Bearings, seals, shims and a solid pinion spacer to rebuild the 8-inch E-Locker rear axle in a 1996-2009 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, GX470 or T100.
A howl from the rear axle on a 3rd or 4th gen 4Runner, an FJ Cruiser, a Lexus GX470 or a first-gen Tundra with the rear locker button usually means the pinion or carrier bearings are done. This TACLOC-SPC master overhaul kit rebuilds the Toyota 8-inch rear (the TV6 axle) that carries the factory electric locker, and it swaps the crush sleeve for a solid pinion spacer so the preload you set stays set.
The 8-inch rear uses a hypoid ring and pinion. The pinion rides on two tapered bearings held in preload, and the locker carrier spins on two side bearings that set backlash. When those bearings wear, the ring and pinion lose their mesh position and start to whine, and pinion play lets the yoke clunk on and off throttle. The locker carrier is a different assembly than the open carrier, so the kit maker lists it separately from the open-diff kit. This kit has pinion head and tail bearings, both carrier bearings, the pinion seal, setup shims, a new pinion nut, ring gear bolts, gear marking compound and sealant, plus the solid spacer. Unlike a crush sleeve, the solid spacer does not keep compressing over time, so preload holds through heavy use, which is why it is popular on regeared trail rigs.
Lift the rear, grab the pinion yoke and push it in and out and up and down. Any felt movement means the pinion bearings or preload are gone. Pull the fill plug and check the oil for glitter; fine paste is normal wear, chips are not. Drive on smooth pavement and note whether the noise follows load (gear mesh) or road speed (bearings). A noisy wheel bearing can fool you, so spin each rear wheel by hand with the axle in neutral. If the ring and pinion teeth are pitted or chipped, plan new gears too, such as the Toyota 8-inch V6 rear ring and pinion; never run old bearings under new gears.
Our listing covers the 1996-2009 Toyota 4Runner, 2007-2009 FJ Cruiser, 2003-2009 Lexus GX470, 2000-2006 Tundra 4WD and 1993-1998 T100 4WD, all with the 8-inch rear and factory E-Locker. The kit maker also lists Tacoma rears with the factory locker. Two honest cautions: the kit maker's own product note reads "not T100," so T100 owners should send us the axle details before ordering, and an open-diff truck needs the Toyota 8-inch open carrier master kit instead. The quickest check is the locker actuator bolted to the carrier housing and the locker switch on the dash. When in doubt, send your year and VIN. Newer 2010-up 4Runners and FJs use the 8.2-inch rear, which takes the 8.2 factory locker master kit.
| Fits | 1996-2009 Toyota 4Runner, 2007-2009 FJ Cruiser, 2003-2009 Lexus GX470, 2000-2006 Tundra 4WD, 1993-1998 T100 4WD with 8-inch E-Locker rear |
| Kit number | TACLOC-SPC |
| Pinion preload | Solid spacer (replaces crush sleeve) |
| Weight | 10 lb |
Yes. The 1996-2009 4Runner with the factory rear E-Locker uses the 8-inch locker rear this kit is built for. If your truck has no locker switch, you need the open-carrier kit instead.
No. 2010 and newer 4Runners and later FJ Cruisers use the 8.2-inch rear. Use the 8.2 factory locker master kit for those trucks.
A crush sleeve is a one-time collapsible spacer that can relax under hard use, letting preload drop. The solid spacer is set with shims and does not move, so preload stays where you set it. It takes more time to set up but holds up better behind big tires and deep gears.
Not on its own. A locker that will not engage is usually the actuator, wiring, switch or vacuum and electrical side, not the bearings. This kit addresses bearing noise, pinion play and seal leaks. Diagnose the actuator separately.
Use an API GL-5 hypoid gear oil in the viscosity your owner manual lists for the rear differential. Break in new gears gently for the first few hundred miles and change the oil early if you also regeared.
