Former Jeep Guy

Good afternoon folks. I'm not yet a 4runner owner. Except for an 8 yr stint with a Dodge Raider(Montero). I've been a jeep driver since '81. Just sold my '01 XJ which I drove for 24 yrs. Waiting to get my 1st 4runner. Trying to buy the new Trailhunter. One of my jeep buddies(Rubicon driver) insists that you cant put a locker in an independent front axle. I personally dont know. I looked for info on a front locker in the Trailhunter, but didn't see any. Seems to me for that kind of money, it should have front and rear lockers. If not, any recommendations? FYI since I just sold the last jeep I will own. I threw away the drip pan in my garage.
If this post looks familiar. It's because I posted it as a reply to the "New Dude" thread. Sorry still learning to navigate.

 

I haven't heard about any trim level having a front locker, only a rear. I found this video on the Trail Hunter that discusses it. Fast forward the video to 11:45.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGaul5o8gOc&t=778s

 

Yes, you can get a locker but don’t.

Get used to the vehicle and see how ATRAC and Crawl Control perform before you make your decision.

 

After 24 years with a Jeep 4.0 I would think that you would prefer the 4.0 of a 5th gen over a turbo 4 cylinder hybrid 6th gen.

 

Yep. This

 

I like the new motor, way better torque figures op good luck with the new gen 4runner

 

Welcome

 

Welcome

 

Welcome

 

Welcome!

Nope, unfortunately Toyota has deemed us all unworthy of a front locker. Last time Toyota offered one in the US was in 1997, in the 80 series Landcruiser. (My .02, the high water mark for Yota 4x4s in the US)

There are a few people running them (aftermarket) in the 5th gen and older 4Runners, but I don't think many people take them to places where a front locker is a necessity. I would imagine you'd be able to add one to the Gen6, but I'm not sure if the diff in the new one is the same. It's pretty likely though, Toyota likes to carry over parts.

I don't think you'll need one though. The ATRAC traction control on these is quite effective. I come from a 97ZJ, so I feel your pain about open diffs. The ATRAC makes world of difference though. Just keep your foot in it and ATRAC will figure it out. It's not exactly like having a locker, it brakes the spinning wheel to send power to the wheel with traction. It works great for crawling situations, but not so much in deep mud or snow when you just want wheelspin.

I stay out of mud if possible, so it hasn't been an issue for me yet. Mine has the rear locker, but I haven't been in a situation yet where ATRAC couldn't pull through. Or probably I'm just not wheeling hard enough, haha.

There aren't going to be any good videos of 6th gens in action for a while, but there are plenty that demonstrate the 5th gens ATRAC and Crawl Control in action. Check them out, you may be impressed. They've made improvements for the new gen, so performance should be even better.

Good luck!

 

The only thing they have in common is displacement.

The Jeep 4.0 is all low RPM torque, not much on the top end. The Yota 4.0 is the opposite.

I've owned both, and I prefer the feel of the Jeep 4.0.

I'd wager the character of the 4cyl is much closer to the Jeep 4.0, as it makes peak tq starting under 2k RPM.

 

I was referring to the simplicity of the two 4.0s.

 

I miss my XJ....I went to a Landcruiser.

 

Welcome!

You can add an aftermarket front locker on a 5th Gen. The 6th generation is too new for these mods but I'm sure they'll come soon.
That said, ATRAC works pretty damn well to simulate a front locker. The rear locker can come from the factory on some trims and I'd recommend having it.

If your heart is set on a 6th Gen I'd run it stock for quite a while until aftermarket companies have time for R&D.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

To be clear, you can INSTALL a front locker on a 5th gen. It wasn't ever a factory option, so the only way to get one with a front locker is to buy one already modded.

 

OP was saying his buddy told him front lockers can’t be added on IFS. That’s not true! One can buy a 4R and get an aftermarket locker added (elocker or air locker)

No 4R comes with OEM front locker but it’s absolutely possible to get an aftermarket front locker on IFS.

Most people don’t because between the rear locker and ATRAC, you’ll go through 99% of what you’re going to put your 4R through. If you plan on doing hardcore rock crawling you’d want to keep the Jeep (that’s what I used to do, TJ for hardcore rock crawling and 4R for anything else, but I was content with the 4R and sold the TJ as I don’t do any hard off roading anymore) or modify the hell out of your 4R

 

Front locker can be optioned from the factory on IFS vehicles like the Colorado ZR2, Bronco Sasquatch, Ranger Raptor, Lexus LX700h Overtrail+, Mercedes G-class... but not the 4Runner. An aftermarket front locker may become available later on for 6th gen, like currently available for 5th gen.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Congratulations on your new upcoming 6th gen 4Runner! Welcome to the forum!

 

Correct. My apologies if I made it sound like a factory option. I should have been more clear.

Fixed it^

 

That's exactly what I said. The poster I was quoting made it sound like it was a factory option.