Some of you saw my thread on a project I started recently. Basically I'm doing the Christian(<96 Runner>) mod. I found a good deal on a 4Runner with the e-locker. I swapped the axles and will resell it when I'm finished.

I swapped the rearends about a month weeks ago:


It was pretty easy and straight forward even working alone. The only thing left is the wiring. I'm able to reuse the diff lock ECU and the wiring harness that connects the diff from the donor 4Runner. The dash wiring is already there as part of every stock harness. The only thing that I need to do is run the wiring from where the diff harness comes into the cab under the rear driver side seat up to the ECU behind the driver kick pannel. That should be completed tonight. I'm basically doing this for the wiring.

Then 3 weeks ago I pulled the front diff. After seeing how much work it was to get out and realizing that I did not want to do it again, I took the opportunity to have an ARB RD-90 installed. It was also nice to do it while I had a donor diff so I wasn't without my truck for any length of time.

I ordered the ARB from Performance Off Road Center. It took a few weeks to get the locker due to an ARB SNAFU and the SEMA show. Once I did get the locker I had it installed by Rearend Specialties and am so far happy with the work. When I picked up the diff I asked what kind of condition the gears were in since the diff had almost 150K miles on it. They said that they were surprised how good the gears looked and guessed that it had rarely, if ever, been put in 4WD.

Two weekends ago I installed the ARB air compressor while the diff was at the shop. I installed it on the passeger side wheel well. I went with the compact compressor since I only want to actuate the locker with it. I already have CO2 for on-board air and if I ever switch over to a compressor as a source for all my air needs it definately won't be an ARB.






This last weekend I swapped in the locked front diff. I didn't take any pics durring the install. What a pain! Getting that front diff lined up just right so you can fit it between the oil pan and transmission bell housing while trying to line up that bolt that sticks out the bottom...

Well, it's done now and here's what I have to show for it:


Once I got it installed I wanted to make sure that it locked up ok. It took me 45 minutes of trial and error and head scratching and thinking it was busted before I remembered about ADD. :pat: I was trying to test it in 4WD but with the engine off. The engine must be on to activate the ADD system.

Well, as previously mentioned, I'm still finalizing the wiring, but isn't this a pretty sight?

 

Awesome work Brad! And thanks for naming a swap after me,

It really is a great way to go, especially if you can get a good deal on the donor rig. I actually mounted my RR Diff Lock button by the e-brake, mainly because the original location was being used by the Clifford Alarm LED. I like the original spot better, but oh well.

Maybe we can go wheeling someday.

 

Actually, that's not even the original spot the diff lock button. That's the spot where the Clutch Start Cancel button goes if you have a 5 speed. The original location is even farther over towards the steering wheel. But since I hardly ever use the clutch start cancel button I'm moving it to the less convenient location.

 

You'll be all set for AZ, thats for sure.

 

lookin' good.
makes me think about locking the front.


Tires on their way tomorrow

 

Hopefully I won't have to wait until then to really test it out!

 

I got the wiring completed for the rear locker last night and tested it out. I now have true 4 wheel drive.

I still need to:
- Disable the 4WD safety on the rear locker
- Fix an air leak at the compressor
- Wire the ARB and stock switches to illumination so they light up when the headlights are on
- Pickup some spare CV shafts

 

you mean now its time to break front CV shafts

 

Oh yeah! Added that to my list of to dos.

 

Which trip?

 

With the "other" board.