Didn't catch the abbrevation - a little too late last nite and no sleep from being On-Call night before.

From what the Toy Tech were saying - the E-Locker rear ends were NOT leaking like the counterparts. They didn't have a hard reason why.

Thanks for the offer on help - but I'll probably try to tackle this one here.

Andrew

Andrew, check with Brim's Import, they are south of Columbus OH so not too far from you. This would at least allow you to inspect an axle in person, and choke a neck if you need to. I've not dealt with them but they always seem to have a great selection.

If you do this after the holidays, I might be able to help out (no brain, some muscle lol!).

The 4-wheel, 4-channel ABS started in 2001. That means that there's 2 separate brake lines to the rear axle starting in 2001. Based on that, '96-'00 rear axles might be easily swappable.

The 4-wheel ABS started no later than '99 -- possibly earlier. The '99-'00 had 4-wheel, 3-channel ABS (only one brake line to the rear axle).

So do you have just 2-wheel rear ABS or 4-wheel ABS on your '96? Just one brake line to the rear axle, right?

My only concern with saying all '96-'00 rear axles are swappable is that Toyota might have changed/improved not just the ABS computer but also the wheel sensors over the years. I have no idea. It would be best to verify at a dealership's parts department that the replacement ABS parts are the same within the rear axles of those years, then you could feel more confident with model years further from your own.

I'd definitely recommend trying to find some sort of pull-n-save junkyard within a few hundred miles of where you are. You'd be amazed at how much money you can save if you have to remove the part yourself. I've helped friends get complete GM 14-bolt full floater axles for under $100 at those places.

I think it was just a coincidence that the people you talked to hadn't seen problems with the rear axle seals along with the rear locker. I've blown out both of my rear axle seals and I had the stock rear locker with 4.30's.

Also this post in the Toyota forum archives might help a little with gear ratios.

Good news!!!! I took the Runner up to see the Toy Tech in St. Albans, WV (outside Charleston). Turns out he is a huge rockcrawler and loves working on trucks/SUVs that are more than Soccer Mom vehicles.

Anyhow he looked at both sides in the rear. The drivers side is clean. The passenger side appears to be the problem. BUT!!!!, it appears that it is grease leaking from behind the dust cover and not gear oil. I'd have to agree with him after looking at it with him for 30-45min. The usual signs are not there for leaking gear oil (ie the smell, coating the backing plate/inside drum/inside wheel, ect....)

So what the decision for now. He recommended throughly cleaning the rear brake assembly & installing new shoes. Then watch them carefully (every 1000-1500miles) to see if there is more build up. If so, a new rear end would be an answer. I can get behind this suggestion as it costs a bit of time and $50 for new brake parts. So it looks like I'll be doing a rear brake job this weekend. I guess this means no locker yet - Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as the ratio issue, I confirmed with the dealers books that my manual has 4.10 gears.

For anyone - Midwest Auto (Omaha) has a complete rear-end 4.10, ABS, 4x4 w/locker from an '00 (44K miles) for $1100 & $100 shipped. 6mth warranty as well.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I'm taking the cheap/observant way out for now. I'll keep you up to date.

Andrew