Another Rear Locker Thread

Alright, new guy here but hear me out. I did a lot of searching around on here and other sites but all threads are fairly old, curious to see if anyone has been down this path recently.

Have a '23 TRD Sport, bought as a family/travel rig to keep stock, but as we all know that never lasts. Now I've started building this thing out since we got rid of our CanAm so I can have a mid sized truck to get us places. When purchased, we jumped into it and I wasn't fully aware of all the models so we liked the Sport and here we are.... no locker. Is what it is. Probably would've went OR or OR Pro but I enjoy tinkering.

My question, has anyone installed one of these third members from ECGS on a TRD Sport 3rd Gen? From what I can tell, the Sport has the 8.75" rear, but maybe I'm reading that wrong. Would like to go E-locker as the link entails, air isn't off the table but I've already dialed that path if it comes to it. More curious now that they offer the E-locker, if it's more of a plug and play deal. I assume there is a harness that needs purchased/wired for the switch but they don't give much info on that.

Link: https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-23993416-8-75-tacoma-elocker-third.html

All future planning, right now were getting by but the luxury of having the locker if needed is what I'm looking at.

 

If you have a manual trans it is the 8.75 in / 32 spline
If you have an auto trans it is the 8 in / 30 spline

see this page: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/which-models-have-which-size-differential.388610/

For an auto trans TRD Sport...You can get a whole 8.75 in rear axle & diff assembly with the locker installed and ready to swap in from ECGS
Or you can get something like an Eaton rear e-locker installed in your current 8in rear diff...or an ARB air locker, lots of choices.

 

The SR, SR5, Sport and Limited A/T 4WD models came with the 8" non-elocker. You will need to run a relay and switch to power the locker on any rear end you install. You can do electronic, air, mechanical, or a "lunchbox" locker. Mechanical is the most fool-proof locker as you don't rely on any other sources to lock the rear end but have to run a push/pull cable to the cab. Electronic is fairly reliable but run the risk of corrosion. Air is very reliable but run the risk of a compressor failing/air line breaking when wheeling and condensation. The LSD lunchbox locker has no external locking abilities but is pretty common on the cheaper builds as it will lock...usually... when needed and freespool when not but the ticking can get annoying when turning.

 

Another thing thing to add is that an air locker can be engaged while the vehicle is rolling at speed whereas an Eaton E-locker should only be engaged below 3mph (ideally at a standstill).

An oem Toyota e-locker can also only be used in 4wd low range. Aftermarket lockers can be used in 4x4 hi, 4x4 low, 2wd.

Things to think about

 

Awesome, that's exactly what I was looking for. For some reason, I could not come up with that so makes a lot of sense. I have the Auto so definitely an 8". Everything I'm finding on past threads still was saying there was no E-locker available for the Sport rears, only air lockers. But from what I can see now, we're well past that and there are options for E-lockers. I'd much rather go E-locker just for sake of not doing onboard air at this time and everything involved with that.

All awesome info, thanks! Been down the rabbit trail of the lunchbox as my buddy has one in his 4runner, I can't stand the noise nor do I like the fact it's always locked more or less. We have some pretty bad icy conditions at times here in WY so I'd like to dictate when that rear is gonna cut loose

 

Eaton/Harrop most definitely makes the E-Locker for the 8in/30sp rear. I have one in my SR5. Be advised you'll need different side carrier bearings which are not included with the locker itself.

 

So to wrap my brain around this a little more, I can still go with the 8.75" rear on the my Sport even though it's an Auto Trans? Such as the link I originally posted, or would I go with the 8" one and looks like you'd have to add in the Harrop E-Locker. Would rather just go with a bolt on style as I'm a little uneasy with changing everything within the current diff. I'm sure it's not hard to figure out and deal with but for ease, I'm leaning toward more of a swap and bolt route for now.

