locking hubs

Anyone have suggestions for locking hubs that would fit a 2005 4runner sport edition V6? Last year I replaced my CV axles and lately I have had issues with one side backing all the way out of 4wd. One side backs out fine and the other side tries to back out but wont go all the way so I believe there is a problem with the diaphragm on the vacuum hubs. However, I live on a remote island in Alaska so its difficult for me to get things worked on unless I do it myself and its hard to get parts. As a result, I’m at the point where I think I would like to switch to a manual system that will hopefully be less maintenance while being more reliable. I am wondering if anyone here can tell me which locking hubs would fit this year, make and model? Thanks.

 

It’s a center disconnect called ADD, not vacuum hubs. The drive axles never unlock at the hubs and only the passenger side disconnects from the diff.

 

Not quite sure if I fully understand your problem since I don’t believe these are vacuum actuated. But this might help if you have some solenoids preventing you from using 4WD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaKMXzLIEls

 

Thanks for the replies.

To try and clarify, the vehicle goes into 4wd just fine, there are no issues in 4wd or with engaging the 4wd. The problem is when I take the vehicle out of 4wd, the passenger side seems to disengage normal, the driver side however doesnt seem to back all the way out and you can hear what sounds like the ends of the splines rubbing. I thought this might be the splines on the cv axles and the hub are rubbing together since the driver side doesnt back all the way out when you try and disengage the 4wd. Fortunately its winter time and the island I live on doesnt have a road with a speed limit above 45 mph so lately I have just been driving it with 4wd engaged at all times.

Im trying to fix whatever might be causing the drivers side from fully disengaging from 4wd. I was wondering if there was a manual locking hub that would fit a 4runner. If there was a manual locking hub that would work, my plan was just to fully replace the hub in hopes that would solve the issues. Unless Im wrong on it being the driver side and its actually the passenger side at the differential as the first response implied in this thread. I know some basics but Im certainly no expert mechanic.

Its not practical for me to get the vehicle to a toyota dealer as I would have to ship it by barge 150 miles to Juneau which would cost me close to $3,000 before a mechanic even turned a wrench. Ideally I can find a solution that I can do myself since there is only 1 mechanic on our island and hes booked out months in advance.

 

Possibly sound like you’re experiencing the classic needle bearing issue that these have. It sounds like an unevenly worn tire.

One guy in Hawaii offered a locking conversion kit but it was pricey and I don't think anyone really went for it. There are no standard kits like with other makes such as the American brands.

 

Yeah I agree, it sounds like a needle bearing issue if it goes away in 4wd and returns in 2wd. Check this thread out, the tacomas have the same diff and needle bearing issue up front. You can buy a bushing from East Coast Gear Supply to replace it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/needle-bearing-yes-replace-it-ecgs.716338/

 

What do you do that you live on a remote island near Alaska with no paved roads and a 150 mile boat ride to the nearest major city, lol?

 

thanks again for the replies. Ill have to give this a try and go from there.

Wrangell is a small island fishing community of about 2,000 people. Weve got 13 miles of paved roads and about another 100 miles of old logging roads. Ive been here for 15 years, use to guide and work as a boat captain and now work for public works. You have to take a boat or a plane no matter which way you go but the nearest town from us is Petersburg which is 40 miles to the north. Juneau is the nearest Toyota dealer.

This isnt the first time trying to figure out what to do given my location. A couple years ago I had to take out the suspension and go standard since I dont have access to the machine they use to pressurize that system. Similar to the original intent of my question, anyway I can simplify the system the better off ill be. The vast majority of my driving is going out the logging roads so they are rough miles. Still, Ive got about 200,000 miles on my 05 4runner, runs great just cant get it all the way out of 4wd.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/manual-locking-hubs-knuckle-universal.764056/

I found this and it might be helpful. I am no mechanic and I have seen it done on the YouTube fabricators that I watch but it has been a while.

I know it is a Tacoma thread as well, but hopefully you get some insight into the way to fix it.

Good luck and I will be watching because I want to do it to my 3rd gen

 

This is the guy that used to do them. Maybe contact him.