Rear diff info needed

What are some scenarios that i would need to use the rear diff in my tacoma? would it be used for going uphill on gravel roads or rough terrain?

 

Essentially.....

You're using your rear diff every time you drive the truck.

Not exactly sure what you're asking....and I don't want to make any assumptions.

 

I am thinking he means his Diff lock. I know what ASSuming gets me though.

Any time you may lose traction you can use your Diff lock.

 

yea i meant the diff lock that comes with the trd off road package. so would going uphill on gravel result in loss of traction??

 

Sure. No harm there just try to stay off of the blacktop and high traction areas.

 

gotcha, i kinda had an idea of what it was used for but wanted to make sure

 

Maybe....

Try it in 4WD and see if you make it. The 4WD in these trucks are pretty damn capable without lockers.

Having the locker is nice for when you actually lose traction, you have that to help you get unstuck/gain traction.

 

Are our trucks the only ones that come w/ a factory locker?

 

Well I know Nissan offers locker options in their Nismo package. Any Nissan with a H190 rear end has one I think. They also have a Salisbury-type limited-slip unit on them. Basically the same/similar setup to Toyota, which you'd expect given that the Titan and Forrester compete directly with Toyota models. And Nismo is their answer to TRD.

 

kinda hard to use 4x in a prerunner... unless he uses the james3492 magic button.

OP- If you cant make it the first time try again with it locked...

 

Pretty much what he said, Don't use it in snow or Ice, If you happen to need it, use it in snow only and dont make turns in snow while its on.

 

The newest GMC sierra now come with a rear diff lock

 

OK, without doing any modification the TRD rear locker only engages if the drivetrain is in 4WD low and you are traveling under 5mph (I think). So it's really unusable for driving down a dirt road, going up a hill, etc. Really it's only use is to assist the 4WD low in getting you out of a sticky situation.. like the time I buried my taco to the frame in deep sand, oh and I was pulling a trailer.

The limited slip in the rear axle is far more useful and works in 2WD, 4WD, whatever. and it engages and disengages automatically. That is what helps you on dirt, gravel, snow, ice, and other loose roadways.

That is until you do the mod to free your locker from the above mentioned constraints and engage it whenever you like I have heard that Prerunners have this ability already?

 

I use my locker whenever i'm out in soft ddeep sand, thick mud and steep uphill stuff...gets me through 90% of the time...the other 10% is me being a dumb ass

 

??? why ??? Itll give you more traction, just dont stomp on the gas in snow. It will want to tend to fish tail but keep that in mind and youll be fine. If your in deep at a stop sign unlocked you wont move, lock it and youll get twice the traction.

 

The op has a 2wd Prerunner according to the info under his avatar.

 

I was told not to use it in snow and Ice, because as the inside tire spins it wants to break loose and will cause you to fish tail.

Edit, Well maybe snow is ok but definitely not ice

 

Thanks Yoytoda I missed that. So he can use that thing like it's supposed to be used.. whenever he wants

 

2 spinning wheels on ice = FAIL