Elocker axel swap

I have a 99' Tacoma with the 2.7 and 529 gears. Unfortunately no elocker and I would like to get one setup. Looks like the cheapest route is to find a complete v6 trd axel at a junkyard for around 600-700, then get the low range harness kit for another 180. This next part is what I'm having trouble understanding and need help with. Can I use my existing 529 gears out of my current axel to swap in the v6 trd/prerunner elocker axel, or do I need new gears for the different v6 axel? Obviously if I can use my gears and save 200-300 that's what I would like to do, but if not that's fine, I'm just not sure. Thanks for any help.

 

I'm not very familiar with the low range harness. But you would still need to get the locker ECU I'm guessing. For all of the costs that you mentioned plus the cost of the locker ECU, you're pretty much at the cost of an ARB locker.

Depending on the year of the elocker that you get, you may have to swap the pinion flange from your current set up to the new set up as well. pinions on 03 and later had 29 splines, pinions on 02 and earlier had 27 splines.

But in short, the gears on your 4 cyl can be used on a e locker diff.

 

And I just found another thing out I wasn't aware of and don't really understand.

I know my base model 4 banger doesn't have ABS...I was reading somewhere and it said I can't use an elocker axle with ABS. Doesnt make much sense because sr5s, trd, and prerunners usually all come with ABS no? None of them are base models like mine. I'm just kinda lost through this whole process. I was told it was an hour job of unbolting my current axle, and bolting the other one in. Seems a lot more complicated then that in my situation coming from a base model 4 cylinder with the gears and now this ABS deal. I've never claimed to be a mechanic or machinist so it's just frustrating on trying to gather everything I need or don't need to do this elocker axle swap.

 

If you're using the whole axle assembly, it won't matter if it has abs or not. I believe that even if you swap the e locker diff into your current housing it won't matter if it came out of a truck with abs or not because I'm pretty sure the differential side of the axles is the same on non abs versus abs axles.

To my knowledge, the only difference between the abs and non abs axles is going to be that the abs axles have a longer machined area out near the hub flanges to give more room to mount the abs tone ring and an additional bearing retainer. The overall length of the axles should be the same.

Not sure where you're located, but I have an old e locker, abs axle sitting in my garage that has a slight bend that I'd be happy to let you have to do a comparison.

 

I thought about arb as well but I don't have anyone to set it up or wants to set it up...and I've been told they're a little more prone to problems with the lines and seals then an elocker. An elocker can still get you out manually, if the arb goes out on a trip you're pretty well screwed. Money isn't the problem working 80 hrs a week, it's more time and getting and figuring everything out since this is all really new to me and my fab and mechanic skills is about a 1 on a scale to 10.

I was told my gears won't work because I have an 8.4" and the v6 elockers are an 8"...something about the ring gear difference maybe?

I can search all I want but it's like reading Chinese, and then when I think I have it almost figured out, I find something else you need to make sure you have or don't have that will make it work. Like this whole ABS thing, never heard of it until I started searching about the gears being compatible and whatnot.

 

Well, you have a 4 cyl engine so you should have the 8" diff and not the "8.4." The 8.4 diff came in v6 trucks without the e locker.

Even if you get the whole e locker axle and want to swap your gears in, you will still have to do a full gear set up measuring backlash, pinion depth, etc. So it wouldn't be easier that installing an ARB. I didn't know ARB didn't make a unit for your application.

The people who are stating that you have an 8.4" diff are definitely wrong because if you had the 8.4, ARB makes a locker for that...

 

I'm in hermiston, oregon

 

No I'm almost positive I have the 8.4" in the non trd 4 cylinder axle...the trd axle is 8" from everything I've read.

I would love to keep my 8.4" and run the elocker but that takes a bit of fibbing and I just would rather try and skip that whole process.

One reason I wanted to go ARB at first was so I could keep my current 8.4" axle

 

definitely not close enough to make that a cost effective option. haha.

Cliff notes: your gears will work in the e locker diff carrier. abs or non abs won't matter.

 

The low range harness allows you to use the in 4hi, not just 4 lo...since I have a base model 4 cylinder, I doubt I even have ever that grey wire mod to do so I'm just going to get the kit that low range has to where you don't use the oem harness any. I believe anyway lol. Shits about all over my head..

 

I really just need to sit down with someone who knows exactly what I need and knows what theyre doing to tell/show me what to order so I'm not wasting time and money. Everyone I wheel with has pre tacoma stuff and they just don't know either. Mainly 1st Gen runners, and 2nd and 3rd Gen pickups, which are a totally different animal then these tacomas.

 

Hit up Just Differentials. I'm pretty sure they're in the PNW too.

 

I just want a selectable rear locker by winter for snow..I'm the only dipshit that goes up with everyone and no lockers, which basically equals no fun haha. I'm the only one getting stuck in dumb shit.

 

Just remember, getting stuck in dumb shit while wheeling is better than being at work any day of the week!

 

This was the reply from one of guys at low range.

 

I'm just getting all sorts of contradicting info and I can't sort it out because I just don't know...

Well my 1 Sunday I get off a week I'd rather not be digging lol. But no you're right, it beats work anyday just being in the hills with good friends and a few cold ones.

 

Maybe there's something I'm missing. But I'm pretty sure the ARB locker option on the market for the first gen tacoma fits the 8.4" rear end...

What he's saying about not being able to run non abs axles in an abs housing is true, for reasons that I won't bother explaining because it's not important to your question. But if you're getting a whole axle assembly from a junk yard you can just run whatever axles come with it and that won't be an issue.

 

Do you air down when on a snow run? If not, go down to maybe 12 psi, you won't get stuck so much.

 

So am I just over thinking or getting overwhelmed at all this? That's what I'm worried about though is buying this elocker axle with ABS and it not working with my shafts or housing.

I've found a bunch of complete trd elocker axles anywhere from $5-800 on a site that shows all the junkyards and whatnot. Some are complete, some aren't, I'd rather just buy complete because I don't have time to do all this work and modifying.

I've decided against the ARB for a couple reasons, but the only thing I do like about it is I could just use my current axle. I just don't have anyone that wants to or knows how to set it up, and I'd rather have the ability to manually lock the elocker in case shit happened on the trail. My cousin has ARB in his 2nd gen pickups and they're nice when they work...but he also has a lot of issues with the air lines and seals it seems like. My other buddy has a 98 SAS tacoma with the 3.4 and elocker grey wire mod and it has had zero problems. Everyone else runs full time lockers or spools, but they don't daily there truck either like I do, which is why I need the selectable option...

I need a beer already haha

 

I always air down to 5# (on 33x12.5 by 10 wides) and still get stuck sometimes in dumb stuff that they have zero problems with a locker...2 wheels just don't cut it in a foot or two of snow, I at least need to be 3 wheeling it. Most these guys I go with are locked front and rear and just make their own roads...it's ridiculous haha