick pretty much.

 

First of all, e-lockers were only available from 1996-2000. That should help tighten up the search parameters some. Retrofitting an e-locked diff is not a simple plug and play option. Read this for some insight on what it takes.

 

Its not hard at all to find a taco with a v6 5-speed and elocker

 

I had the same issue. I wanted a 5-speed with diff lock. There are a ton of 4Runners in Colorado, so it was just a matter of time. I found that every one I looked at that had a diff lock also had leather. It seems that a lot of dealers just ordered all the Limited options with some 5-speeds. (I think all 1996-2000 Limiteds had the diff lock, but all are also automatics.)

90% of the people I talked to on the phone that had a 4Runner for sale had no idea what a diff lock is.

 

OK-- will give that a try--i guess i will have to just start calling and asking. Do they use Salt in CO on the roads during the winter?

 

Unfortunately, Colorado switched from mostly sand to mostly mag chloride and salt about five years ago. I have two '97's, and both show a little rust underneath and on the trailer hitches. Not as bad as what I would expect from a midwest vehicle, but they have only been salting for the last five years or so.

Scratch CO off your list as a place to get a rust free vehicle. My trusted mechanic confirmed this a few weeks ago when he showed me the extra long breaker bar he had to get since bolts are more rusted on than they used to be!

 

I ended up just buying an axle with the elocker in it from a wrecked 4runner (5spd manual). It's now waiting to be installed.

I had looked all over and had a difficult time trying to find a 4runner with the diff. lock in it. So I just bought what was avaible and I'm going to make the correct changes to it.
(you want to buy my 4runner with the uninstalled axle )





"just kidding"

 

The e-locker I have was a score off of e-bay.

Then just did the axle housing mods, made my own manual cable shift, and just in time for hunting season, next week.

So you might have to dig up a locking 3rd, or dig up an entire rear axle with a locker.

Also you may have to swap the front diff, or diff gears to match the rear locking 3rds gearing

It will all depend on what gearing you have and what gearing the the e-locker has, and what kind of shape it's gears are in, or what gearing you want.

 

i got a 96 sr5 manual and it has the e locker... works pretty well too...

 

The gears wouldnt be a problem because i will be changing them to 5.29's anyways and going to 35's. I wouldnt mind finding a whole rear E-locker though--and then just making the switch. Actually rebuilding--installing a free floating bearing system (Chunks), Atlas T-case (is that over doing it?), and maybe messaging my engine to put into the new 4Runner, armour....etc.

Just hope the front holds up to running 35's