What comes bundled with the TRD option?

Got out the owner's manual on this '03 Taco, trying to find out the location of everything. The truck has TRD decals, so I just knew it had the rear differential lock. The manual says the diff lock button is on the dash, immediately to the left of the steering column. The only thing in that position is a place for a switch to be installed. Next to that, I have a dash-light dimmer.

Is the diff lock not a sure thing with the TRD package?

 

yeah it depends... i have a 03 tacoma prerunner TRD that doesnt have a locker... but i just ordered my lockrite last nite

 

x2. You have the 3RZ engine so you do not have the locker. The TRD package has a rear e-locker(6cyl only), bilstein shocks, and progressive front coils.

It is very possible though that a previous owner just slapped some decals on the sides of the bed. Someone did that to my truck, but it was not sold to me as a TRD so I don't care TRD wasn't offered in 96 either). I have since upgraded the suspension though so it is much like a 3RZ TRD package.

 

They did - all the way through 2004, but only for certain models.

It was only 4-cylinder *automatics* that could not have the e-locker as part of the TRD Off Road Package or as a standalone option.

 

As far as I can tell from Toyota factory documentation, the locker was never offered on 4-cylinder automatics - period.

I've seen claims (e.g., at TTORA) to the effect that there were a very few built in the earliest year(s) until Toyota decided it was a bad idea. However, I've never seen proof of this.

The e-locker was introduced with the 1996 model year on "... 4WD Regular Cab models with manual transmissions."

In the following year (1997) the e-locker was offered more widely " ... as an option on the Xtra cab 4WD model for U.S.A.. except 3RZ–FE engine model with automatic transmission."

From 1998 onward the factory options / spec documentation clearly excludes 4-cylinder autos (which would include all 3RZ PreRunners) from getting the e-locker - either with the TRD Package or as a standalone option.

 

Geez^^

That's very thorough thanks for the info. I had read about the locker starting in 96, but I've never seen any so I just assumed it never really came through to the general public's truck purchases.

 

I'm pretty sure you could back in the day order a 4cyl TRD auto w/ elocker... but, it would have to be a special order!?

 

Not through the normal sales channels ... Anything might conceivably be possible on a fleet order (entirely different process), though ...