Is the Toyota OEM locker a good choice for serious offroad explorations? How does it compare to say a lockright? I have a situation where I can purchase the OEM toyota locker for a little more than a lockright. Opinions welcome.
Thank you
-Chad
Here is a schematic of the oem locker:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...=6&catalogid=1

 

I'm on my second Taco with the OEM locker. I flogged the first one quite a bit w/o breakage, a good unit IMO. I would recommend it

 

the toyota oem locker is cool, however it has 1 weakness in my opinion, the actuator is huge and sticks out..... several companies do make a skidplate for it though so it wont get hung up on anything..... the performance from all i have seen is flawless on it.... what vehicle will you be putting the e-locker in? you must make sure that it is compatible first.... they are not a direct swap into the older vehicles but can easily be put in after modifying the housing a little bit and the tacomas that were not equipped with the e-locker had a whole different sized axle

 

***I am not an expert at what part will fit what by any means.***

The information I have learned is that the E Locker will not work with a Non E Locker axle. You will also have to work with the wiring harness...

I am going with the Lockrite in my truck.

 

that is why i said what i said above.... the e locker will work in a non e locker equipped truck if the housing is modified via this writeup: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/electric_locker/ dealing with the harness is an easy fix, tons of companies sell kits to deal with this issue

the elocker from a toyota 8" will not work in a tacoma that was not equipped with an elocker

 

Thanks, learn something new everyday!

 

What ever happened to the writeup in the tech section about retrofiiting the e-locker? From what I understand, the non equipped 4runners can be retrofitted with the e-locker without having to modify the housing? I asked this before but no one seemed to know.

 

only trucks with the T100 style rear end can't be retrofitted with the locker(non TRD tacomas, T100, tundra). the 4runner has always used the standard 8" rear end, and therefore can be modified to run the e-locker. non-trd tacomas have a T100 style rear end, while the TRD trucks have a standard 8" equipped with the locker.

 

ironmike4x4, i have enver heard that the locker could be outfitted into an 8" without modification in a truck that didn't already have an elocker......

 

I know we are talking about the trucks but I was thinking about the 3rd Gen 4Runner. I don't know that's just why I'm asking. I would figure since it was an 8" it should go right in but then again I don't know.

 

if it is any 8" rear that was not equipped with an elocker, the housing needs to be modified

 

Simple enough answer, thanks again Jim.

 

I always wondered about the e-locker in wet and muddy conditions. Noticed that Downey now sells a cable to manually actuate the e-locker. Of course, you have to dump the electrics.

 

For what it's worth guys, I just decided to buy the lockright. It's going in tommorow night. Good info fella's but even w/ a massive toyota oem discount I still couldn't justify the pain in the ass install and the price difference. Thanks anyhow.