Lockers?

You are better off with 4wd than a locked rear end for any low traction driving. Plus, 4hi can be used at any speed.

Were you inquiring about this at a dealer, and specifically wanted the E-locker? That's really not necessary. While it's true the E-locker and non-locker axle housings are different, that doesn't mean you need the locker housing to fit a locker. Most manufacturers make lockers (better ones than the TRD lockers) that fit in the stock non-factory locker axle housings.

 

There's no auto disengage function, but the manual does recommend that you only use the locker at low speeds.

 

As mentioned I never had any problem driving on the street and the chirping or barking wasn't a problem for me . I learned from a good friend many years ago how to drive a vehicle on the street with a spool and to this day never had any driveability problems

When driving with a spool or welded diff , keeping rear tires at equal tire pressure is critical as if one tire is +/- in pressure it'll cause driveability issues

Also driving two footed helps as you can control tire chirping barking on corners easier by loading the axle on corners . Also when cornering avoid making sharp corners



As for my Tacoma I'm running a Detroit locker and have had many vehicles with this style axle and no issues with driving on the street also

 

I don't know, jbrandt, this is being culled from my memory of what happened nearly 20yrs ago...
was just looking for something that would keep my rear on the straight at 20-50mph
sorta like the newer gens have traction control?
it seems that 4wd all the time eats on the fuel tank (I like to conserve fuel when possible)

 

Right... but for someone driving in the snow they should feel comfortable driving with it on full time. Maybe it’s just me but i’d consider that low speed...

 

On the 3rd gens you can rewire the wires and have a selectable 2wd Low. I'm not sure the compatibility of such on the other generations.

 

So you say you've never had an issue, then list out how you had to learn a special way to drive with a spool that helps minimize, (but not eliminate) some of the issues I was talking about.

It works for you presumably because you have other reasons for wanting a spool on your street car (presumably symmetrical burnouts?) where you live with the compromise of not being able to take tight corners.

All I'm saying is that for a 4x4 truck, a spool is not the ideal way to lock the rear end, although it is certainly a "budget friendly" way to do it (as long as you know how to weld, lol). Even off-road there are plenty of times when an open diff is preferred.

 

They should have their 4x4 engaged, but I always see the locker as an ass-needed thing, not to be engaged all the time.

 

For 4x4s it stays engaged over 5mph as long as you stay in 4lo...if you keep it engaged and switch to 4hi or 2wd, the locker will disengage.

Nope you can go as fast as you want with the rear end locked as long as you're in 4lo. It won't engage if you're going fast but engage it while going slow, then go as fast as you want.....in 4lo. Which means what, maybe 40mph if you're pushing it in 5th gear.

People that do the grey wire mod can lock the rear anytime they want and go as fast as they want. As long as you're on a surface with less traction it's not going to hurt anything

I used to keep mine locked on the trail all the time but I started to notice, especially around switchbacks, that its not so great on your tires over time. I only lock it now if I need it.

 

Well of course it all depends on the specific conditions and driver skill. I don't think a locker or even an LSD would do much to keep your rear end straight at those speeds like traction control does. Pickup trucks are the worst for traction since they have no weight over the drive wheels. Having both wheels spin the same speed isn't doing much if neither tire has any traction anyway. You need to get those front wheels driving, too (i.e. 4x4). Or throw a bunch of snow/sand in your bed for added weight.

The mpgs don't suffer that much when in 4wd, you'd probably burn more fuel spinning the tires in 2wd than you would with the extra "drag" form being in 4wd... If you have enough traction to be doing 50 (safely), I'm not sure you'd need a locker or LSD anyway.

 

you know what they say, "If you don't use it, you lose it!"
It's true though in this case

 

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This works if you have a 4x4... I drive a Prerunner with the locker. So it stays engage until I disengage it.

 

I have an RWD Infiniti with VLSD and a powerful V8 engine. It weighs roughly 4,200 lbs. I keep good tires on it. It is a holy terror to drive on any type of snow or ice. The back end tries to walk around to the front as soon as you take your foot off the brake pedal. Don't even think about giving it any accelerator. It even likes to fishtail when driving uphill on curvy wet streets.

Then I have an FWD Maxima with VLSD. It's equipped like the Canadian ES versions. That thing can climb up an ice/snow covered mountain road with ease. Just point it in the right direction and let it eat.

I'm trying to imagine what this light RWD 2WD pickup would be like to drive on ice/snow with a locked rear axle.

 

What's a good way to test it?

 

Try turning it on? If you're 4x4 you can only do it in 4lo unless you've bypassed the system with the grey wire mod. RR Diff light will usually flash for few seconds or so until it engages, sometimes it's takes several feet of driving. The flashing light on the dash goes solid when it's locked.

If you don't see the flashing dash light or it never goes solid then you might have a problem, usually it's the actuator

 

I was under the impression that 4cyl TRD's didn't have lockers.

 

I don't think the 4cyl TRDs did but before the TRD package was around the locker was an option for either the 4cyl or 6cyl 4x4 Tacomas.

The TRD 4cyls basically just got the TRD cosmetics and suspension

 

Well, it's not like it has gobs of uncontrollable power, but it makes up for it by not having any weight over the drive wheels...

Get some weight in the back, some good snow tires, and you'll be fine.

 

No offense but have you driven a truck with a welded rear or are you parroting what others have said about it?

There is no noticeable difference in the turn radius on my Tacoma. It isn't my first welded diff and it won't be my last. As far as I'm concerned the only drawback is the tire wear. Detroits and other auto lockers still chirp the tires and cause accelerated wear but aren't as predictable in the weather though it is nice to be able to coast into parking spots without chirping a tire.

It handles way better in the snow than the 2 other vehicles with Detroit lockers that I have owned due to the predictability.

YMMV

 

A welded rear diff? No. But I've driven around enough with my E-locker engaged to know how a welded rear end would perform on the road, and I don't like it. Like I said before, I complain about the turning radius on my truck with an open diff. I try to avoid making it even bigger.

I would much rather have the option to turn it on/off when needed.

But your point about the auto lockers is spot on, and is why I prefer a selectable locker.