09 Rear Lockers-Necessary?

I had the dealer give me the sport hood as part of the deal when I bought my TRD offroad.

 

Unless you wheel the sh*t out of the truck, the locker is not really useful.

and even then, if you wheel the shit out of the truck, you can just add a locker.

I wheel mine more than many and I plan on installing a locker, although I haven't really needed one yet...

 

and anyway if you wheel you will install on board air for your tires, adding the locker won't bee too much more.. and it will allow you to have the VSC on road.

 

Absolutely

 

My truck has never taken a shit... okay maybe once.

 

Beach Boy... You need to go to Baja! At least to the other BC and climb some mountains... You will want the locker... or A-TRAC then!

Another way to word the drive mode selections:
Normal Mode (no pressing of switches):

2WD (H2): TRAC & VSC on. TRAC (Traction Control) uses brakes and regulates engine output to achieve LSD (Limited Slip Differential action). VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) keeps truck moving where desired, on slippery roads

4WD (H4): TRAC* & VSC on (*engine output not regulated)

4WD (L4): (no trac, no vsc)

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Short press of VSC OFF switch:

2WD (H2): AUTO LSD on (no trac, no vsc)

4WD: no change, from above

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Long press (hold 3 seconds) of VSC OFF switch (when stopped) for OPEN Differential(s):

2WD (H2): All off (no trac, no vsc, no auto lsd)

4WD (H4): All off (no trac, no vsc)

4WD (L4): no change (no trac, no vsc)

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Press A-TRAC (Active Traction Control) switch:

4WD (L4): A-TRAC on (provides the advantages of TRAC or LSD while in Low Range 4WD). Unless pressed again, A-TRAC will always come on when shifted into L4, from now on.

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Press RR DIFF LOCK switch:

4WD (L4): Locks the rear differential. Can be used with or without A-TRAC activated. A-TRAC only active to 5 mph with the rear differential locked.

 

If you go the ARB route (I'm not sure what other brands make them for Toyotas), you're looking at about $1000 per axle by the time you've bought parts, labor, and a compressor. The locker is not something you can install yourself unless you are a seriously skilled shade tree mechanic.

You do not have to do both axles. Unless, of course you change your gear ratio.

 

i wouldnt worry about the locker. I think its over rated myself IMO