Good conversion well worth it! Help's a lot in the SNOW!

 

True, but the pre-wiring only covers about half of whats needed. Regardless, you'll have to run some wires. One of the write-ups shows you how to find if it's pre-wired

 

Most SR5's will be pre-wired...as mine was...but a friend of mine who does these type of mods on a regular basis says that model's below SR5 are more then likely NOT to be pre-wired.

 

Ya I will figure it out I guess! Loll

 

Went through this exact dilema. I had bought the elocking third to install/retrofit my axle. Then decided it was best to just install the entire axle. I purchased the entire assembly from a 97 4runner that was in a junk yard.

I also had 4.10 gears. However 4runners with a locker and that are automatic come with 4.30. The manual has a 4.10, and good luck finding one of those. If you go with 4.30 in the rear you will have to swap out your front high pinion as well so both front and rear gears match.

The swaps go pretty easy. The front high pinion can be tough but with a buddy you should be able to do it.

As for wiring I would recommend the harness from 12voltguy. It was just plug and play.

The front and rear axles cost me ~$400 and the harness was $149. For me this was the best way to lock my rear axle with oem parts, (except the switch).

After taking it on the trails and experiencing the difference I was amazed. Now I'm looking to lock the front and regear to 4.88 to better handle my 33s.

Here is a link to my process, as a newbie. Not really a build thread but there is alot of helpful info/links.
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130482

 

Wow, I can't believe someone giving advise on locking differentials has something to say against the reliability or effectiveness of a detroit.

I have a rock crawling jeep with dana 60's and could not imagine using a detroit.

Keeping in mind this isn't my commuter.
Off road, the rear end should have a detroit.

Up front selectable is the way to go but, there is some serious mis-information from someone downplaying the strength or reliability of a true detriot locker.

Look at any rock crawling comp., or ask anyone with a real rock crawling rig, detroits what go's in the rear.

I've broken more dana 60 shafts than I can count and never had a problem with the detroit.

Frank

 

Unfortunately, they do not make a Detroit for our 96-2002 4Runner rear ends (that I could find at least)

 

Touche!
Exuse my Toyota ignorance, but, what is different on our axles vs. the generation before?
Are they still geared 4.10? I assumed they were the same.
Oops!

 

The only difference I know of is that they lengthened the axle a little bit. 4.10's and 4.30's were the most common (in Auto v6 4Runners at least)