I've been wanting to get a hunting/camping/overland/housework truck for a while. I keep coming back to a Regular or Ext Cab Tacoma 2.7L 5-sp in the 01-04 vintage. I don't think any of them were equipped with an e-locker from the factory, so I am interested in swapping one in. This is a project I would like to work on myself. I am fairly limited in mechanical work, but I believe there is enough info out there to get this done (via forums, youtube, etc.). I have done basic routine maintenance, suspension work, and brakes. Nothing really major in terms of drivetrain work.
I've found sometimes that what's on paper and doing it in real life can be drastically different and on another difficulty level. For instance, swapping out steering rack bushings wasn't as easy as outlined in the repair manual. Getting the bushings back in took a long time (I think took me 8 hours overall). So I'm wondering how difficult the e-locker axle swap would be? (I'm probably going to get a whole axle). What type of issues could potentially pop up? This will be my 3rd vehicle, so not pressed for time, so I can take it at my pace, but would want it running sooner than later.
If this is going to be too difficult, I may try to find a rare 4-cyl TRD with e-locker.
I've found sometimes that what's on paper and doing it in real life can be drastically different and on another difficulty level. For instance, swapping out steering rack bushings wasn't as easy as outlined in the repair manual. Getting the bushings back in took a long time (I think took me 8 hours overall). So I'm wondering how difficult the e-locker axle swap would be? (I'm probably going to get a whole axle). What type of issues could potentially pop up? This will be my 3rd vehicle, so not pressed for time, so I can take it at my pace, but would want it running sooner than later.
If this is going to be too difficult, I may try to find a rare 4-cyl TRD with e-locker.
Thanks for the info. I guess I didn't think about the gear ratios. That could be an issue...
