Easiest way to add factory rear-locker to a PreRunner

Hi all,

Currently, I have an automatic 98' PreRunner 4x2 that I'm itching to add a rear locker to. My Tacoma is non-TRD so unfortunately it did not come with factory push-button rear locker installed, but I wanted to feel out the idea of the best way to going about it.

Not wanting to shell out the cost of ARB air lockers, I've heard of the Powertrax from a Tacoma FB group with mixed reviews: https://www.jegs.com/i/Powertrax/754/9220803002/10002/-1 Seems to be the cheapest and quickest route, but hard to find concrete reviews.

However, I also got to thinking how difficult would it be to install the factory rear lockers? My sticker says my gear ratio is "B06A" which I believe is 3.91. Would it be as simple as looking for a matching rear axle that had the factory locker from a junkyard and wiring up?

 

Swap out your rear end, and run either the factory harness, or one offered by a vendor.

 

It's very easy to just add the locking rear end. Find an entire locking axle, and purchase the a pre-made harness (Low-Range Off Road makes one) or retrofit a factory harness. The former is easier, while the latter is cheaper.

You can use any 1995-2004 locking rear axle, but they're more common on 2001-2004 trucks. 1998 onwards I believe they only came on v6 TRD trucks standard. 3rd gen 4Runners will have them too, HOWEVER, you can't use a non-locker rear axle or a 4Runner axle. A non-locker axle was 8.4" while a locker axle was 8.0". While the 4Runner 3rd member WILL work, you can't use the rear axle as 4Runners are suspended by coils, and not leaves.

Yes, you could retrofit your existing axle to house a locking rear 8.0" third member... but it requires a bit of welding and modification and IMO it's easier to swap the whole axle.

A majority of locking rear ends are 4.10 gear ratio - you'll have a hard time finding one otherwise. I managed to find a 4.30 rear locking end, but it was from a 1996 4Runner. I didn't end up running it, since I didn't have the proper rear end.

Also... may I suggest doing a 4WD swap? I used to have a PreRunner just like you. It's 99.95% bolt on if you run manual hubs and a J-Shift transmission. Only mechanical modification I had to make was extending the VSS harness 6".

 

Speaking from the fabrication aspect it is much easier to change the 4 runner axle over to leaf springs then modify the housing to accept the locker differential ..

As long as you can do the work yourself or have friends that will do so for expenses .

 

Didn’t even think of that. It would be easier to install the leaf perches.

 

When you think about mounting the locker motor and assorted hardware and adapting it to the non locker housing .

It can be done but it would be very labor intensive for very little gain how I look at things

 

So with my current one being 3.91, if I found a 4.10 rear axle how would I get it to work? Would I need to change the front to match as well?

That's definitely the long-term goal! I recently saw this video series with almost my exact truck (minus the factory rear-diff lockers) and it seems more than doable.

 

Correct both differentials need to be the same Gear ratio.

Otherwise the torque bind will cause the weakest link to explode or at the least fail

 

He doesn't have a front diff...

 

You have a PreRunner so no front diff to change.

 

No not yet But OP asked if they would both need to match!

 

When I had an open diff truck, I bought some 4.30 gears from my buddy's totalled 4runner and put them in a Tacoma E-Locker housing. Harness was a plug and play unit from 12VoltGuy.

 

You don’t have a front differential. If you had a front differential, you’d be 4WD and not 2WD.

 

Right! Then if/when I may 4x4 swap in the future, it'll need to match for when I take that plunge.

 

Luckily 4.10 is one of the most common gear ratios. It’ll be easy to find a 4.10 front end.

 

Wanted to revive this than rather make a new post - I'm currently shopping around for the locking rear axle assembly w/ 4.10 gears.

One thing I hadn't considered was ABS vs. non-ABS. My 98' Prerunner has no ABS, and from car-part I see a rear axle near me without ABS for $950, but surprisingly one with ABS for $600. Would I run into any issues grabbing the ABS compatible rear axle but not having ABS hooked up to it?

 

All e-locker rear differentials are ABS. Trucks that were e-locked and came without ABS had plugs where the ABS tone ring sensor would go.

 

Awesome! Thank you.

 

Good info on this thread

 

Best info is save your money and buy a 4wd.