Do I need the locking diff?

Rear locker is great in slippery mud/clay. Never had to use locker in sand. If you're going to do a lot of mud driving, skinny tires and a locker are the ticket. Wide tires suck in mud but are great in soft sand.

 

Whether or not you use a locker will depend on where you take your truck. If you consistently look at trails and go i think maybe i can probably make it you should get one. It can make the slight difference you need to get out of loose sand as well. Also keep in mind the stock e locker axle isnt very strong ive broken 2 although i have a heavy truck and try to push the envelope. An arb locker in a non e locker rear is purportedly stronger than the stock e locker something to keep in mind.

 

Get a Detroit locker for the rear and you'll be surprised how much easier your truck is to drive off road

My 02 DC Pre Runner has Detroit locker and Is the best money spent !!!

 

Thanks. That's actually the size it has on it now. I'll be sticking with that size and probably going to 5100/884 or 6112 setup in the front.

 

Good pick on the color

 

Congrats on the truck and finding your Off-Road Tacoma!
Good excuse to upgrade your tires. All Terrains would be a good start.

 

Thanks. I'm leaning toward a set on Cooper AT3 LT's in 265/75-16 (load range C).

 

Here's an interesting thread on the tires I have and would recommend. WildPeaks, in 265/75-16 tire, the T116 the Falcon rep talks about in post #70.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lt-or-p-rated-wildpeaks.516056/

I've heard the Coopers are a good choice.

 

I've been driving off road since the 1970's. My 07 Tacoma is the 1st truck I ever owned with a locking diff. Haven't had a chance to use it in 12 years. My 2014 F150 has a locking diff and I've used it twice in the time I've owned that truck. I might have been able to get out of those spots without locking it, but I had it and used it. There are probably some times where I might have used it in the Tacoma, but it will only engage when in low range. When the locking diff would have been handy I didn't need low range and I needed it NOW. Not after stopping and shifting to low range. The Ford lets me shift with the pull of a switch in 2wd, 4wd hi or lo range.

Locking the diff can have as many disadvantages as advantages. Using it at the wrong time can make things worse rather than helping. But after getting used to having it I like the option.