Purchase a 2wd TRD Off-Road truck and add rear locking differential?

Hi. I have a dramatic and sad story to tell you.

I was the previous owner of a 1998 Taco. 4x4, SR-5, 4 Cyl. I sold the truck to purchase a 2006 F-150 2wd Lariat. After driving 5,000 mi., I needed to rebuild the top-end of the 5.4l Triton. Ouch. Since then, the truck has been swell. Ride = Excellent, MPG = Bleh, Features = Excellent. She's a good truck, but cost me a pile to fix.

Fast forward 40k miles, and I'm ready to sell the F-150 & go back to a Taco. Here's my problemo.

I can't find a prerunner trd off-road taco with rear locking diff!!!

Question: Should I find a nice low-use 2wd truck, and swap out the rear end + add a locking diff from someone like ARB? Orrr, should I wait to find the right truck & buy complete. My reasons for going 2wd are MPG & the fact that I drive 95% on-road & maybe 5% fire roads to get to mountain biking trails.

Thank!

Here's a picture of my old truck

 

the TRD offroad comes with the locker. you dont need to search "rear locker". if its an offroad it will automaticaly have it. most dealers dont know the difference.

 

Shoot, you serious? That's sad that they don't this! Almost all of the advertisements for these trucks don't list "rear locking differential." Wow.

Thank you good sir for the heads-up.

 

What year are you looking for?

EDIT: Oops, 2nd Gen forum.

Like Zombie said, all Off Roads have a rear diff lock.

 

this is for the 2nd gens. Im not sure on the 1st gens though. You didnt mention in the OP so I assumed it was a 2nd gen you were looking for.

also you can always try and look for the locker button on the dash in pictures.

 

Good call. I didn't think about looking for the locker button in pictures.

I'm looking for a 2005 to 2008.

 

For reference, an ARB locker will cost you ~$1500 (front diff) installed by a shop. A compressor will be ~$100-$300.

Rear is probably a bit cheaper.

 

Thanks. I didn't know what a locker would run installed. In order to install an ARB locker, doesn't the rear-end need to be "lockable?" I'm learning =). I would install it, myself, at our family business shop. We sell/service/support farm equipment.

Thanks!

 

ok. so any trd offroad will have the rear locker.One thing to look out for is when dealers put on the TRD decals on the bed and it actualy isnt a TRD.

things to look for to make sure.
Offroad wheels


Overhead compass and temp gauge
110v outlet in the bed

 

Good to know. I'm waiting to see what my credit union can offer me for financing, then I'm going to be visiting local dealers & private party sellers. We'll see what I can find.

I'm partially leaning towards 4wd at this point as well. Hmm.

 

Can you get a TRD Off Road Prerunner? I thought TRD OR was 4x4 and TRD Sport came as Prerunner and/or 4x4, course with TRD Sport there is no rear locker

 

yes you can get a prerunner TRD OR package

 

Hmmmm interesting........glad I've got 4x4 though

 

I have the prerunner. I have no need for 4wd.

 

Very true, all depends on where you live

 

Sticking with the intent of this thread, but doing some slight threadjacking:

Possible/feasible to put a factory locker system into a non-locker TRD Sport 4wd? I'm not scared of the work, just parts cost.
Will be adding OBA when I get around to it (have all the important/pricey parts, just not the time)......

 

Short answer is yes - but complete rear axle swap is required, not just the 3rd member.

Alternatively, just install an ARB locker. Best, strongest, most expensive option.

On the third hand, install a "lunchbox" locker.

 

i would only go with the ARB, the air compressor required for it can be used to fill up your tires as well, also they have the highest reliability rate of a selectable locker

 

This is what I figured. I knew that a complete axle swap had to be done before adding the locker.

I found a 2004 prerunner sr5 double cab with V6. 76,000 miles, WITH rear locker for $17,888 advertised price.

My only problem is that the slightly older body style feels smaller than the 2005+ models. Has anyone else noticed this? Newest body style feels roomier.

I had a good time looking at 5 or 6 Tacos today...tasty.

 

2nd gens are definitely bigger and "roomier". I had a 2001, and even tho i loved that truck, i like the room of the double cab 2nd gen more