Can an arb locker be installed on the front without having to reseat the gears. I ask this because I want to regear, I also want an arb locker on the front, but can only afford to regear right now. I also am wondering exactly what gearing I want. I have read some posts and I am thinking 4.88. I drive mostly in town, on the highway I rarely go over 75-80. I would like be geared as low as possible without running over 4000 rpm's in 5th Gear at 75-80 mph. I don't know what gears mine came with, but I am guessing 4.1 -96 4runner SR5 V6 - Is there an easy way to check? Also I am now running 33x12.50.

Thanks

 

here's my two cents, short and simple - the ARB locker replaces the carrier, 4.88s sound good for you, heres info on your diff: http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

 

I'm not sure about your ARB question, but if it were up to me I would probably regear with 4.56's. I think it would be about the best of both world's with 33's. As for the stock gears, if yours came from the factory with 15" wheels, then it most likely had 3.90 gears. The 16" wheel package got you the 4.10's and the ones equipped with the factory locker came with an option of 4.10's or 4.30's. Maybe some other guys will chime in that know more about the ARB stuff.

 

Since the carrier gets replaced by installing an ARB, the gears must be reset, at least the backlash. The pinion depth should be just fine since you really don't have to mess with it.

 

Yes, you have to set the gears.

If you are going to lock it soon, why not just wait. Doing it the way you are proposing involves paying for gear set up twice which is not cheaper.

Get 4.88's with 33's.

 

Mine came with the 16" wheels and a factory locker, but I have driven similar 4runners that didn't come with a locker and they feel the same so more than likely I have 4.10's.

I figured that this was the case, good to know.

If I lock it it won't be for anougher year or two. I am getting 13-14 mpg now so I think it would be worth it to do it now and get a couple of mpg better, especially with gas prices as they are.

 

check your door jam for the code (see link above), most of the e-locked 4Rs with a V6 got 4.30s.

 

I have looked at this link before, but I can't figure out any numbers on my door jam that would make sense.

The only numberS other than the vin and tire size are:

VZN185L-GKMGKA
C/TR 056/FW16
A/TM A03A/R150F

 

In each line think of the first group of letters (probably printed on the tag) a designation for what the second group (probably stamped into the tag) stands for:

C and 056 refer to the color code, C for color and 056 is the actual code.
TR stands for trim code and FW16 is the actual code.

The third line hold the magic numbers though.
A = Axle = A03A
TM = Transmission = R150F

The axle code breaks down as follows:
First "A" = 7.5" ring gear (I always wonder why there aren't two axle codes when the diffs are different)
"03" = 4.10 ratio
Last "A" = 2-pinion

FWIW, I use this page to decode axle codes (use the second table).

 

I am still a little confused

I have anouther question. You used the 2nd table which is for 4T Vins, I forgot to mention mine is a JT. The second table says that it would be a 2 pinion; however the website says that e-locker diffs are 4 pinion

Maybe somebody installed the locker afterwards, but I don't think they did because nothing on the vehicle was even slightly modified can't imaging somebody who would put out that much money on a locker wouldn't modify anything else.

 

Except that the code refers only to the front differential, hence my question why there aren't two codes on '86 and newer trucks/4Runners, ie FA/RA/TM A03A/B03A/R150F. As fas as the 4T/JT question, I think it's more a question of dates not where is was made. I think there's some magical date (maybe 1989) at which you go from the first table to the second one.

 

Thanks Dave - I am no longer

 

waking up an old thread - I am confused. Just like Cubuff I have A03A axel code on my 99 sp5 unlocked SR5 (JT.... vincode). I was wondering does that mean I have 7.5" ring gear and 4.10 diff ratio and 2-pinion. If so does this preclude me from installing an E-locker. I know lockers should be available in 4.10 and 4.30 ratios at least, but I not sure on the 7.5" thing. Can someone educate my on this?
Thanks

 

Most 99's have 4.10's at least the automatics do. lockers that are in 4.10's are in a manual transmission and lockers geared with 4.30 are in auto's! and thats about all i kno

 

Thanks. I think the VZ185L code points to the same though a link to Steves old table no longer works

 

here is a easy way to check your ratio.
1. jack up one rear wheel.
2. put tranny in neutral, release e-brake.
3. put the valve stem of the jacked up wheel at top dead center.
4. place a mark on the driveshaft where you can watch it all times.
5. spin the wheel around exactly 2 times.
6. count revolutions of driveshaft.
if the driveline spins just a little bit over four turns=4.10
if it spins four and a half times=4.56
etc.
different rules apply for posi's and lockers. you would instead jack up both wheels and only turn the wheel one revoplution.
be sure to lock in the hubs when checking the front.

 

I guess I will have to try this to be certain