locker for snow?

Searched any threads, but my question never gets fully answered. What is the advantage of off road (stock) locker? Asking as I recently changed my order from sport to off road. I'm about to buy the first long box jbl 4x4 I can find.

I got over the black flares, and atrac, crawl control, and locker seem to keep whispering my name.

I still think the sport is much nicer looking. But I guess I'm a function vs fashion guy.

My biggest concern is these fender flares losing their black.......I hate that crap

 

I honestly only used it twice on my previous truck, both times being in deep snow on a Sunday Funday adventure where 4WD was no help.

It was a nice just in case peace of mind option for me.

 

You can always paint the flares. The new plastic they use gets better and better, but it will slowly fade, it's just a matter of time UV rays kill plastic. You can slow the process, park truck under a cover or tree, and don't put armor all on it.

 

Its a matter of knowing you need it on vs the system auto engaging (limited slip Sport version) locker is stronger but not geared to snow. If that is what you are looking for get a Subaru. They will rip through the snow while my Tacoma spins out behind you.

 

Lockers suck ass in snow. You are way better off with LSD 4x4 in the snow.

Edit: and snow chains and/or a good tyre

 

Most snow conditons, a locker in low range has way too much torque. It's the low range that is a killer too. I can see using it only of nothing else is working when stuck. The slipperier the surface , the less likely it is to help. On ice, be prepared for a wild ride.

 

From experience with the previous generation Tacoma I know the stock LSD can over heat while driving in heavy snow, 23" with much higher drifts in my case.

You will be left with two wheel drive, one in front and one in back.

If was mentioned in a previous post that good snow tires may reduce the likely hood of this but it still can happen and its not fun.

I would have been stuck if not for the locker on my truck.

Driving with the rear of our trucks locked and in low gear in snow is not a good choice but its much better than getting stuck.

 

I am completely new to 4x4 tacoma. What's best for slippery conditions? 4hi, atrac? This will be my first 4x4 also without a shifter (yeah its been that long). Can I start in 4hi and turn it off and on while driving? Or do I need to stop first?

 

Crack open your manual regarding how to properly engage/disengage 4wd. In general, the less torque the better in the snow. I go 4hi if needed and start in 2nd.

 

Snow tires, weight in the bed, and understanding the laws of physics.

As noted above, a real AWD system (like Subaru/Audi) is MILES better in snow than anything on a pickup (4HI, locker, LSD, whatever).

 

my first time 4wd. so in slippery situations such as snow. it would be best to leave it in 4 high or low without using the locker. i have a 2016 double cab off road.

 

The Detroit TruTrac is perfect in snow, but not available standard on the Tacoma. Any LSD is better than a locker on snow because snow can't handle much torque. You are better off with some slight spin with good power transfer over a locker IN MOST SITUATIONS when it comes to heavy snowfall. If you get lodged in the snow, however, the locker will get you out if either rear tire can find solid ground.

Overall, I've never had a situation where good tires, 4WD, and smart driving couldn't get me where I needed to go. If there was a serious chance of getting stuck, the snow is likely so deep a Subaru won't even move a foot due to the ground clearance. In those cases, your truck should really stay parked anyways.

 

any thoughts on multi terrain select in the snow

 

Does it have a snow mode? If it does, then what you are getting is an ATRAC system calibrated for snow. Which is good if you get stuck or need to crawl through some snow offroad, but not very good for anything at more than a few mph because ATRAC only works at low crawling speeds.

 

Got to be better than my current 2wd in the snow. I get where u need to, but it's a slow ride, even with weight in the back.

Not even getting out of my parking spot unless trucks good and warm. I'll spin right into the car beside me

 

Even with good tires, 4WD, and weight you might want to dig yourself out a bit before backing out of that much snow. Remember, the tires will follow the path of least resistance if you spin which could put you into the car beside you. I see this happen on AWD all the time. People decide "I'm just going to giv'r," the tires spin and next thing you know their front end has clipped the rear bumper of the car beside them. Then they instantly blame the vehicle for sliding lol.

 

The Toyota locker will see limited use in snow conditions unless you are offroad because you need to be in 4LO to use it .

 

I'm talking about packed snow. Nothing deep. When the truck is idling high, something happens with the limited slip and it spins to fast. I have to wait for idle to drop.

 

the multi terrain select has a dirt, sand, mogul rock setting so not sure if sand mode could be used in snow

 

On packed snow a good set of tires and weight in the bed are really going to be your best friends. A true locker isn't a good idea on ice or packed snow because if you spin you will spin both tires and potentially lose control of the back end.