I have found a 3rd generation e-locker for my 1990 4 runner - 3.0L automatic
running 31" tires - I believe that my gearing is the 4.88's.

The e-locker is geared with 4.30 gears - will this work ? Will my 4.88 gears
work in the e-locker ? What effect would the 4.30 gear have on my power and gas mileage ? With the rear 4.30 what effect in 4wd will it have with the stock front gearing ?

Trying to do the homework before the purchase and figuring money needed to do the swap. Oh - I tried the search function - no help !

Thanks in advance - Experts !!!!! This place rocks

 

Bump ?

 

First off, the e-locker can be fitted to your axle housing. Bad news is that you have to pull the entire rear axle, do some cutting, grinding, welding, drilling, and tapping to get it to work. More bad news is that the 96+ thirds are high pinion and yours isn't. I don't think you can simply put your 4.88's in the e-locker third and then modify your housing and install it. Maybe you can, maybe you can't. You CAN buy the elocker (if it's a killer deal) then sell it for $400 or so (they're like $750 new from Toyota) and then use the profits to put that towards an ARB and compressor if you think you need a selectable locker. An ARB will run you $625 + another $175 for the compressor + shipping ($40) + about $200 for the install labor and another $100 for new bearigns and shims. Total is about $1150 or so. It hurts, but it's worth it as far as capability goes.

For more info on the e-locker swap, look it up under the tech section or a search. It's pretty involved to get one into a 96+ non-locked axle, then you also have to wire it up which isn't fun either.

Good Luck.

If I were you, then I'd keep my eye out on Pirate for a pre-96 locked ARB 4.88 third. They come up from time to time...

 

My understanding is you have to regear the front if you change the gear ratio in the rear, but I am no expert on those issues.

You'll get less low-end grunt with the 4.30s, but probably better fuel economy.

 

He'll either need to have all 4.88's or all 4.30's, and IIRC, he can't just swap the 96+ gears into his earlier third. I think the e-locker can be made to work, but it's going to take some creative work by people that know a hellova lot more about gears and thirds than I do.

 

Which is exactly why I am asking this question !!!!!
Before I spend the money - I 've read the post about modifying the axle to except the e-locker - That can be done no problem. I really like my gear ratio and it works good off-road with the 31's. I was hoping that someone had already done this swap to a 2nd generation. I do want a selectable locker in the rear - trying to save a little money here.

I may just buy a Detroit locker and swap it in an out during wheeling season and winter. I do not trust a full time locker in ice and snow conditions.