Car and Driver Comparison: 2016 Tacoma v. 2016 Colorado

The electronic traction control works almost just as well for those situations and allows you to still have a selectable locker. For snow an LSD would be even better than the G80. You don't want you tires to fully lock up on ice. Trust me. That will break the static friction of the tires and leave you with less ability to move rather than more.

The G80 is just another compromise. Maybe one better suited to boat ramps, but not to offroading or ice.

 

The video shows what happens with limited slip. The same videos can be made and HAVE been made for snow, ice, sand, mud, etc. I am not going to hand feed every video/article to you in this debate.

 

Sigh.

You can still use the locker anytime if you do the proper locker anytime mod. When in 2WD the electronic LSD kicks in and gives you the same functionality to drive up the hill in the video.

 

You have to MOD the Tacoma to make it do that. If we are talking MODS, we can start adding mods all day to either one to improve off-road use. The average buyer isn't going to mod their lockers. This is a discussion for how the vehicles come from the factory.

 

So your point is that the Eaton Locker is better than an e-locker because of its performance in an Eaton commercial?

 

This commercial is a demonstration of the product's superiority. Just because it is a commercial doesn't make the video fake lol. It isn't CGI you are watching or some magic trick.

 

I will tell you this. I situations where trucks get commercial use, if you aren't careful, you can break these auto lockers and strand yourself. One contractor stopped ordering the trucks with them. He said it was cheaper to call a tow truck if they got stuck then replace the differentials because the abuse they took at the hands of the drivers.

 

Okay, I give up. You win. I know you want to hear it. Go wave your flag from the battlements and collect the princess.

Go have fun with the G80. It is not nearly as amazing as you think it is. I doesn't work well in mud or snow and will bury you before you get out. It locks up slow which is nice on ice but with any slope it can cause a break in traction when it locks up. The G80, and it's family, has disappointed GM owners offroad for years.

 

So because someone in a commercial application abused the trucks and one broke, that must mean they all suck and break right? I have had 2 trucks with these and never had a problem. Never heard of anyone else having a problem either.

 

Grasping at straws making stuff up to discount a superior product. Instead you should be yelling at Toyota to fix their shortcomings.

 

The G80 engages so weakly it would be hard to break. Usually when they go out it's because the clutch pack is worn. They are very sensitive to what fluid is used though which can cause a grenade effect.

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/general-discussion/technical-maintenance/449648-g80-problems.html

Yup. Once the clutch is worn it's as useless as an open differential until you have it rebuilt.

 

It's not a superior product. It's an inferior one. Enjoy finding that out for yourself.

 

You guys are debating about two different approaches to traction. One has an auto locker, while the other depends upon electronic traction aids for maitenace and reliability purposes. Auto locks are great.....but they need maintenance and they don"t take a lot of abuse. You cannot be over revving or spinning your tires all the time and have them slam in and out. That's why T uses a manual one in special products and relies more on the abs other wise. If you are in 4 hi, the auto locker is superior. If you are in 4 low and have ATrac....there really isn't the difference pro ported by the commercial. When ever GM demos, realize, it is in 4 hi for the other trucks.

 

I'm not saying it's fake. The point I'm making is that it's demonstrating a cherry-picked scenario meant to make the Eaton the winner. It's not an objective comparison of the strengths and weakness of the different systems out there.

 

Never been stuck with one. Been stuck multiple times in the Tacoma I had. Works for me. Works for millions of others.

 

I agree with most of this. I'm not trying to say there is no point the the Eaton G80 design, but it is not the end all be all design for everyday tasks. I, and most others, prefer the electronics with a selectable locker when we really need it.

In 4HI I would honestly run the TruTrac over the G80. It has no wearable components.

 

Like I said, I can find other demonstrations in other situations. Just not feeling like putting in the effort when you can easily do your own hw.

 

Oh, now I get it. Cheby fanboy. Okay, go on, keep telling us about how well your GM works over anything Toyota. Everyone here would love to hear about how awesome your G80 worked to get your Silverado or S10 out of every hole a Tacoma got stuck in

 

I think you didn't do enough hw in school. Actually, I'm pretty sure about that now.

 

I'm not sure to be honest. I just wish Chevrolet had of went full on and brought the ZR2 out. The Trail Boss is a bit too dolled up for my tastes.