tacoma front locker install

strange1

strange1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Location
Elkin
I'm thinking it may be time to put an Aussie locker in the front of my tacoma. Is there anything special I need to do, or to keep an eye on while I split this thing apart? I'm seriously thinking about taking the diff out and bringing to @Tarheel 4WD Center in charlotte so I dont have to worry about it.
 
T7.5 lunchbox lockers do not retain the axle at the same distance as the spider gears this allows the shaft to float outboard about a .250 which can cause seal leaks and failures. I recommend buying a new axle seal and upon install not installing it flush but leaving it out a bit. Would also install one of our clamshell bushings to help properly support the CV shaft. CV's get pretty sloppy in a spider gear set-up and even worse with a lunchbox. Most carriers are machine bored to a .003-.006 tolerance where the side gears ride Toyota clamshell carriers are not. The support is then transfered to the spider pinion gears. The needle bearing provision Toyota designed into the case is insufficient. For further explanations of this issue see our product page. Tech video and install instructions with pictures. http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-14472912-toyota-7-5-clamshell-bushing.html .

Here is also a quick reference for all lunchbox locker installs since no one can read the instruction books sent...This is the cliff notes http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/files/PDF Files/lunchbox-locker-install-instructions.pdf
 
I will be happy to do it if you want to bring the 3rd down. We would want to do the axle seal and ECGS bushing as well with the install. Just let me know.

Andy
 
I know I had read about all that stuff @Cperry said, but couldnt find the thread. It's just a decision of which truck to spend on at the moment....
 
StretchASU said:
Spend money on the 1st gen chassis/build...just my opinion.
Click to expand...

After picking up a bellhousing for it yesterday, that is what I am leaning towards. I originally thought I would have to get a custom input bearing retainer made for the SM420. But Zack had an old cast-iron car bellhousing, it has the correct (smaller) center bore for my bearing retainer and it accepts the larger truck flywheel. I'm hoping that I will just need to get the snout turned down to fit the GM throwout bearing. Fingers crossed, I may have a drivetrain in it before next winter....
 
HGSR said:
Glad I read this, going down this road as soon as funds allow
Click to expand...

I feel your pain. I'm trying to do this and swap the truck to manual hubs at the same time. Luckily, I found a donor for very cheap to get all the hub swap parts and a diff that I can work on without taking my truck apart till it's all ready to go.
 
I bought a 4.56 geared diff from a salvage yard on eBay. Assured me it was 4.56. Soon as I opened the box I knew it was time to deal with another hassle. Auto disconnect 4.10.
 
I would ask for a refund to prevent me from reporting it as fraud......
 
I did a good amount of research on this before I got my truetrac installed. I pulled my diff. And had Chris at buckeye install the truetrac in my 97 4runner 7.5 front diff because it was a full carrier type and would need bearings pressed on/off and gears set-up again. That being said, I have seen enough good write-ups on different forums that I would feel confident enough to install a ratchet type locker in one myself. There is a very good write-up on t4r I'll see if I can find
 
I'm comfortable with either in a regular case, heck I installed a trutrac in a gm 10-bolt using only a hammer, a torque wrench, and a set of dial calipers. But I remember seeing a write up about the bushing and seal design flaws on these clamshells and I'm not sure I want to do it myself. Installing it back in the truck only to find out I made a mistake would not make for a fun days work.
 
I don't know If it means anything but the truetracs have the same flaws as far as the axle not seating at the same distance. Mine didn't leak after a couple 1000 miles, a trip to Harlan and busting a CV. That was without new seals. It may just be luck of the draw??? I think the bushing would be a good idea to do while you are in there though, ecgs recommend one for my install also.
 
Last edited:
It's just my typical luck with mail order, ups took three days to get it out of NC Shelby to Gastonia to Greensboro to Asheville finally to KY only to get a email this am saying they left if behind at the facility to expect another shipping day lol I have very bad luck with mail order sometimes.

But I will order all ECGS recommends to do the install. Keep us posted on how yours goes.


strange1 said:
I would ask for a refund to prevent me from reporting it as fraud......
Click to expand...
 
I just pulled the trigger on lock rights front and rear with seals and the bushing for the front. Did you tackle yours yet?
 
Not yet. I have most of the parts, and am planning on stripping the manual hub parts truck this weekend. If all goes well, I will have the locker (Yukon Spartan) installed into the donor diff Monday evening. I'm not doing the bushing, because the manual hub diffs are designed a little different than the ADD diff and the case would need to be bored out to accept the bushing. It is recommended to do that, but I'm cheap and willing to take a chance.
 
I didn't know until I looked at my emailed invoice but that diff bushing won't work with the manual hub carrier. Idk if you knew that it not but Iam glad I noticed that before it shipped. But being yours is auto hubs and your just changing the tube this won't pertain to your set up.
 
I am swapping diffs as well.
 
You just have to remember to drive like you have a locker and stay with a reasonable tire size. I don't believe the problems associated with the case design are going to be a big deal on a truck with manual hubs. If you have the ADD system and cannot unlock, then yes you need the bushing upgrade.
 
I have not. I did order upper ball-joints and inner/outer TRE's yesterday, so that when I do get started I can handle the maintenance as well. My mom and sister are having us a house warming party in a few weeks, I told the wife as soon as the last guest leaves I'm blocking it up in the front yard and tearing it apart. How do you like the locker? I've seen a few pics of you playing on FB.
 
Back
Top