5 lug 7.5 inch lunch box locker write up

Here is a short write up on getting a lunchbox locker into a 2wd 5 lug. Maybe someone else will want to attempt this as prices on first gen 4wd trucks increase.

A couple of notes for those thinking about doing this:

• In retrospect, I think a lot of the reviews about these kind of lockers is from people putting them into the front diff, not the rear. I say that because now that i have a few hundred miles on my locker, I barely hear it, i have no issues engine breaking, and the handling has not changed ( the biggest complaints i heard about them)
• make sure you order the right diff before you pull everything apart. a 2wd 5 lug first gen is 7.5
• you will need to bleed the brakes after, so pick up some break fluid with that diff oil
• you will need the following wrenches: 10, 12, two 14s for the drive shaft
• sockets: 10,12, 14, 17, and i think a 22 or 24

I was a bit nervous about jumping into this project since I have never pulled apart an axel before, but in the end it turned out ok. There are several videos on youtube that do a good job of guiding you through the process. I followed this vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEzzjnFeSEU. No matter what locker you get, I am pretty sure the process is almost the same no matter what. I had a spartan locker, and the only thing I had to do different than the lockrite was to NOT install the thrust washers when reassembling.

As far as pulling apart the axle, you will need to remove the break lines so have some vacum caps handy. I took off the wheels, but it wasnt necessary. it for sure made accessing stuff easier. With the e brake off, there is just barely enough slack in the e brake line to pull the axle out far enough to pop out the 3rd member. It is easier if you have 2 friends to pull on the wheels as you try and pop off the diff, or in my case, i friend and a pipe wedged on the other side. From what i have seen non 5 lugs have a quick disconnect for the e brake right at the wheel, 5 lugs are not so lucky.

You will want a breaker bar or some impact tool to get all these old bolts off. I had to put the 3rd member in a vice and breaker bar off the bolts holding on the ring gear. The gasket for the rear diff is not commonly carried in auto shops ( I went to 5 and still had to order it) so get it online or special order it ahead of time. Oddly, Pepboys had the right gasket listed as the front diff gasket for my 2wd truck.
It took me 2ish weekends, but could be done in one day if you do it with a friend who has more experience than me. My major hang ups were ordering the wrong diff at first, struggling to get the axles out far enough to pop off the 3rd member, and reinstalling the thrust washers on my first try. Go slow, be methodical, and keep your bolts organized/ marked, so you know how to reassemble everything.

https://imgur.com/gallery/MQAXqJx

 

nice perfect i was just on MC looking at this and wondering iv got a 00 2rz 5 luger, i'am assuming same setup as you?! this is good info man thanks!

 

yeah should be the same. let me know if you have any questions on the install!

 

Okay I'm going to be an imbecile here and ask THE dumb question: what does this do? Does it allow you to turn your 2WD into a 4WD? Permenantly or just when you need one? Because that sounds both daunting and cool at the same time.

 

No, it turns your 1 wheel drive into a 2 wheel drive. lol

With an open diff, the wheel with the least traction will spin freely, making you go nowhere. Good for normal street driving with plenty of traction, bad for driving with 1 wheel on ice, or where traction is generally very low.

A locker will "lock" both rear wheels so they spin together.

This type of "lunch box" locker basically automatically locks and unlocks the wheels based on how the wheels are turning.

I would say that unless you're turning your 5 lug into a pre-runner type off road truck or a 1/4 miler, a limited slip would be far better for a street driven truck. These types of lockers are not ideal for street driving, as they tend to chirp your tires around corners because they lock/unlock automatically.

 

Thanks for the clarification! And the good humor!

 

Welcome to TW!

Thanks for the write up. @Das it mang @Sperrunner need this

 

I rather order a full 3rd from ecgs with a arb. No need for a lunch box when all i drive is on asphalt

 

Not much need for any locker if all you drive is asphalt, unless you like doing burnouts.

 

I'd say it depends on whether you're living life one quarter mile at a time

 

for those 33 seconds I am free

 

Also my taco has a 8.4

 

This video shows how they work @ 1:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjerLDlnusk

I am planning on prerunner-ing my 5 lug. Not for crazy rock crawling, but for desert driving/ camping in the mojave and Eastern Cal (mojave road is the goal). Just need something to gun it out of deep soft sand in river washes. I went with the lunch box locker due to its price point. I probably would have just sold this truck and gotten a 4wd if I had thought about going the route of getting air or e lockers, but I have become attached to this truck.

The wheels only really chirp if it is a super tight turn and you are gassing it early in the turn or shifting during the turn. I think the chirping and the handling must be partly due to how you drive. That being said, I dont think i would want this in an auto where I have no control over when shift happens.

 

Hmmm. Just not sure if I'd go this route over 6 lugging the rear with an e locker. Definitely thankful for this write up and will reference here if i go with it. I just want 4.10s too when i do the locker, but if i find a smoking deal on an open diff 6 lug rear, maybe.


Are u going to remove that body lift soon? Lol

What made u do that vs a suspension lift? Definitely update us on the build, there are other offroad 5 luggers on here

 

Lol the body lift came with the truck and is coming off as soon as my OME suspension ships. The rims came with the truck as well, still not sure if they are true bead lock or just cosmetic. I dont know much about re gearing and plan on keeping the same tire size so I am hoping just the lunch box will get me where I want to go. Are you talking about throwing on a 6 lug rear axel and diff?

 

Ah i see. Ome offers a 5 lug lift?

Im stock height and fit 235s (29 in tires) on my truck. The gearing still is bearable, but yeah after i put v6 coils and the daystar spacer on i want to go for 31s-32's. No way itd work on the 3.58 mt gears. You can go 6 lug in the rear its p much plug and play (besides needing 2 spares). With 4.10s and those tires youd be back to "more "stock feel" and get ur mpgs back. If i keep the truck long enough im going long travel on it and want to do small things first like locker, regear, and glass