Rear locker cable activated?

Picked up a 98 Tacoma, and the PO installed a cable with a lever next to the driver's door going to the rear axle. Is this a normal mod? The e-locker button is still installed, but dash light just flashes when you engage the switch.

 

And where does it terminate on the rear axle?

What does the cable do (at the axle end) when you pull the lever?

 

Cable driven mod is done by some owner because it's more reliable vs the factory electric setup.

https://www.lceperformance.com/10-E-Locker-Manual-Cable-conversion-p/2051222.htm

As for your factory RR switch, it's useless. The actuator at the diff is deleted so pressing the RR button does nothing.

 

The leverage engage and disengage the elock. That's it. The benefit of the cable is there no wait time to engage/disengage.

 

Cable-actuated lockers are the gold standard.

Air and Electronic actuation can have reliability issues in the field. This is the same reason manual shift transfer cases with manual locking hubs are preferred over ADD and electronic transfer cases by people who are serious about the offroad world.

 

Serious offroad folks preferred spool and welded...

 

Not necessarily. The maneuverability afforded by, say, 2Lo locked rear/open front is sometimes very desirable.

This magnifies considerably if your sled also has rear steer, in which case being able to open up either diff on demand can make a world of difference if tight maneuvering is useful. Lockers, welds et al while being musts for traction do compromise steerage.

 

I figured it was cause the e-locker broke and this was the easier way to still use it. Think I will change the lever. It is rough, I will submit pictures when my son brings it back.

 

And thanks for the reponses!

 

Easier? Highly doubt it. Even though the kit requires no modification, to run the cable and it's associated parts is more complicated. Also, the cable kit cost more than simply buying a Dorman actuator.

I would rather run the cable vs electric. Quicker engagement/disengagement and trouble free. Unlike the electric actuator, if rust occurs due to water or moisture, the unit will not engage at all and to manually engage the locker, you will have to pull the actuator and slide the gear in.