I'm pretty sure this is the 8" diff and you have multiple options for a locker to add. Again, I'd go with an E-locker though since lunchbox really doesn't appease me. Can't tell if the "Detroit Locker" option is the E-Locker or not. I know the Detroit TruTrac is the lunchbox style from what I can see. https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-23993418-2016-tacoma-auto-non-elocker-third.html

 

The 8.75" third member won't fit in a 8" axle housing. What tacodell said was to replace the axle housing and third member completely. But then you would need to wire the logic for the OEM locker which isn't 12v. It is a pulsing 5v and requires a lot more work. ECGS is the best place on the market and if you are adding a locker, you might as well regear and get the front done too...

 

To go with the 8.75 you can source an entire rear axle + rear diff assembly from ECGS with the locker installed and everything, just remove the stock rear axle and swap in new rear axle assembly and wire up the switch.

The 8.75 internals won't fit in your oem 8in rear diff and the axle splines won't line up (30 vs 32 splines). So the 8in diff option is to just change out the internals of your stock rear diff for an electronically locking one such as Harrop or Eaton specifically made for the 8in ring gear / 30 spline set up you currently have. Note that the "e-locker" is different than the Detroit locker offered by Eaton/Harrop.

This 2nd option is what I went with. It is a fairly involved job and not something I'd try to do myself tho, unless you're familiar with building differentials, setting backlash etc.

 

Ahhh gotcha. Makes sense. Buy once, Cry once. Front locker is coming, regearing is definitely slated down the road but I'll be rollin 33's for awhile so I'll tackle that beat when it comes

 

Right on. Makes complete sense. Definitely helped a lot, leaning toward whole 3rd member assembly with Harrop E-Locker so really all is needed is bolting and wiring the switch.

 

The Eaton Locker for that fits in the 2016+ Tacomas with the 8in rear diff is part # 14211-1 in case you're wondering

 

You'll also get the benefit of a slighter more robust rear axle setup with the 8.75 rear axle vs the stock 8in.

Didn't really matter to me as I have an access cab 4cyl Tacoma built out to be super light weight. Not worried it'll fail.

But on v6 double cab rigs with extra weight like armour, camper top etc the bigger rear axle setup makes sense tbh

 

This is pretty much being built around a hunting rig, not so much overlanding so I also won't have a ton of weight. Maybe at times, but not consistently enough to justify a whole axle swap in my mind. Probably stick with the 8" for now, then regret it and do it even later when I get a few dents in her because I know how these things go. Keeps me busy.

 

You can find a Elocker 8.75” complete axle with 4.30 gears. Find a 4.30 front. Get ahold of Experiment Designs and get the Freedom locker harness. By the time you’re done you will save $2k and you can swap it in a weekend.

 

tbh for a solo hunting/camping rig a front winch will probably get more use than a front locker ever will

 

I concur. Locker wouldn’t have helped me get this moved out of my way home.

 

oh hell yea! nice work

 

You have the 8 inch if your truck is auto. My 2022 sr5 has a Detroit Truetrac LSD. Like the guy above said you need to buy new carrier bearings as well, but when you buy from East Coast Gear Supply they help you with everything you need and eliminates the confusion.
The Truetrac isn’t a lunchbox, it’s a limited slip. A lunchbox will fully lock whenever power is applied and click when turning. Truetrac is buttery smooth, no clicking or chirping when turning. Like all limited slips, if a wheel is off the ground it acts like an open diff. But remember, all 3rd gen trucks have the “auto lsd function” which is a brake stimulated lsd. With the auto lsd activated with the Truetrac, it damn near acts like a locker. I loose no momentum when a wheel lifts off the ground with my truetrac and auto lsd activated. And of course if both wheels are on the ground with the Truetrac you will never one leg. It makes burnouts and drifting lots of fun! And also there’s no maintenance as it’s a helical LSD, no wires/lines to run, and it’s extremely durable. It’s perfect for me. If your a hard wheeler then maybe a locker is better, but for a daily driver and weekend fun the Truetrac is definitely an option to look into!

 

freedom locker just tricks 4wd ecu into thinking its in 4low to engage the rear locker. by itself cant actually do anything to lock the oem locker on a non offroad model. the wiring harness itself isnt even there.