full axle swap for Rear locker

Ive had this idea of going to a junk yard and finding a total tacoma with the elocker. Has anyone on here gone and bought the rear axle out of a trd offroad to get the e locker? Is it worth it or just buy a 1k aftermarket locker?

 

3gen rear end without a factory locker is a 8in and with factory locker is a 8.75in, not sure if you can install a factory locker into a none locker diff, might have to go aftermarket if your trying to stick with the factory 8in rear end unless you have a manual then you get a 8.75 with and without locker

 

I think they are talking about swapping the whole axle out, in that case size doesnt matter.

 

Not sure were the stock lockers brain is, you would need that to or some wiring work to bypass it.

 

I think your right but just wanted to be sure they had all the info

 

Sorry for hijacking , but while we’re on the subject, anyone know what a 8” non locking 3rd member brings at a junkyard? I’m thinking of a re gear and would like to build up a core and keep my oem stuff intact

 

I don’t remember anyone swapping the whole axle, but there is some discussion on here about an anytime-locker mod, but I don’t remember anything fully working out the electronics. I don’t have any idea how feasible it would be to transplant the rear locker electronics.

If I were to contemplate such I thing, I would want a front locker too and then I’d have to go with aftermarket lockers. You have no ATRAC/MTS on the non-locker trims.

I suggest choosing a thread title that indicates you are asking about a rear locker axle swap.

 

Thanks renamed the title of the thread. Yeah seems like it would just be bolting unbolting the new axle but wiring the locker shouldnt be harder then some other type of power auxiliary ?

 

I’m guessing you don’t have the control unit for the locker. You might have to grab that from the junk yard too. Creating your own control unit could be quite challenging based off the info in the all-time locker mod thread.

 

far as i know the elocker technology hasnt changed since the 1st gens...if thats more or less true, get an ARB. the e locker is finnicky, prone to getting stuck and gunked up from water/mud, and is a PITA to replace/fix. Getting a junk yard axle and stripping or building a harness for the locker isnt worth it compared to just getting an ARB when yopu consider the non elocker axle is stronger

while its not that hard, it is more work than just a power auxiliary, requiring a DPDT switch and wiring in a relay and making sure you index the locker correctly with the switch when you install it

source: i did this swap in my '96

 

I believe the locker has changed. I read that prior to the 3rd gen there was an external servo motor, but now there is an internal solenoid. It is however finicky in my experience. It's best to engage it before getting stuck.

 

hmm if thats the case, shows how much i know...id like to see some pics of the guts to see what the difference is. Servo motor deff sounds better than the spring loaded motor/gear bull shit. I wonder if the wiring is more or less the same? or more complex tho? In which case the factory elocker wiring will be so entangled with the stock wiring hardness trying to extract just the elocker bits would be near impossible, and you have no choice but to build your own harness.

 

Here is the any time e-locker thread. There are lots of technical details.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rear-diff-lock-anytime-mod-3rd-gen-development.537810/

 

Would probably be cheaper and less headache to have an arb airlocker installed.

 

The larger diff comes on anything with the manual transmission or the locker.

 

I wonder if there are any differences 2nd vs 3rd gen

 

I'm looking to sell my factory rear end with e-locker. Dm me if interested.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2017-e-locker.585669/

 

There is some part number info for the 4wd control unit (aka computer) in this thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4wd-selector-part-advice-assistance.783233

 

He could also do a Harrop E-locker. But yes, the best option would just do an aftermarket locker.