Rear end questions

Alright so the rear end is going out in my 06 2wd no locker. I'm wanting to go ahead and regear and put bigger tires. If possible I'd like to add a locker. Eastcoast sells built 3rd members that for trucks that already have lockers. What's different about a 4wd with a locker that I can't put tbe entire rear end under my truck? Is there a simple way to convert it. Paying an extra $1000 just to add a locker when there are other stock rear ends that have lockers seems crazy? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you guys in advance

 

You should have no problems dropping in an ARB Air Locker third member into your 2WD rear axle housing.

You will need to add on board air to actuate it however.

Just call ECGS and tell them what you have when you order just incase there's a rare particular I don't know about.

The old trucks used to have different 3rd members between 2wd and 4wd but all 2nd gen trucks should have either the 8" or 8.4" 4 pinion 3rd member assuming you jave a 6 lug truck.

 

I do not want to put an arb locker in my rear end because it is an extra $1000 dollars.

 

Well then you're not getting a locker son.



A factory E-locker is a lot more expensive than an ARB is new and just as expensive if going used requires an expensive and rare complicated electronic controller if going fully OE or at least good knowledge of wiring and switching and relays and such and this is besides the fact that it would require cutting drilling machining modifications made to your axle housing to even fit it.

And the only other option is the Eaton e-locker requires its own wiring and such and is even more expensive and in many people's opinions less reliable and more finicky than the ARB air Locker as well as being more expensive.

Your last options are the part-time lockers such as a Spartan or lunch box "Lockers" but those are kind of not real Lockers in my honest opinion yes they help but they're more like a limited slip than a true spool on a switch. And if you're going to drop the coin for one of those you may as well just pony up for the ARB because they're not exactly cheap either.

Buy once cry once, if you're re-gearing now is the time to do it correctly.

If you don't want to or can't afford it then you shouldn't be doing it now.

 

Not trying to be cheap but I believe a locker from a stock truck would more than serve my purposes. I've heard good things about the stock Toyota lockers. I'm just curious if I can buy a rear end from a totalled truck that has say front collision damage but still has a good rear end and send it off to ecgs as a core and get a new one regeared. I dont see this as a cheap or poor decision and I assume it would be somewhat cost effective since I don't have an unlimited amount of cash flow.

 

Like I said before, to use a factory Locker, it would either require extensive modifications to your existing rear axle housing, or you would have to swap over the entire drum to drum rear axle from another truck, neither of these options take into account the switching circuits and wiring that would be required to make that work which will further add cost.

Yes it is possible to make a factory locker from another truck work in yours, but it is not cost effective.


You will also still need to get that rear end regeared which is the most expensive part of said swap.

An ARB in your desired gear ratio from ECGS is arguably stronger more reliable and all said and done your easiest and cheapest option you have for a true selectable locker.

 

If you don't want to re-gear, find a wrecked E-locker axle housing and 3rd member from a 2nd gen and it is "bolt on". To get the factory locker to work, you'll need a DPDT switch or relay and some wiring.

 

I think you should just find a 4x4 off road package.why deal with all of this??

 

Someone, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the elocker 3rd smaller than the LSD 3rd? 8" vs 8.4 I believe that's what I've read...

Do you actually NEED a locked 3rd? If not, you could go for torsen style LSD, geared as you want.
That is a completely mechanical LSD that doesn't require the additive for clutch style LSDs.

No wiring to mess with, and it could be a straight swap out with your existing 3rd.

 

they are the same size, 8” ring gear.