PRADO locking diff in KZN185???

[Jon Tallis]

I fancy fitting a rear locker to my 3rd Gen but can't justify buying a new locker (ARB or whatever) I've read that the Long Wheelbase Prado / Colorado came with a locking rear diff as standard.

• Does anyone know if this is correct?
• If so will the Prado locker fit in the Surf diff casing and what else is involved in fitting the locker? (drilling holes for cables in the diff casing etc??)
• If the diff won't fit, will a Prado axle fit straight onto a 3rd gen Surf?
• Are the Prado and Surf axle ratios the same??

[TonyN]

In theory yup, you'll need to do some wiring as its electric. I plan on doing the same for mine but will swap the whole axle, as it has disc brakes.

There are a range of ratios, you need to make sure the donor 'cruiser matches your front diff, or get the front diff out of it as well. Otherwise fit your gears to the new locker, but is a bit of a specialist job.

[rikm777]

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/.This is the best site i,ve seen for toyota diff ratio information
Wiring Toyota e lockers up is fairly simple .you can wire them up with one DPDT switch on their own circuit.if you want to hook them into your cars ecu to achieve a factory type install it gets rather complicated

[rikm777]

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

[Jon Tallis]

Rikm.
Thanks - great info and really useful link.

Is the Prado axle a straight swap (except for the brakes being different?)
Any issues with brake-balance swaping to disks?
Where do I find my diff ratios marked?

I wouldn't mind changing to a higher ratio drive so swapping both diffs might not be a bad idea (even though it'll probably cost me more than fitting an ARB locker!)

Would be great so see a post on the axle swap when you do it.

Jon.

[rikm777]

i think swopping both axles would still be cheaper than an arb locker.i,m not sure if its a straight swop.As the 3rd gen surf and the LC90 are built on the same running gear to the best of my knowledge i think theres a good chance the axles are the same.i,ve not seen any threads on this mod on the forum so i ,m thinking axle ratios may well be different.the site i sent you the link for goes through the procedure for working out your diff ratios.i,m guessing there might be a little bit of messing with the handbrake connections.i wouldnt have thought there be any major brake bias problems but i,m no expert on braking systems.if you buy the axles from a breakers make sure the calipers are on the axles because they have a habit of selling these separately and not telling you that they,re missing from the "complete " axle you,ve just bought.i speak from experience on this one as calipers can be really hard to get hold of
If your surf has an open rear diff then putting the e locker into your diff may well be a go.i did this last year on my LJ70.Its a fair bit of work tho.You,ll have to modify the diff casing and tap additional studs as well because the e locker 3rd member is normally slightly different.the site i sent you a link for shows how to wire it up off a simple DPDT(DOUBLE POLE DOUBLE THROW) switch .hope this helps

[Jon Tallis]

Thanks.....

Many thanks for the info.
If / when you get yours done, post some info & I'l do the same.

Thanks again.

[TonyN]

Any issues with brake-balance swaping to disks?
Where do I find my diff ratios marked?

No, you have ABS, no bias valve. But may need Colorado handbrake cables if ends are different.

On the Data plate, it'll say A03B or simular, google your code and you'll find your ratio.

[Jon Tallis]

Thanks

Thanks Tony - good intel.
Have found a Prado breaking in Ireland - waiting for some prices.

[rikm777]

i paid £350-00 last year for a rear axle with a electric locker off an early shape prado(kzj 78).it was missing its calipers tho.i would imagine 4 to possibly 450 would be top money on a rear axle with locker

[Albannach]

i paid £350-00 last year for a rear axle with a electric locker off an early shape prado(kzj 78).it was missing its calipers tho.i would imagine 4 to possibly 450 would be top money on a rear axle with locker

Seriously? £400 for an old axle? I'd be looking for the whole truck for that!

[Ambobeer]

They seem to hold their money stupidly. There's one on the bay currently that looks like it's only good for keeping chickens in for £1.7K

[rikm777]

i guess if you the room to store it and break it then a whole truck is the way to go but i,ve never seen a scrapped LC90 going for as little as £400 as the engines alone are worth probably twice that.£350 to £400 for an axle with the toyota e locker against probably £1100 or more for arb air locker set up seems fairly reaasonable to me.A much easier mod to do as well as you,ll know if you look at what is involved to modify your rear diff casing to accept an air locker

[JasonNorris666]

I'm currently in the process of fitting a UK colorado (prado) rear axle including locking diff into my kzn185 - does anyone have a diagram or any info on how to wire up the electronic locker? there's mention of it earlier in the thread but no link and I've not been able to find it.