Topic: About to order parts and need help!

[85 toyota]

i have a 1985 toyota pick up. I plan on doing a lot after i get back from afgan.. im about to order some parts and I dont want to order some crap. So far what i plan on getting is the marlin 79-85 4 in trail flex lift kit. its spost to have the high steer and springs and what not. Is that lift kit good? how is the ride if ur not off roading? this kit is $1899.00 and i dont mind spending that if the kit is worth it. Another thing im about to buy is lockers for front and rear. I want a selectable, so either electron or air. I prefer electronic but i hear there slow.. but how slow are they like a few seconds to enguage or a few mins? and are there any other elockers for toyota like the eaton elocker (which i cant find).. i looked it up and people say that the toyota elocker is the only one that is available. I know that u got to do some modifications to the housing on my axle to fit that toyota elocker and some one gave me the web page that shows u how to do it but i lost it and ive been looking on this form to find it and i cant do it so if any one knows it could u PLEASE give it to me lol. and if i get the tcase low gear kit 4:70.1 what gears should i run in the diffs? just stock gears which is 4.11 i belive. so thats pretty much all the questions i have i really am stuck on the elockers most of all. bc that is what i belive im gonna go with is the toyota elocker unless there is another option that i dont know about.

thanks

rob

[ninja turtle]

heres a couple http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/electric_locker/
http://67.122.16.97/carterman/4runner/mods/locker/
http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Ravine/4494/diffinstall.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20050207064131/http://molmed.umassmed.edu/~kdb/locker/locker.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20070321235003/http://home.off-road.com/~kemanuel/elocker/elo

[Toymin8r]

The springs should be fine.  The elockers only takes a few seconds to engage and that's usually only if your not moving.  You have to run all the wiring to make them work.  Some people using the E-locker ditch the electric solenoids and wiring and make them cable actuated for better reliability.   The air locker (ARB) engages quicker but it too sometimes makes you have to roll a few feet to engage it.  But you have to worry about air leaks, air compressor wiring and air lines.   From a reliability standpoint they are about even.  I have an E-locker in one of my trucks and and ARB in the other and neither one has ever failed to work.

As far as gear ratios it really depends on the size tires you pland to run.   With the lift you want you can fit 33's, 35's and even 37's with some fender trimming.     As a general rule of thumb 33's work best with 4.88's and 35-37 work good with 5.29's.  If your gonna use this as a daily driver just remember that even though you change gears to work with the tire size difference there is still a big weight difference when you increase tire size.  Unsprung weight makes the already power lacking 22r/22re even weaker.

[OOPS]

Here is a write up on installing the e-locker. I know there are others.

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

At the bottom of this page there is some more info.

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

[Stocker]

I plan on doing a lot after i get back from afgan..

Can't help any with your questions, sorry....  I just wanted to say Thank You for your service!   

[Slolyfe]

I did marlins 5 inch lift and loved it! easy(time consuming) to install runs great on road considering its a 26 year old truck with 37 inch tires. Id run 5.29s and really consider the 4.7 case it was one of the best improvements ive done.

One thing to think about is dual cases. I know its a pricey mod but chances are you with have to do driveshafts with this build so might as well only do them once. I spent alot of extra money trying to slowly build my truck instead of just biting the bullet and doing it all at once. hope that helps! if you have questions or want picts of anything let me know!

[85 toyota [OP]]

ok so here is what im planning on ordering.. 2 complete 3rd members with the toyota electronic lockers in them. 1 is going to be high pinion for the front and the rear is gonna be the regular 3rd member with a elocker. than im ordering the 4 inch marlin trail flex lift kit. i hear alot about the cable accuated lockers any one here got those? are those pretty good or are they pretty gay?

[ninja turtle]

i got the one from downey, i dont recommend it.

[85 toyota [OP]]

slolyfe when u used ur kit did u have to cut and reweld the mounts for the springs? bc online it sounds like you have to do that but im not sure.

[79coyotefrg]

slolyfe when u used ur kit did u have to cut and reweld the mounts for the springs? bc online it sounds like you have to do that but im not sure.

yes you have to move the spring hanger forward on the rear, and  i suggest the front hanger on the front axle as well


I have the downey cable as well and it really looks simple, i dont see having a problem with it,

what size tires are you going to run

btw    THANK YOU

[ninja turtle]

I have the downey cable as well and it really looks simple, i dont see having a problem with it,

so you havnt used it yet glen? mines a p.i.t.a.   it binds if the cable is moved the tinyest bit.

[Slolyfe]

We cut off the front hangers to beef it up but didnt have to. You do have to relocate the rear hangers. Let me try to figure out how to post photos

[blackdiamond]

If money isn't an issue, I always recommend Alcan springs above all else.  Get the rest of the kit from Marlin and enjoy your custom springs.

[Slolyfe]

Here they are
http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/slolyfe/new352.jpg

[Slolyfe]

http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/slolyfe/new319.jpg
http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/slolyfe/new323.jpg
http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/slolyfe/new330.jpg

[85 toyota [OP]]

thanks for the pictures.. that helped out so u dont have to do the front but its sugested.. the rear u have to do. does the kit have instructions so you know the mesurements on how far to mount them. and for all who have the marlin kit do you like it? how is the ride on the regular road? I plan on running 33's 12.5 for tires and there gonna be toyo open country m/t. what is this downey cable yall be talkin about what is that for and what does it do? man i appreciate the help thanks yall its hard to get information out here bc the internet is so slow.. i can barley get on this web page to look at what other people posted. so thanks i appreciate it