What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

I’m having a hard time finding e-locker axle shafts. The Toyota scrappers around here want too much for a set of e-locker axle shafts, and I’m not finding any 1996-2000 Limited 4Runners. I checked out a 1997 Limited 4Runner today but I soon learned only the 4x4’s had it.

Has anyone done Chromoly or other aftermarket axle shafts for an e-locked axle? Might be cheaper viable option.

EDIT: apparently this thread has conflicting opinions, I can use a non e-locker ABS shaft on an e-locked axle?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/will-8-4-axle-shafts-swap-into-an-8-e-locker-axle.276202/

That Limited 4Runner I checked out was an ABS equipped axle, however it wasn’t e-locked. Can I use those axle shafts?

 

No

 

This is how I did mine:
I 3D printed a seal driver
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2207359



And this is how I got the old seals out

 

Love it!

 

Good idea for removing the old seal. I got the driver side out with a new seal puller but the passenger side is being stubborn. I'll give the C-clamp a try.

 

Did you swap in an elocker housing? All you need is abs shafts, regardless of if you have abs or not.

 

Yes, I will be swapping in an e-locker housing. So any ABS axle shaft will work regardless if it had an e-locker or not?

I’m looking at these axles shafts from a 1997 4Runner. NON E-Locked axle, however it is ABS equipped.

 

Yes, that's correct. This is the driver side axle shaft I just pulled for new bearings from my 1999 e-locker equipped, non-ABS axle. Note the tone ring. I have plugs in the ABS ports instead of the sensors.

 

That’s exactly what I wanted to know, thanks. I’ll go and buy those 4Runner axle shafts then.

 

Yes, except for the wheel bearings changed slightly in 01, not sure when the same change was done on the 4runners. Depending on how much the yard wants for them, you can also buy new chromoly shafts for about $150 a piece.

 

I wouldn’t mind buying new chromoly axle shafts either. Can I reuse my 8.0” backing plates and brakes or do I need the 8.4” backing plates and brakes?

Junkyard wants $40 a piece. It’s a chain junkyard so all the prices are standard. Meanwhile ToyAuto Mart in Sacramento want $375 per axle shaft.

 

Everything else should swap over.

 

So the backing plates and drums/brakes are identical between the 8.4” non-ABS and 8.0” ABS? My original axle is non-ABS

 

As long as they're both pre '01 yes, I believe so. The outer seal also changed in '01.

 

Cool, that works nicely. The yard is going to charge like $50 for the drums.

So you originally used non-e-locked axle shafts in your truck?

 

The shafts are the same between 3rd members. Only difference is ABS or Non, and 95-00 and 01-04. You can swap parts and make all sorts of combos work.

I have chromoly shafts on my '01, which are the design of the pre '01 shaft. I swapped wheel bearings to the earlier style, but still running original backing plates and everything else. It's been working fine for years.

 

I've seen a lot of the stuff you've done on here man and I gotta say you are one resourceful dude

 

Pretty sure the oem rear shafts are supposed to be the strongest. I know a few in here have bent the splines but o think that comes from a lot of the weight some people carry. Been running 37s and 39s for years now with stock shafts in the rear with no issues.

 

I've got a bent shaft in Frankenstein..not that surprised..8.4 axle 35" tires

@jubei bent a shaft in his elocker. 35" tires

So did Brett on 33s.

Not a super strong design by nature. Difference is likely driving stye as you're doing more crawling and I'm probably seeing more air time....same for Brett haha not sure on jubei..haven't wheeled with him yet.

 

I honestly think it’s the weight you guys are carrying. I carry minimal crap while you guys are carrying hundreds of pounds and probably using s lot of momentum to get over obstacles and bumping the shit out of things. Try shedding some weight and I’m sure you guys will stop breaking things

There is tons of old Toyota crawlers and 1st gens running 37s-40s and some even bigger with no issues. I would think crawling is harder on them because they are constantly binding up and twisting etc. who knows.

Just saying off the old tech on pirate that stock shafts normally yield more strength and spring back when under stress.