Front Locker

I have a video that relates to this conversation. My buddy Fred bought pre-installed ARB lockers by East Coast Gear Supply and we installed them for him. The video below shows how we pulled the front diff and swapped it for the ARB one. One helpful tip that was offered by one of our subscribers was to disconnect the driver side motor mount, jack up the engine a bit to give yourself more room to get the differential out and back in. It's really tight to get out so I would definitely recommend trying out this trick to make the job easier. The other hurdle was getting the intermediate shaft out and swapped over. I wanted to use my slide hammer puller to get it out but the arms of my puller were too wide to fit between the gear and the housing. My friend Mikey said Harbor Freight sells a puller with skinny enough arms to fit since he did this same job. I had to resort to pulling the diff apart further to get that shaft out.

Here's the video. If you have any questions, just ask.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w_gPiDvh9v4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


And, if you were interested in upgrading your rear diff, here's a video showing how to do this as well.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZMTbgY1xQKk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

To me, that 800 dollar e-locker is gonna get me out of tight spots when offroad camping. I would like to enjoy my camping trip w/o having to worry about how to get the fuck back out

 

I agree, a selectable locker would be "ideal" as long as your diff can take the stresses of being fully locked. The jury is still out on if an IFS diff is up to that task. It is for many people, but many others start breaking them (or the CVs) left and right.

Like I said, when you're looking at really needing a front locker, you're more than likely a pretty advanced driver, and a SAS is probably not too far off in your future.

haha too late, already went there! Just tell the wife you "need" SAS, unless you want to be stuck out in the boonies with a broken CV...

Having on-board air is a really great thing to have, for more than just a locker (airing up, etc...), so if you go for an air system, be sure to get one big enough for tires, and maybe some air tools.

But honestly, I'd consider a LSD for your needs (but still get that on-board air system, lol). There are very few instances where a true selectable locker would be advantageous over a LSD, and given the added stress you are likely to see on your CVs with a locker, I would tend towards the LSD if it were me.

 

ive only had a front arb for a few months now, but i have noticed a huge improvement on how much traction it gives. maybe im a little harder on things than most, but since having the locker in i have blown up 2 axles, 1 hub, and destroyed 2 boots. the first time was me being dumb and jumping it in the sand, i know now i should have let off the skinny pedal when the front end was in the air. the second time was this last week in moab. i cant be mad at it though, it was full turn, full stuff, climbing an obstacle. im really impressed with how strong things really are, and changing an axle on the trail only takes 24 minutes. granted im on 35s, supercharged, 5 speed, and dual cases with 4.7 gear in the front case and running 4.30 gears. like everyone else has said you just have to relearn how to drive with the front locker engaged.

 

Just do it if you have it removed.

Also I promise the ARB carrier will not explode. The CVs can, but I'd say with 33s you should be fine.

 

As he said, think of the front locker as a point and go, turning past a certain extent is too much strain on the CVs.

Though since the ARB lock and unlock so quickly you can disengage to maneuver, engage once in line.

 

Not married...

I definitely will never do SAS (famous last words right) drivability and long term durability are decreased. And I will never use it to its fullest extent. I don't really want to run trails that make people go

I do, however, want to never worry about being stuck, or at least less stuck. Exploring off the beaten gravel road is nicer than being constrained by where everyone in a levelled pickup can go.

So it looks like the ayes are more than the nays, and the consensus is use it carefully (just like 4wd really.) and it will treat you well.

Thanks for all the advice folks. A locker and OBA are in my future

 

GL and post back.

 

@Fernando just went locked front and rear.

When I do my regear next year I'm adding a locker to the front. The benefits outweigh the cons for me.

 

I had an ARB airlocker in the front of my 01 tacoma with 33s. I got to the point where I could change out a CV in 12 minuets. I didn't mind this since I just bought 4 CVs from Oriellys so I could have two spares and Oriellys would replace them for free. I finally ended up blowing up the diff though. It was a toyota part so ARB wouldn't send me a new locker haha. Now Im just finishing up the SAS and about to do the rear suspension.
I also pushed my truck places it never should have gone. So if your just getting it incase you get stuck it will be fine. If you plan on rock crawling and going places an IFS tacoma shouldn't be, then you will be blowing up CVs and eventually your diff.

 

jesus.

