how to confirm 4 cyl trd?

I'm bumping this old thread because I just bought a 2001 4cyl automatic PreRunner with the TRD package. The guy I got it from is a mechanic and he said for sure it has the locker.

However there is no button, no sticker on the door jam etc. How can I tell for sure if I have it? (Without checking the capacity of the rear end fluid?)

 

Crawl under the rearend and look at the diff. If it has a factory e-locker, you'll see the motor attached to the side of it, with wires going to it.

According to the factory brochure (for 1998) that I happen to have, the TRD package on 4-CYL AT models did not come with the e-locker. It implies that it did come on all other TRD models.

 

If you are positive there is not a button for the locker, the only other thing it could be is an auto locker, which is after market and not from Toyota. If you have an auto 4cyl then your diff gear is 4.56, which does not come in the e locker rear axle, as I have heard because it is too big. So I believe you got le screwed on that one, because I can almost guarantee you have no factory locker.

 

Where is the factory button located (if there was one)?

I don't feel screwed at all. In fact I asked about the rearend as an afterthought when I picked up the truck. The seller said "Oh yeah I forgot to tell you. Yes it has a posi-rearend."

Yesterday I went to a snow-covered lot and tried to figure out by feel if this was the case. Unfortunately I couldn't tell for sure.

 

Thanks. I'll take a look today. But yeah it sounds like there is no factory e-locker for sure.

 

There are 2 types of posi rearends, clutch and gear.

If the clutches wear out completely, then, on the road, the rear end will act just like a stock, open rear end. The gear-type (Detroit Trutrac) don't wear out.

Try jacking up the rear (both sides, parking brake off - be sure to block both front tires, front and back, for safety). Hand rotate one wheel and see which way the other side rotates. If you have a stock open rear, the opposite side will rotate in the other direction. With a locker (and working POSI ?) it will rotate in the same direction.

 

There are two basic types of "lockers", auto locking diffs and push button (electronicly actuated) locking diffs. The one from Toyota that is included in some TRD packages is the electronic type.

There are two basic type of automatic lockers. There are the limited slip types and there a full locking types. Auto lockers do not have a button to engage them.

The term "posi" is another way of describing a limited slip differential. More info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited-slip_differential

 

Definitely no factory e-locker on this truck as you said. I may jack it up to see, but I am also realizing how much I had grown accustomed to 4WD. So who knows - I may move on anyway and get another 4x4.. This is a nice truck tho - runs great.

 

I know this thread is half a decade old, but I've been looking for info on this recently. However, I can confirm that atleast ONE four-banger left the factory with an e-locker. One of my best friends in highschool had a '98 4cyl, 5spd, TRD with a locking rear differential. We thought the e-locker and manual hubs (when those types of "utilitarian" aspects in U.S. trucks were near extinction) were just cool as shit at the time. If Id known it was that rare... man.

I don't have any direct online sources for this, but the "Buyer's Guide" and/or wikipedia article might need updating.

ANyway, cheers!

 

I just bought a 2002 extended cab Tacoma, 4 cylinder, TRD, 5 speed, with the rear Diff lock. And it came standard with 4.30 gears according to the gear code in door jam. I never new this configuration existed, but I am glad they do, and I happen to find one.

 

Me too. I was pretty excited to find one.