Tacoma e locker

TBH, they both suck. The weak point is the ring, not the elocker. Same applies to the 8.4. IMO, I rather have a prolocker over the Eaton any day of the week but that debate is for another day.

But if I'm comparing price point, I rather run a TRD locked over spending a thousand on a locker that I will probably use a handful of time throughout the year. There's a ton of owners with the factory locker with no issue. Most don't run 37s or rock crawl. They just need it to be unstuck when they're stuck. The TRD is efficient enough.

 

Hey, show some love to the TRD axle. But I agree, the ring from both the 8" elock and 8.4" is the weak point, not the elocker itself. I'm running the TRD 8" elock on 37" with beadlock to 5psi and rock crawl no issue. 6+ years strong and going. On the other hand, I have 2 buddies (1 in a t100 and other 1 in a Tacoma) with the 8.4. The t100 have factory gear and 8.4 open with 4.88. One chip his ring gear while the other smooth his a few years ago. So yes, they are weak.

ARB, Eaton, and TJM are all nice selectable locker but I rather run air lockers over electric as well. Yes, ultimately it cost more due to the compressor but I see it as a reason to have OBA if you deflat. I hate when you go from drive to reverse, the damn Eaton will unlock before engaging again. I had the Eaton elock in the front when I was IFS and that was my primary complaint.

 

Well, obviously I'm not an expert. But I'm surprised to see the 8.4" be labelled weak. Sure, it might be "weak" compared to a 9.5" or 14 bolt, but pound for pound it seems like a pretty solid little unit. Plenty of people are running 37s on them with no issues. Found this online:

https://www.pirate4x4.com/threads/comparison-tacoma-tundra-8-4-axle-to.205369/

There are a decent amount of reports of the "V6 8" axle deflecting pretty easily, especially in the heavier Prado 120 platforms.

 

Aftermarket gears appear to be a bit of a crapshoot in terms of reliability. I had the opportunity to install a used TRD axle with 4.88s, but decided to stay with my trusty factory 4.10s. You never know who did the install, or how quality the parts really were.

 

We can all read about stories from the web, both good and bad. Like what I mentioned, the 8" elock weak point is the gear and not the locker and that also apply to the 8.4". I know plenty of people running 35/37 with elock too and no issue. Ultimately, it comes down to the driver. Even a 9.5 or 1t can be blown.

For what and how I used my truck prior to the axle swap, the TRD with 35s and eventually 37s gave me no issue as well.

 

Regardless, they both went kaboom. Aftermarket Yukon 4.88 and factory gear. Like @02hilux mentioned, the ring will both be the weak point. And I would agree, if you don't do any crazy offroad trail, the TRD axle is more than capable.

The 8.4 and 8 ring gear are identical minus the 12 vs 10 retaining bolt.

You can say because of the 8.4" stud girdle designed make it stronger vs the 8", sure. But how much stronger? It's probably marginal.

 

Yea it seems like you’d likely break CVs and front diffs way before anything on the rear anyway (unless SASed).

 

The only difference is the center part of the diff, side gears and spider gears. The weakest part is probably the spider and side gears. Haven't heard any horror stories on TRD e lockers. I know guys on 37s with the factory e locker doing just fine.

 

Can confirm.

But I still wouldn't bother installing a stock locker. Eaton is the way to go.

 

The only issues with the TRD lockers I've seen is their lack of engagement. Never seen one broken but I've seen plenty that fail to lock, or take a long time and a lot of back and forth to engage. 100% not worth the hassle.