Mechanical LSD vs Auto LSD

Interested in hearing opinions from those who have had both.

I have an '07 with a mechanical LSD. I think it works great. I have a friend who has an LSD in his Ford F250 and he's always very impressed, sometimes shocked, at the places I'm able to drive in 2WD, particularly in the snow. His LSD in the Ford sucks.

I've pretty much always driven trucks prior with an open rear differential, and the difference is huge.

That said, when the day comes that I move on to a new Tacoma (very long time off I hope), am I going to miss the old mechanical LSD? I know I've seen people say they really like all these computer driven traction controls in the new Tacomas, but I really just don't like the sound of it.

 

i like mine

 

My 05 has the Mech LSD like you, my buddy's 09 has the auto LSD.

2wd, hitting my uphill snowy driveway all winter, or turning off plowed road onto unmaintained road, I just go. He has to stop, push the button, or hold it down for 5 sec if he wants VSC off.

While the Mech LSD makes good traction, and rocks in snow and dirt, it can fishtail easier, like a locker. The 09 has VSC and TRAC, makes the truck safer for majority of drivers, esp in snow on stock tires.

The Mech LSD clutches will eventually wear out, but at 50K and lots of use, no probs. The electronics controlling the auto-LSD, who knows. No matter, all vehicles are going the way of electronics so if you like it old school, gonna have to keep your current truck.

 

I have mixed feelings on the new '10 Tacoma I upgraded too.

My last tacoma was a '02 and all mechanical. Maybe it's just getting used to all the electronics?

However during all the blizzards this year I did think the TRAC worked very very well even enabling me to stay in 2WD places I'd never do so in the '02 -- on road...

I however found that in MUD my '02 was way better in not getting stuck. Now to be fair it might be the crappy tires that are on the '10 but still it seemed like I could chug through anything in the '02 in 4Lo. In fact I only used the locker twice ever on my '02. That's why I went with the sport I didn't think I'd need the locker...anyway...a few times I was just spinning wheels in the new electronic system because in 4lo it doesn't do TRAC or have LSD. I did eventually get out of the mud I was in but way more work and lots of changes of TRAC, No TRAC, 4Hi/4Lo...until I figured out the whole new "Fangled" electronics... My conclusion is it might take some getting used to or maybe the locker is more necessary in the electronic versions of this truck??? To late for me, I'd need an ABR or something to get a locker now and that's too much $$$ right now.

Just my 2C.

 

The 09+ Tacoma 4wd system is very competent and a step up from the 05-08 in most conditions.

In 2wd, it will fishtail much less as the vsc and trac will intervene. When pushing the autolsd button it works well, but honestly I use 4wd when i need more traction...

And once in 4wd, the auto lsd will function for both the front and rear (traction control is disabled although the braking feature and vsc is still operative). this is advantageous over the only rear mech rear lsd in the 05-08.

the only problem with the non a-trac (non TRD OR) 09+ is that in 4lo, everything is totally open. there is a mod that will allow the f + r traction control feature on in 4lo by cutting a wire in the glove box (similar to reg 4wd operation).

bottom line, in 4wd, the 09+ will go further than the 05-08...

hope this helps.

 

I'm with ya on that..... I love my 07 mechanical LSD. I've always been more of a 'mechanical' person than an electronic one simply for the fact that mechanical stuff is easier to understand and easier to replace.

However - when I'm ready to buy a new tacoma (3-5 years??), the electronic features won't prevent me from buying one.

Now, along those same lines..... I wish Tacomas had the option similar to the Grand Cherokee (Quadradrive). That system is frigin amazing and it has low range also. It's AWD....(60/40 I think) which transfers power mechanically side to side and front to back.

 

I have both installed. The Auto LSD eats rear brakes ..less than a month in our conditions.

 

You do realize this thread is 3 years old. You have to disable your traction control with a MLSD or you are going to burn brakes like crazy. Every time you spin your tires offroad your traction control is braking your rear wheels. Do an abs disable mod so when you go offroad you can do so without wiping out your rear brakes

 

Haaa you bet I put a switch to disable all the electronic Traction Gizmos!!! That's why we put in a mechanical LSD to have something to aid traction, so the truck has both!!!
The roads down there are extreme..ever seen Gold Rush ..filmed in Guyana?? Auto LSD has a hard time using brakes in Wet muddy sandy clay. Truck has front ARB Locker And rear LSD out of an 05
Rear brakes are done within a month!! Lol
Merry Christmas guys!!!