WTF, my 4WD is really a 2WD?

I got stuck yesterday in the mud, and I notice the wheels with the least traction were spinning. One wheel on front and one wheel in the rear…so I really have a 2 wheel drive truck.

I want to modify the front a rear axles for lock out traction, I figured maybe the best thing is to change the rear end to a TRD lockout\if so what years would fit my 97 extracab? Still am not to sure what is the best way for the front end.. any help on what path to take would be greatly appreciated.

My truck a 97 extracab v6, with chrome mirrors

 

thats what open diff's do for you. any 2004 and older E-locker rear will fit your truck I believe.

Do you have manual hubs in the front? if so you can get away with an Aussie locker. if auto hubs go with ARB.

 

Yep, look for a E-locker or air locker, etc.

 

Welcome to the truth of 4wd. Luckily, this can be remedied.

Personally, I would look at a limited slip (LSD) for the rear end first. Then consider a rear locker next. There are plenty of aftermarket LSD out there. And ARB makes a rear locker too.

If you need more after that. Then look at an LSD up front, just set it a bit looser than the rear.

If you get totally serious go locker front and rear. But I would wait for that.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Unless there's wheel slippage, power is given to the differentials which usually powers both wheels on each axle.

 

if on solid ground, yes, but OP was stuck in mud

 

click - BBBBbbbbbrrrrrrrr - click - vvvrrrooommm - ARB

 

Rather than putting so much into that truck, clean it up and get an '09 or new 2010 Off Road 4WD... with TRACTION CONTROL (TRAC) in H4 and ACTIVE TRACTION CONTROL (A-TRAC) in L4.

It will knock your socks off!

Better than lockers front and rear because it permits normal steering control. Power is diverted away from any tire that looses traction and goes to any tire with traction... no more useless spinning tires while you sit there!

You will also have a rear locker, if you find anyplace that A-TRAC can't pull you through... I am still trying to find that place!

A-TRAC, to infinity and beyond!

 

I read that and got excited - it that normal?

 

Nothing unusual about this OP...open differentials.

Locking/LS diffs FTW...09s and newer have fancy schmancy traction control goodies operated by the computer which make the Tacos monstrously good at putting the torque down to friction...

Only if both wheels have equivalent traction, which almost never occurs.

With open differentials, the power is going to flow to the wheel with the least resistance (traction)....thus one wheel completely without traction is going to sap all the juice. Hence lockers - force both wheels to spin at same RPM, regardless of traction...gets the wheel that's biting to turn, popping you out of whatever you're in.

Can't knock those open diffs though...they keep your driveline from twisting itself apart during on-road driving.

Yes. It really is that good. I used A-TRAC + locked ass to park my truck on the ceiling of a friend's garage the other day

Kidding of course, but it's pretty fucking beastly...not much out there to match it...

 

I guess Toyota keeps this fantastic system secret so we New Tacoma drivers can get worked up over the new gizmos!?

I came here to TW to find out what I had... because the dealer or the owner's manuel were almost zero help! Thanks TW!

Now, I am a really hyper A-TRAC fan after four wheeling in the desert, Baja and at the 'Drug Airport' off Twin Oaks Valley (San Marcos, CA).

I have been four wheeling and off roading my entire life (Jeeps, Chevy 4WD, Subaru 4WDs, and three Tacoma 4WDs) and this new traction system (limited slip front and rear and enhanced limited slip) makes a world of difference! If I wasn't so cash poor at the moment (rain prevents my work)... I would be out four wheeling every weekend!

 

common misconception...

Torque is split through an open differential exactly 50/50.

The tire with the least traction that's spinning still only receives 50 percent of the torque, it spins because it has less traction not more torque.

Both tires still have exactly the same amount of torque going to them.


technically, you still have power to both wheels. ...practically, you only have 1 wheel drive.



these links should be required reading for anyone who owns a 4x4.. ...well, the parts about the drive wheel test anyway.

http://www.eco4wd.com/newsletters/N0209Web.pdf

http://www.eco4wd.com/newsletters/Bonus2003Web.pdf

 

Thanks for all the great responses...am not good on rebuilding or modding a rear end, I am good at remove and replace..


If i can find a TRD rear end with e-locker, it would simply be... a simple rear end swap?

Install rear end, and run wires to my dash to a power the switch...am hoping it will be this easy...

If not what mods do I need to make for a TRD rear-end to mount my truck?


And where is a good place to find one..local salvaged yard?

 

How do I find the gear ratio on a rear end?

 

understood but my comment is in response to 98 tacoma's comment

 

http://www.alltoyotatrucksuvparts.com/

toyota junk yard