Lockers on 3rd Gen Tundra Platinum 4x4?

I had a 3rd Gen Tacoma with Off Road Pkg and used the rear locker on occasion. When I decided to get a 23 Tundra, I wanted the OR package for the rear locker but then fell in love with the exterior & interior of the Platinum Trim. Yeah, but the Platinum Trim does not have the "Off Road Pkg" option. I now own a Platinum 4x4 and am seriously considering rear & possibly front lockers.

Has anyone on this forum put lockers (e or air) on a 3rd Gen Platinum or any non "Off Road" Tundra. Do you have any regrets doing so? Did you notice any increase in gear noise? If I do the lockers, I will keep the stock Toyota gears; I'm hoping this will keep any gear noises down. I had re-geared my 3rd gen Tacoma at one point with aftermarket gears and they were pretty noisy. I had to have the stock gears put back in because it just drove me crazy. It wasn't a supper loud noise but just enough so that I always new it was there.

 

I understand how you feel, I also really love the platinum interior, but finally decided on the Trd off-road because of the locking rear differential. I think that you will be able to install lockers. I have Arb air lockers on my 4 runner and strongly recommend them along with an air compressor rather than a full Detroit locker, for example, (at least for my applications). I like the ability to turn off the locker and go back to full stock rather than using a limited slip trutrac or a full locker. I’ve also regeared (again, on my 4runner not my Tundra) and had no issues with noise, went with Yukon gears they’re great. Will do some digging re what lockers are available for our 3rd gens

 

Don't think anyone has done aftermarket lockers yet. Call up ORW or 4WP...they can tell you if something is available.

 

nada yet..

 

I see you have a 1974 w/ OR Pkg. Is the reason you said "Nada Yet" because you have been looking for a front locker and can not find one?

 

no one is making lockers of gears yet for the 3rd gen unfortunately outside of Toyotas oem stuff. Nitro was supposed to have gears last fall and still nothing

 

Reviving this old thread since it’s the first result on my google search.

The ARB application guide currently lists their RD264 as compatible with our 3rd gen Tundra’s 9.5” 32 spline rear differential.

Eaton’s 14213-1 is also available for 9.5” 32 spline rear differentials, but you’d need to figure out how to shim it the way ARB calls for it on their kit.

 

you can get the TRD off-road in the platinum now as well

just FYI

 

Just search Car-parts.com and find a full rear end (hub to hub) and swap it out for a version with the locker. Probably cheaper than going with an ARB and compressor. If wired correctly you can use it anytime you want.

 

this wouldn’t be a bad idea, but a whole rear axle goes for about $3500-$5000. Just the center carrier assembly goes for around $1700 though, and that would probably be worth the time saved from the install of an ARB or Eaton. Plus then you don’t need to worry about the Eaton disengaging when you’re in reverse, or setting backlash, or damaging the carrier, or drilling your case.

 

Sometimes you can get one from a head-on or some accident like that if it's still straight. I got one for my 3rd gen 4Runner for $1k, but it was a 4.30 and the opens on that were 4.11, so watch out for that. You might have to change out the front gears - was still a good deal though.

 

I'm not sure that a non e-locker housing will accept a locking diff. I've installed 5 or 6 of the Tacoma/4Runner 8" into various trucks that did not have locking diff housings, it took grinding out the ring gear area, hammering out the diff housing from the inside, tapping for new studs and welding on a shoulder to accept another stud. It would be great if the non locking housing would accept the locking diff without modification.
There is one on Car-Part.com for $1,050.

 

Have a link to it by chance?

 

https://www.augustpohl.com/parts/TOYOTA/TUNDRA/CARRIER_ASSEMBLY/2023/?k=1&fitmentSelected=440-10452