Auto/Man.Hubs Why limited locker choices?

(Though this might be elementary for you long time wheelers)

I am trying to understand the following:

You can put a Lock Right "drop in type locker" on your Tacoma IF you have manual locking hubs.

BUT,If you have automatic hubs on 05+ you cannot and you must us an ARB locker type on front only.

I had a '97 Man. hubs (no lockers) and now a '05 with auto hubs and I'm trying to visualize and understand the differences of WHY a "drop in locker" wont work with auto hubs.


TIA

 

Tacomas don't have automatic hubs, They have ADD "Automatic Disconnecting Differential"

Noone makes a front lunchbox locker for a 05+ to my knowledge. So thats why you can't have one.
And for the older tacomas you can put a lunchbox locker in an add truck, i'm not sure that it's as good as having manual hubs, but you can definitely put it in.

 

A very good read for you to understand - paticularly the fist paragraph.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/autohub/

 

http://www.aussielocker.com/

Aussie lockers have always been highly supported by toyota owners. I didn't see anything listed on their website for the 2nd gens. I'm pretty sure they're working hard to get lockers for the 2nd gen trucks.

I would call directly or e-mail Bill Cole (President). He's always been known to talk to consumers directly and will probably have information about lockers for the 2nd gens.

 

thanks for the info.I used the wrong term. ADD and manual hubs
I meant to say.
I think Im getting the idea on 2 gen.Drive line is on all the time like having manual hub turn on so you have to use an ARB.

 

It's not that the drivline is ON all the time. It's how the front wheels are attached to the axle shafts up front.

Manual Hubs - The axle shafts & wheels are not permanently attached. The manual hubs allows you to disconnect the wheels from the axle shafts.

ADD - The axle shafts & wheels are connected permanently. Both wheels & axleshafts spin ALL the time regardless of being in 2wD or 4WD.

With Manual Hubs -When you switch into 4WD - everything from the transfer case, front driveshaft to the front axle shafts will be 'driven' (in 4WD) but if your hubs are disconnected, won't have any drivepower to the front wheels.

 

Using the auto locker up front makes for difficult steering even when you are in 2wd. Even though the diff is disconnected, the axle shafts, and therefore the wheels are still connected to the locker and may cause some trouble with steering. With the manual hubs, the wheels are now totally disconnected from the locker and can turn freely when the hubs are unlocked.
ARB will totally disconnect your wheels from the locker.

I've never run a setup like this, but i think this is the reason it's not reccomended to go with an auto locker and ADD.

 

thanks for the insight.i think im grasping it.is there actuater,at the diff or at the transfer case?Where is the disconnect point?

Not to change subject but is it true that the front axle/spindles are a larger diameter than previous models as with a stronger front diff?

I enjoy understanding how things work.I used to be in to sandrails and Baja bugs for years.I bought my first tacoma and left the VW.s I never looked back

 

by the way i download the service manual and will give it look.

 

Here is a good article to read up on. Should explain things pretty good.

http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/tech/the-automatic-disconnecting-differential-system-19259.html

 

There we go!

May I suggest other fellow members read this as it is good to know whats under your vehicle.If your wheeling or as with my brothers case his ADD got stuck in 4WD and needed a several hundred dollar fix that was covered by warranty

I still think they should have stuck with manual hubs.How lazy can we be as a society to get out and turn the hubs?

The article states that there are more than 50 parts involved with the ADD system and diagnosing can be difficult and EXPENSIVE from TC members post

God bless engineers but I think they had too much time on there hands with this one or they got orders from some pinhead to redesign the system.

BUT kudos to the beefed up front Diff, and axles if thats true.
Of course the E-locker Diff. design was good (wish I had)


Thanks for the info

 

I will call Bill and will post if I find out something of interest.

Thanks

 

Well,I called Bill Cole today at Aussie and he actually picked up the phone.
Bill stated that this request/question has been received from many customers. They are looking into it. Bill stated that if it is just a "scaling" change ( 7.5 to 8.0 ) then a new product could be available not too far in the future. If it is a total redesigned there is additional engineering and setup costs that they would have to decide on.

At least it sounds somewhat positive!