Tacoma Rear Differential, TRD Sport/TRD OR/SR5 Base

Hey guys, so here is my dilemma. I bought a 2015 Tacoma and every time I look up the vin it states that it should be a TRD Pro. I remember when I bought the truck the sales guy told me they snagged a TRD before all the options were put on, thus it would be a SR5. I guess my question is, I know what my differential looks like, and by the looks of it, it seems like it should have some things attached to it, but there are "plugs" in them. SO if someone could post up pics of their differential, preferably someone with a TRD OR and TRD Sport and SR5 Base, I can determine if in fact my rear differential has some potential to become OEM A-trac or Rear Locked. Much appreciated, and hopefully if I find something out, maybe there are people on this form that have the same possibilities.

 

Where are you looking up the Vin at?

Mfgs don't just snag a vehicle before options are installed.

 

do you live near a Toyota dealership? You could just head over and look under all the trucks and compare.

 

Simpler is for you to post Diff pics and we will be probably be able to tell you what it is.

 

ok will do that when I get home tonight. Thanks guys.

 

sr5 and sports have 8.4 rear which can be locked with either arb or Detroit locker.


Off road comes with a 8 inch rear that has e locker.


The sr5/ sports have stronger rear.



I have the the TRD sport with 8.4 and locked ARB.

 

See that is what I was trying to figure out, if they had the same rear or not, so that would mean the manufacture could put the same drive train on the TRD Sport and The SR5 and then change out parts as they need to thus why you could get a truck that was being shipped from texas to the southeast Toyota distribution plant could be changed from a TRD Sport to a SR5 package. Thank you, I think that answered my question on how this works. Thanks!!

 

TRD Sport and SR5 have exact same Differential since 2009. Before that TRD sport came with Mechanical LSD.

TRD off road has completely different differential.

 

Thanks Rock Lobster, that confirms what i was looking for.

 

Looks from the pictures like it would simply be a matter of looking at the drain plug...if it's on the passengers side it is an 8.4, drivers side it is an 8.0?

 

I have a TRD Sport also, your ARB, is it air locked. And is it a fairly simple mod. Is it costly ?

 

It also appears the 8.4 has more stiffening ribs and 8.0 has a solenoid on the drivers side for the elocker.

 

ARB air locked: yes
Simple: no
Costly: yes

But they are the best you can buy.

 

Thanks
I'm guessing it's a little better then the e-locker

 

Or just different ?

 

In most cases, one selectable locker is as good as the next. It is all about how you get the locker to engage. Supposedly the new style arb's are a big improvement over the old style arb's. I've been running the old style in my FJ40 for about 15 years and never had an issue with them. Spend a lot of time driving an FJ 80 that has the electric lockers like in the Taco's...no issues there either as long as you cycle them once in a while to keep things working right. Love my ARB's as they are much quicker to go on and off than the electric ones are and I tend to switch the front on and off quite a bit as I only use it when it is really needed and then turn it back off. Don't think you could go wrong with either type locker.

 

Thanks, much appreciated !