 

Sick

No rock crawling for me. Just stuff that the average joe isn't going to go over. And one of my best buddies has a stock LR4. So I can't outwheel him too much

 

I disagree with the last part here but that's my opinion. Once you've replaced all of the IFS components and gone SAS... mucho better.
Steering racks suck.

 

I know this whole subject is extremely subjective, as the use of the truck greatly defines which parts should remain stock, and which should be upgraded. I've always read from "overlanders" (whatever that is) that stock is best for long distance travel and vehicle exploration. As opposed to just off-roading, which probably dictates "change/upgrade every part that has the remote possibility of breaking". This would lead to a "dependable" and capable rig. I use that word loosely, because again, it depends on usage.

I'm so torn over leaving stuff stock, and upgrading it. I guess I should have stopped at removing mudflaps and call it a day...

How much lift is on your rig after the swap? Your truck is sick, no doubt. I'm worried about stability on road as well. I guess this is a thread jack (is that even a thing, as it's my thread lol) but how does it drive overall?

Just an afterthought...how many fully built off-road rigs with 300-400k miles on them? And "original" upgraded parts? Not oem, just to clarify.

 

As with anything, it's all about compromise. A SAS will give you articulation and simplicity at the expense of driveability and comfort. Going full on long travel will get you lots of travel and the expense of, well, money, and having to hack up your truck. Going with 5100's won't give you much performance, but it's damn cheap. Only really when you go for the bro lifts, does performance and reliability really suffer.

But as far as reliability goes, a properly built rig (i.e. not just a poser bro lift), be it a SAS or a semi stock setup with upgraded springs and shocks will be no less reliable (if anything, it'll be MORE reliable) than stock, all other things equal. Usually what happens is people will throw money at their truck with nicer stuff, then go out and beat on it harder than they would have otherwise, pushing the truck's limits even farther.

There is certainly a different mindset between overlanders and trailer-queen rock crawlers, and why they chose different upgrades.

There probably aren't that many dedicated trail rigs with 400,000 mile on them. For one, it can take you *all day* to go 12 miles, whereas my commute is more than that, twice a day, 240+ days a year. Back in the day, I had an '86 4Runner with 300k miles on it, and while it wasn't a dedicated trail rig, it was my trail rig that I happened to drive to work/school (most of those miles were highway miles from the original owner).

If all you're worried about is getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, imo, a winch is what you need (that you already have), not a locker or even a LSD. Guys with fully locked rigs still have to use their winch, so a locker won't stop you from getting stuck. A locker will just allow you to go on harder trails before you get stuck, lol.

 

Have you ever needed to be winched out with 4x4 and rear locker? If yes, then you wheel hard enough for front locker. If you've never been absolutely 100% stuck with 4x4 and rear locker, then you have no need for front locker because you don't wheel hard enough. I won't go front locker until my truck is at least a couple years old... and even then I don't plan on wheeling hard enough to justify the front locker cost.

 

Ok. So the takeaway is this: mod the truck as needed. Don't worry about beating on it, it will be just as reliable with select aftermarket parts. And make sure those parts improve the truck in areas that help me achieve my goal. Am I getting this right?

Already have a winch. Pls refer to OP

Yes. Twice. But both were snow wheeling so....

Otherwise the trails I run are to get somewhere enjoyable i.e. A high altitude lake, a beautiful lookout, a hidden campsite, hunting etc. I don't "wheel" in the most popular definition. Unless it's to hang with friends or something for the day.

Keep the opinions coming. By page 5 I'm sure I'll have SAS on 40s and 1tons haha

 

FIFY

 

Yeppers. But you’ve already done a fair number of mods, so I’m sure you’re already in that mindset.

If you mod your truck and you start breaking parts, you did it wrong (duh!). Usually, that’s because you see some guy with a “cool mod” and copy it without thinking about why he did it, and if it actually applies to your needs. Or, you just implimented it wrong, perhaps using inferior quality parts because the “real” ones were too expensive (using Chinese upper control arms from ebay or something like that).

I have to admit I was looking at front lockers/LSDs recently too. But I’ve never gotten stuck to the point where I found myself wishing I had one, so for me it’s not necessary, so it would merely be a “because I can” thing. But let’s be honest, half the. Rap we do to our trucks is “because we can. lol.

Like you, I would get a winch first, but first I need to build my bumper, set up an OBA, get some tool storage (rather than just a bag of crap on the back seat, etc... oh, and 33’s, and new leafs and shocks in the back... oh boy...

 

I will never discourage a man from SAS... go big!