Keep my old taco or buy a new one?

Mine had an LSD rear end. In two wheel drive find a dirt road with loose dirt. Stop and take off quickly, LSD will spin both rear tires.

 

But on a nice flat gravel road with equal traction in a straight line, would an open diff not spin both as well?

I think LSD can be determined from the axle code. But I want to say it was only available up until like 2008 or 2009. Dont quote me on that.

 

What RedWing 44 said why make an issue when one is not present!

 

I’d put in an air locker and regear it. There’s nothing special about a new one.

 

Keep it...without hesitation

 

I was about to say it didn't have an LSD, but looking at the brochure, it seems all trims came standard with the Auto LSD. Which isn't a mechanical one, but uses your brake lines to brake your wheel individually.

 

A limited slip or locking rear diff is of limited help in snow. And in many cases is a handicap. Either MIGHT help get you moving from a stop if you have one wheel on ice and the other on clear pavement. But either will also make it more likely for you to end up in a ditch. If only 1 wheel on the rear axle spins while going around a curve you will continue to travel in the direction you are going. If BOTH rear wheels start spinning gravity takes over and the ass end of the truck goes downhill fast. Since most roads have a crown where the center is higher so water will drain toward the ditches the rear of the truck ends up in the ditch.

This is where traction control works great. Traction control uses computer sensors that applies brake pressure to the spinning wheel which causes the differential to stop sending power to that wheel and redirects it to the other. You can lightly apply the parking brake to manually do the same thing long enough to get moving in a similar situation.

 

Gotcha, I’ll double check the info to see if it has an LSD but I think you’re right by saying they come standard using the brakes instead of an actual clutch pack. The general consensus is keep the beast so that’s what I’ll do. Throw some better suspension in there and run her proudly! Thanks everyone for your input, I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions haha

 

Keep it, you'll spend a lot more buying a newer model with tax + fees

 

Cheapest Option.

 

I got a 97 reg cab 4x4 auto with a rear air locker WAYYYYY better than these trail limos out here

 

With the crazy new prices keep your truck. Plus, MT is really hard to find now.

 

dont U have a limited slip rear end that WILL pull in snow

 

Keep in mind, per Toyota, the locker is for getting you unstuck rather than for normal driving. I believe it automatically shuts off above a certain speed too. It's low, like 15 mph or less (I don't remember the exact limit). So if you're in a ditch from using the locker, you're doing something very wrong.