My truck went from open diffs with 4.10s to fully locked with 4.30s in just over one day!

Actually it took around nine months of prep to make this install go as smoothly as possible. I had the ARB already installed in a spare IFS diff and the compressor and tank have been installed for a while. I installed the e-locker ECU, dash switch, and harness this spring. So theoretically I was ready for plug and play.

We would have been able to finish it in one day except my brother melted an outer CV boot trying to heat up one of the lower ball joint bolts. That took us around three hours to locate a boot (actually had to go to the parts store and measure out one that would work) and get it on the axle. Even with that little snag we were able to finish the install by Sunday morning. And now I know how to swap a CV axle in this rig so I do not have to learn how in the boonies. The e-locker retrofit was pretty straight forward thanks to all the great write-ups. I’ve driven it around 100 miles since the install and NO LEAKS!

Lockers make it easier to find places to check for leaks:


Anyway, I just wanted to thank all the resource on this board who helped out with advice over the past year since I bought my runner. I’ve been without a locker since I sold my last truck and am psyched to have a locked rig again.

 

sweet deal man

 

Yup, there's nothing like all four wheels putting power to the ground. The 4.30s are nice too. It puts me pretty much back to stock gearing with my 32s.

 

Wow, impressive! I'm jealous. Where in MN are you?

 

Thats awesome you got both axles locked! I was wondering for the e-locker, how was it modifying the axle housing? was it pretty hard?

 

St. Paul. We did the work at my brother's garage in WI.

Modifying the axle wasn't that difficult. Just careful grinding, drilling, tapping, and two small welds. Pho's and all the other write-ups took all the guesswork out of the process. Once the housing was off the truck, it took around three hours to get the e-locker 3rd installed. We drilled the holes with a hand drill and got em straight enough. My brother's the welder, so I finished up the wiring while he layed the beads and grinded them down. Cleaning out the housing took almost as long as making the mods.

 

Damn I'm glad this board is back up - I was going through Yotatech withdrawal!

I shot a few more pics yesterday:


Every dash plug is filled!


The viar 450 is a much faster compressor than the ARB. The red hose goes to the tank under the bumper. The green thing is the viar, heavy-duty 85-105 psi pressure switch.


Here's the one-gallon viar air tank tucked inside the ARB bumper out of harms way. I may add another on to the other side to add more volume.