Installing e locker

Is it possible to install e-locker to a Tacoma prerunner SR5? no TRD?

 

Yep.

 

It'll probably be cheaper and easier to install an ARB air locker, unless you have a TRD Offroad donor truck.

 

You have to buy the axel the housing is different.
If you want a locker arb is cheaper than swapping axels

 

Air locker?

 

The ARB Airlocker works off of air pressure that moves a collar on the differential and that locks and unlocks the locker . The kit comes with a air compressor and a air line that goes to your axle housing . You have to drill a hole in your housing and install air line fittings

The ARB once installed and activated physically turns your axle into a spool style differential

 

You can't just put a Toyota e-locker on any Tacoma axle, the only one it fits is the one TRD Tacoma axle (which if you had, then you'd already have a locker so...)

From what I've read on these forums, best thing to do is just swap out your rear end with a TRD one. I don't know how that would compare cost-wise against installing an ARB air locker instead, but they are both pricey (but worth it if you want a locking differential).

Another option is to install a full time, non-selectable locker (i.e. Lockrite, Detroit, etc.) for half the price, but if your truck is your daily driver then those can be a nuisance.

I had a lockrite on my old Prerunner and it was fine on city streets, just made the infamous "clack clack clack" sound when making turns. Worked like a charm though off-road. But this is in SoCal where the streets are dry 95% of time. I hear they can be problematic on slippery roads.

 

I have read some about how leaks in the air system can be difficult with these. Does anyone know if loss of air pressure with unlock the locker (if its already in the locked position) or will it simply keep you from unlocking it? I have scoured the arb website for rating on psi with no prevail.
I am planning on installing onboard air myself. I can get a pretty decent 12v compressor at my local o'reily and i want to mount it somewhere underneath the bed. Might fab a fiberglass box if i cant find a toolbox to put it in. Then run power and air line to a switch and pressure gauge in the cab. I would love to buy the arb compressor that can handle tires and the locker (saving up the $900some for the ARB Rear) but they want around $500 for that thing.

 

This may illustrate my inexperience with air, but would these lockers require a constant volume (like how different air tools require different air volume from the compressor) or is it like airbags that just need pressurized?

 

I know of some jeep owners that converted their AC compressors to a onboard air set up . This way you could run your ARB lockers or provide air for tools or to inflate your tires

 

They have a valve that hold the pressure in the line. When you turn it off you can hear the pressurized air being released. I had a front ARB in my old 02 and it worked like a charm right up until I sold it (put the truck back to stock before getting rid of it). I purposely did not get a TRD this time around because I am going to put front and rear ARB's in it.

 

You like the ARB over the TRD then? I have read debate of E-Locker vs. air locker. I work a lot with gas burning appliances and I think i would rather troubleshoot air leaks over electrical issues any day. How hard was it to install?

I just installed a 12v compressor in my '98. The best one I could find locally. Ran a switch above the interior fuse box on the dash and added an in-line fuse. Hid the compressor in the compartment under the back seat on the drivers side. There is already a rubber plug at the back of the cab right there that ill use to run air line to the rear. Debating on a regulator and tank... I havent found much need for them yet.

 

I've had both and they both worked well for me. In my 02 the mod to be able to run the e-locker in 2hi, 4hi and 4lo was much easier than what I read for the 2nd gens. I didn't want to mess with any of that so I decided I will install a pair of ARBs. I had a friend that worked at 4WheelParts do the install for me so I can't comment on difficulty of that. I bought a spare diff, put it in my truck and sent my original diff and the ARB to the installer. When I got it back I just had to swap the front diffs and connect my air line. I may do something similar on my '14.

 

I cannot seem to find the information that I am looking for, but you all seem to be close. I have the TRD Sport package in 4x4 but it doesn't have the e-locker in the rear. I would like to install a rear diff lock, but don't really want to dump a bunch of money into the project. I was thinking of just adding a factory e-locker from a donor truck (if I could find one) and call it good. I don't hear too many people complaining about their factory lockers. Has to be better than none at all. From what it sounds, it would be easier to just add and ARB and spend the 1k in doing so? Why can I not just find a factory locker that someone is removing and use it on my truck?

I also hear that the Sport package has a larger axel in the rear so it is actually preferred? Im not sure if this is overall width of the axel or the differential itself. If the differential is a different size on the two trucks, then I am to assume that I cannot simply swap out the differentials.

I am just starting my research so please be gentle.

 

Honestly, unless you score a great deal on a donor axle from a TRD Offroad truck and are able to install it yourself with some help (or have a connection with a shop), I don't know if you'll be saving any money doing a swap versus installing an ARB air locker.

Toyota e-lockers are great but the ARB ones are just as effective and reliable (of course you'll hear guys rooting for one over the other, but the fact is they're both great lockers and they both have their weaknesses).

Another advantage to going ARB is you don't have to search for a donor, but if you can locate one and are able to do the work without paying a ton for labor, then I'd go that route. I think the ratio of the gears and size of the 3rd member in the Sport versus Offroad is what the difference is, and that's why you can't just swap the locker itself from the Offroad, you have to swap the whole axle.

 

I appreciate your input. I would do the installation myself whether its an OEM e-locker or a ARB but it sounds like the ARB would be the more practical way to go. Ill look around for a donor but I don't think I will spend much time with it. If the prices are roughly the same the ARB (or any air locker) would be my preference.