LSD/Locker for the Sport discussion

So I have a 2012 TRD Sport. Im kind of new to this world, so take it easy on me. I have had zero guidance with this sort of thing, so Im learning some things the hard way without realizing that Im about to make a mistake. I always try to do as much research as I can, but this went over my head a little.
Before I purchased my truck, I had no idea that there was a major difference between the Sport package and the off road. Obviously, I have now learned.
SO... Can someone enlighten me. I don't do a LOT of off roading, but in the winter my roads can have several feet of snow and ice, not to mention I duck hunt a lot, so I do occasionally travel through some wetlands (in my buddies truck until now) and I have a flooding issue as well.

Is the locker something I can live without?
Is my LSD and/or 4X4 good enough?
Is there anything I can get that is affordable (not several thousand dollars) that will lock that axel up when Im in a pinch??

I will say, I do not regret my purchase, and I still may not have changed my mind even after knowing what I know now. I freaking love my Taco.
Thanks guys!

 

Keep a halfway decent 12v air compressor and air an gauge in the truck for airing tires up and down. In the conditions you described, airing tires down to around 15 - 20 psi will help immensely. 10 minutes of tire inflation is far less annoying than an hour or two of trudging through mud or snow with a shovel. Your truck will be fine as is - well, do the yellow wire mod, then it will be fine. Also learn all of the traction modes and what they really do. You might be really surprised what my base model is capable of, as is your sport.

Oh, and tires, tires, tires.

 

This.
http://www.yotatech.com/f166/trac-4lo-yellow-wire-mod-2nd-gen-tacoma-264329/

 

I'm not sure if the "yellow wire mod" will give you AUTO-LSD in low range. Which is the only trac option in a Sport

But I am sure that the TRD Sport model does not have ATRAC

 

You can read through the 34 pages and decide for yourself.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4low-trac.51946/

 

Really, you're the only one who can decide if you need more than what the truck already has. Most people don't. Some do. Is it limiting what you can do now?

I find Toyotas traction control devices to be better than nothing, but then again, so is a bag of kitty liter. I want and need a LSD or locker on a truck. My truck is off road weekly. I find many times I'm having to put it in 4WD when 2WD should have been adequate. Sometimes applying brakes when power to both wheels is needed is not the way to do it. I also find spinning a tire at a stop light when it's raining annoying. I'm putting in a Detroit truetrac next month. I think I'll like my truck a lot more after the install.

 

Wet grass, low speed, and inclines plus a light rearend is more the issue. Two tires are better than one. And having used 3 different sets of tires, the issue has been the same. I'm confident the truetrac will do what I want it to. We all use our trucks in different ways and not everything that works for one will work for the other. Most of my offroad is no road at low speed and soil erosion is an issue.

 

It does

 

No doubt part of my spinning on road is a heavy foot. I have a stop sign on my way to work that requires a left hand turn, up hill on a blind curve, so you have to pull out pretty quick. Dry it's no problem, wet is another issue.

 

I put a tru trac in the 04 hemi qc ram I sold to get the down payment for my new taco , BE CAREFUL that thing was scary responsive , and totally undetectable . I loved it EXCEPT when there was ice on roads that thing worked so fast if you hit ice at lets say 60 mph on a flat straight road it would break both rear tires loose and just about throw truck side ways! But for having it in a fairly heavy truck I was blown away , you could lite both tires up every time , even on dry concrete , it was almost like a spool.

 

I have found that the AUTO-LSD in the TRD Sport works superbly for those conditions. Just hit the TC button once and it displays "AUTO-LSD" on the dash... Then again 4Hi is almost easier to switch to.

 

In my truck, I've found it to be not much different. I've done the same approaches many times in all modes and found them lacking. Yes, 4hi is easy to go to but every other truck I've driven in the same areas did it just fine in 2wd. I shouldn't expect less from my Tacoma. Anyway, back to the OP, a true LSD or locker is a benefit to me. Most don't need them or just don't want them due to the expense. I'll gladly pay for the increase in performance where I need it.

 

OP:

Spend money on tires. They are your link to the ground. If you are having traction problems on uneven and steep terrain in 4wd, or 4Lo (with the yellow wire mod, and yes it's worth it) then lock it up. Don't do a detroit or Lokka.... just spend the money on an electric actuated locker.

IF someone else drives your truck in the rain or snow, and doesn't know that the truck has a detroit in it, (aka your wife), it'll be spun around and in a ditch the first time they drive it. SPEND THE MONEY on a selectable locker!

GL