Toyota Limited Slip Differential

I have been looking at ARB lockers, and Lunch Boxes( Power Trax) TRD electric locker and they all have disadvantages. ARB lockers are excellent except for the amount of money they cost and installation, Lunch Boxes are not as good in snow or ice. TRD rear is a full rear assembly replacement $$$ and I have not seen a write up on a sucessful TRD rear end replacement wiring it up success... ect

I ran across this Limited Slip made for toyota tacomas and it looks like a alternative I had not seen discussed on this site. I know limited slips are not great for off road, but it would be better than an OD. The intallation looks like it will be almost as involved as a ARB ( rear has to be set up by a person who knows rear ends setup) and a Limited Slip is not as good as a manual locker.

My truck is a 04 Tacoma SR5 4 X 4 with open differentials. I am leaning towards an ARB but before I lay out a couple of grand for parts and labor I want to look at all options.

Here is the link to the site that sells the TRD Limited Slip "drivetrain.com"
http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_catalog/positraction/toyota_trd_limited_slip.html

 

What are you trying to accomplish by swapping out rear ends?? A trail capable daily driver or a hardcore off road rig??

I would vote for a ARB...If you are going to have the work done back there....IT's worth it.

 

I found this...I'm sure you've probably seen it but this isn't a bad deal...I'd get a full locker...don't spend money on something and not be 100% happy with it...I've done this in the past and I hate regrets!
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/ARB-Air-Locker-Toyota-Lexus-p-17181.html

 

In terms of cost & installation.....and ARB & Limited Slip are virtually the same (major install).

So....you need to decide - do you need offroad capability or onroad traction assistance?

#1 The ARB is FULL LOCKER. It should primarily be used Offroad and more serious offroad situations (or you get stuck, or predict you will get stuck). The ARB is not intended to use on the roadways.

#2 The Limited slip is a traction aide and can be used everyday on the roadways and is virtually 'invisible' because you don't engage or disengage it. It's working all the time.

What's your flavor?
Are you doing this primarily for offroad usage? Then get the ARB.

 

trail capable daily driver, and I am leaning to ARB

 

Why do you care about snow/ice capability if you live in south Texas?

I knew a few guys who had lunchbox lockers in their Broncos. They liked them but they do make noise on the road. ARB is easily the best because it's selectable. It's also easily the most expensive. Most people that cough up a bunch of money for LSD usually regret it later down the road and wish they had just gotten a locker.

 

I like to play in the snow in Colo/New Mexico on ski trips.

 

hey guys i am in the same boat. This summer i want to re gear when i put on some 295/70/17s. I figured while my diff's are open i mine as well throw a locker in it. For the rear i know i want a arb locker. But for the front is a locker safe with ifs. Will i end up tearing my cv's or breaking an axel?

 

EXACTLY!!!

ARB's are fine in the front diff - IF you know how to use it properly, gently, and responsibly.

You gotta learn what NOT to do while the ARB is engaged in the front - like, you can't make tight turns. Don't force it to turn when you feel resistance - and many other things I'm probably not mentioning. Those are the biggest issue with lockers/CV joints.

 

Thanks for the info. Also since i have a 4cyl since i dont have as much power would that make it less likely that something would break or tear.

 

I live right in the middle of it! he he he

Sound advice to anyone running a locker on any type of axle. Especially front axles. Especially, especially on IFS.

 

Yes, all else equal, the engine providing less torque will decrease the risk of breakage.

Buuutttt, smaller engines usually come with smaller (weaker) drivetrains. Essentially balancing out the risk of axle breakage caused by torque. Smaller axles increase the risk of trail caused breakage.

I don't know if yours has weaker axles or not.

 

yeah i always wondered if the 4cyl have smaller axels then the 6cyl. Does any one know?

 

I'm gonna say No.

For one thing - you're gonna regear, and that changes things. For another thing - you can't go around assuming just because you have a 4cylinder, that you're gonna be able to use it harder. Engine size doesn't matter when it comes to how the drivetrain acts. You can put yourself in a situation where you can sneeze on the gas pedal and break something regardless if its a 4cylinder or a 6cylinder.

You have to learn how to use it and to start off with...BABY IT.

As for drivetrain components being weaker.....that's irrelevant. Again - depending on the situation, you can snap things really easy regardless.

 

If you have 5-lug wheels it is most definitely not the same drivetrain.

I'm not certain, but outside of the obvious locked/unlocked/lsd/open, I think there may even be variation within the 6-lugs.

 

Buy a TRD off road and be done with it.

 

You can't install an ARB in a 5 lug tacoma because it doesn't have a front diff.

5 Lug tacomas are only 2WD trucks.

 

I just got off the phone with the guys at Drivetrain.com and they said the TRD LSD has been discontinued, that the eaton true-trac is a stronger unit, and that if you bought the TRD LSD, you may not be able to find parts for it in coming years (when clutch plates start wearing, etc...