I know this has been asked and discussed a million times, but I'm going to throw it out there again. I have an 85 pickup, my step pappy has a 97 LX450 (FZJ80) and we are getting ready to sell. 212,000 miles needs a new home. I have heard and read a lot about using the electric lockers in pickups like mine... I hear there are modifications required to fit the fzj third into my axle... OK so if I did the modification and put the third in my truck could I put my stock thrid back into the FZJ?? In order to make it run and sell it again? Minus lockers of course.

Also I have read alot about using the front, but not the rear?? Is it swappable for anything?

Thanks

More work to do as you have to fill in the notch in the mounting flange (the one you cut one on the install) and then drill and tap some holes for the mounting studs.

How large is the 'modification' that would have to be done to my axle and undone to the FZJ axle?? not affraid of the welders and grinders... If its too much of a pain I'm not worried about it... Just a thought before the LX goes up on ebay...

Could not tell from your intial e-mail if you had already installed the e-lockers or not or even read about the installtion. If not, read this, it'll answer all your q's:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/electric_locker/

Thanks for the response. I had not seen that yet. It looks doable to swap back and forth only problem area being replacing the larger cutout towards the botom of the picture.

Probably to much work to worry about, but its an option for a couple weeks...
Are there axle spline differences in the FZJ thrid and the stock 8"?

Thanks Again

Same splines or else the swap would not be possible.

Your low-pinion diff won't work in the 80 because the steering won't clear the diff.

And I'm assuming you're only talking about the front diff anyway. The rear diff is not swappable (very different).

Was just going to type that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Suppose you could swap in a non-e-locker high pinion diff in there, but then the cost savings on the "free" e-locker is mostly lost.

The modifications are not much either to do or undo as the case may be. Below is a factory E-Locker flange bolted up to a 4cyl open third:






As already mentioned the steering setup on a 80 requires a HP third: