e-locker rear axle conversion?

Is it possible to put an e-locker differential into a non-e-locker axle housing? I have ordered a 2017 sport but want the e-locker axle from a TRD-OR. (I would have purchased an OR model but I wanted an access cab with a manual transmission so only the sport was possible.) The e-locker differential (413030K010) by itself is about $1400 on Partznet and Partznet claims the e-locker will fit the Sport, but it is not clear what that would involve. I assume installation would require putting it into the existing carrier case with the existing ring and pinion, then doing some simple wiring, but maybe there is more to it. I would prefer to keep all OEM parts if possible but it looks like the total cost would be about twice that of an installed air-locker kit. Any advice?

 

OP, if I am not mistaken the rear differential assembly is different. I thought the OR was 8.75in. I bought the OR model just because the locker was only available in the OR. Mine is a 2016; so maybe they have made them the same for 2017.

 

Seems like a lot of work and $$ for a diff locker ... are you sure it's worth it?? You have the heavy duty rear with the M/T... and traction control. I don't see an locking diff all that useful.. but that's me. You do a lot of sand and mud, or you want it for rock crawling?

Edit: all manual V6 TRD Sports have the 8.75 rear axle just not a locker..

 

You'd be better off going with air lockers at that point. Plus you'd get the locker and onboard air for the price of just the e-locker.

 

Lockers in reality are not really ever needed.
Except for the few extreme heads.

I see people doing videos on here all the time and on yt saying they had it in 4 low and the lockers on! And I'm like why da fuck you have the lockers on.

A true off roader will use what's minimally needed until he absolutely needs more. Do you really think you will need one?

I did jeep tour patrols on some pretty gnarly trails and never even sniffed the locker.

 

Meh, I needed it to get up the driveway in my Jeep last winter. They're def. handy but if you needed one you'd know what you need.

 

I'm a believer in engaging 4WD, low range and lockers before you need them. I had Air Lockers in the old truck and have the e-locker now. I run locked all the time to avoid being stuck or unnecessarily stressing the truck. You want to walk up stuff without drama or wheel hop. It also guarantees a 50/50 torque split in the rear to you are less likely to break axles. I'm not a person who has anything to prove by being able to claim I drove XYZ obstacle open in 2WD. I'm a fastidious, really maybe even a boring, off roader but I don't like trail-side fixes so I recognize that I'm probably over cautious. If it's a matter of just messing around I might try things open but definitely when I'm alone I use the locker. There's not much downside to it and you paid good money for it, might as well use it.

 

If you are to the point where you actually need a locker (and didn't go for an OR and get A-TRAC), you're also well past the point where you need an air compressor for airing down for traction. I think you'd be far better served with an ARB setup. As to whether or not you need a locker at all, that's on you. I get a fair bit of use out of mine.

 

The factory locker will fit into a manual transmission truck without locker easily (though the axles are different, the axle housing is the same), however on automatic transmission models they have a smaller differential and so the axle housing is different.

Jeff

 

Get an ARB air locker.

 

I 100% agree with this. You engage 4x4 before you get stuck or are having to burn through gears sliding the rear all over the place. Just like in golf, you don't have to tell what you used to score, it's all about finishing the hole. Finishing the trail is finishing the trail.

That being said, I have only been in two spots where a locker and/or winch were needed. Both involved muddy wet ditches. Didn't have either and had to wait to be pulled out. Not sure if someone with more experience can shed light on how to navigate with lockers or anything.

 

My experience with wet or snow-filled ditches is locker or not, doesn't matter. If there's no traction for the tires it only means you'll 3 or 4 spinning instead of 2. A winch or tug is the only reliable solution.

I've been unlucky to end up off the edge of roads a few times in the winter both locked and unlocked. The only difference is with a locker on you end up traversing down the ditch faster. The one thing in seriousness is that with a locker you might end up luckier getting purchase with all the rocks and floor mats you throw under the truck.

OTOH, driving on snow (or slick mud) is one place where I would totally disengage a locker since it can cause issues. Unless I'm chained up, then it's back on probably. The short answer to every situation is "It depends." ;-)

 

Off-camber, low traction situations will get you spinning with open diffs. One of my favorite hunting spots has a section that, if it's been raining, the locker is a must have! All off-roading is different, but if you've pushed the limits of the tire/suspension you know how valuable the locker is.

 

In a nut shell yes if you have a manual transmission behind a V6 you have the 8.75" rear differential housing. Your's being a sport you have an open differential carrier (which you know already). You could swap out the entire third member with an OR model or you could just swap in the carrier. Both will require wireing in the locker switch and possibly changing the "4wd ecm" to the OR model specific one. Doing the carrier swap would proberably require drilling the 3rd housing for the wireing to pass through.
If it was mine I'd swap in an ARB air locker and never look back.

 

Manuals will have the 8.8" rear differential for both engines, 4-cylinder and V6.

There shouldn't be any need to modify the 3rd member housing as the wiring actually comes through on the differential carrier side.

The 4WD computer is different with and without differential lock, however you could just wire it up to a switch if you trust yourself to only use it in appropriate conditions. It's a very simple magnetic actuator that just requires power to operate and will disengage when power is turned off.

Jeff

 

I've certainly used my lockers (dual in my last truck, stock OR currently) in places where I've genuinely needed them, but more often I use them where I could get by without but I'm better off running them. The perfect example is that there are a couple of places I go pretty regularly that are steep, undulating, and rocky. They can be done in 4wd w/ open diffs, but not without showering rocks everywhere and making holes deeper. In that case running a locker is just plain good trail stewardship.

 

Pardon my ignorance, so Toyota puts the same axle in all Tacos now?

I thought the e-locker comes in the traditional (e.g. 1979+ type) 8" axle and the open diff was the newer 8.25"/8.4"/whatever you want to call it. When did this change? My truck has as far as I can tell the 8" axle at least. I'm assuming this a 3rd gen thing.

Just curious since I thought there was more to it than just fitting e-locker third members on Tacomas. I'd always figured an open Tacoma was easier to fit with an Air Locker since you'd have to get a whole axle from a locked truck.

Even if they are the same axle now I'd still think an Air Locker would be a better choice, unless it really is plug-and-play. Meaning the wiring is in place and it's just bolting in a 3rd and shoving a dash switch in. But I highly doubt that is the case.

 

The manuals get the 8.75" regardless of the package.

The auto TRD OR also gets the 8.75"

The rest get the 8"

The 8.4"(really just an 8" with a bearing cap girdle) is no longer used in the Tacoma from what I understand from the documentation that I have found.

 

Jeff what I was referring to on the drilling is. If he were to just order the TRD locker itself (not the 3rd member assembly) to install in his existing 3rd member assembly. He would have to modify the cast iron 3rd member housing to accommodate the wiring for the locker. Not the stamped steel axle housing that the 3rd bolts into. Just clarifying what I meant to say so as not to confuse people.

 

Copy that. Did some Googling.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/vehicle-reviews/1508-a-look-at-the-all-new-2016-toyota-tacoma/