Rear diff

If the rear differential does not disengage, the truck cannot be driven over 5 mph. Is this actually wheels to the ground or does this apply to the rpms of the engine?

In other words, if the rear diff would not disengage and you still decided to use the "tools of the truck" to pull a stump, would that make it worse?

Stupid questions I know, but very serious and legitimate.

 

Rear differential is always engaged. This is where the 2WD power is transferred to the rear wheels. You can drive 70+ mph with the rear diff engaged without issues. 4WD Hi or Lo power goes through the rear differential. 4WD Hi and Lo engage the front diff also.

I would suggest not to use the truck to pull stumps. The stump is intimately anchored to the earth. The truck doesn't have enough ooommmmpppphhhh to pull stumps.

Use a stump grinder to remove a stump. Or if strong hearted and stubborn with small stump use an axe, adz, shovel......to dig it out.

 

Here is what I do
1. Stop
2. Shift to Neutral
3. Lock or Unlock the Differential

As to how fast you should go with the Differential Locked.
Here is what Toyota says about it in the 2013 Owners Manual.

What I won’t do is, say how fast I’ve gone with it Locked.
The important part is definitely do not drive with the Diff Locked on paved or hard surfaces. ( Turning on these surfaces is really hard on the Differential. AVOID this even more )

 

Not saying if you do this you are clear as far as fking your truck up, but I’ve driven with the locker engaged at 15-20 mph for a duration on extremely slippery shit where momentum and speed was my only shot. Like an ungroomed road bumper deep in powder or an icy road uphill. Never have I had any issue.

 

What we should do, and what we have actually done are 2 different things.
It sounds like you and I have things in common.

 

Truck vs. stump videos are always entertaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMsklft1rOA

 

OP I’m not sure what exactly you are asking. The rear dif is always engaged. Are you asking about the rear locker being engaged? I also do not understand what you mean by using “the tools of the truck”. In any event you should avoid attempting to pull stumps with your Taco. It’s a great way to F up your truck.

 

I am of the opinion that there is a incorrect way to remove stumps, and there is a correct way to remove stumps.

Using a Pickup Truck is NOT the correct way.

 

Well I will say this about that:

After digging around a tree stump * making sure to cut loose any roots and loosening it with a large pry bar I have used my two wheel drive truck and 4 wheel drive trucks to pull many many stumps. To be carefull and place a strain breaker across the rope, strap etc so that if it snaps it will absorb the energy and it will not fly back into the truck. I used to carry and old canvass 10' X 10' folded just for this.

** of course the bolded part is very important.

Pulling a properly prepared stump is no more dangerous than pulling another truck or car stuck in the mud or a ditch.

 

I’ve done about 50mph with the rear diff locked on my old pre-runner. It made drifting in the dirt a blast! However, I’m an experienced drifter and would not recommend that to most people, lol.

As far as pulling stumps, I got nothing to say... aside from suggesting that you find a buddy with a 3/4 ton truck to do it for you instead

 

5mph "rule" is just a CYA by toyota. You cant engage the rear locker above 5mph (tire speed), but you ABSOLUELY can go greater than 5mph, Makes dry lake bed or fire road drifting fun.

 

Just as further clarification since I know my initial post was a bit cryptic.....I will be honest that I don't know much about rear locking diff, other than the truck has it.
Someone was using my truck and the story goes that when truck was put into 4x4 to pull sh*t from the ground, rear diff lock went on and would not go off.
But the vegetation was still removed from the yard and I just can't believe that extra stress was good for the truck.
Got the call, towed the truck and here we are. Still waiting to hear what is wrong with it.
So I am mad, but with 133k miles on it maybe I shouldn't be?

 

Oh my......

Never, never, never loan your vehicle. The dillweed that was pulling "..sh*t from the ground..." is an absolute moron. They should pay for any repairs resulting for this debacle.

 

I did not loan my truck to pull stumps, I love it way to much to subject it to that.
The BF took the truck in the morning to help his brother, I thought he was moving stuff, not pulling stumps which would not have been authorized.
But, due to the age of the truck, there has been some blowback about how lucky I am it didn't happen to me when I was driving.
I guess they are paying but I am still the ashwhole. I just don't know if they caused it or if it would have happened to me soon.
Good times! Now I am going to get a rental and it is NOT a 4x4.

 

Sorry to be so cold. But you are not the A55hole.

Your BF and his brother are the A55holes. They borrowed your truck under false pretense, then damaged it, now trying to shift the burden to you.

Be sure to give the repair bill and the rental bill to your BF and his brother. They are responsible for your incurred costs.

One more thing. Be sure to take the truck keys away from the BF. Let him know your truck is off-limits. Keep the keys in your safe keeping. I'm not sure if I'd trust him with the truck or access to the keys.

 

Thank you everyone for your comments. They have been helpful and I feel a bit better.

 

Im still confused as to what the actual problem is.

All stump-pulling BS f*ckery aside, if the rear diff locker is stuck engaged lets start simple...

Is the locker button actually turned off? Sounds dumb, but so does your BF and his brother.. So..
If the button is in fact turned off, it may just need to be driven around a bit. Like slowly driving around, making nice soft S-turns. The rear wheels need to spin at different speeds (hence the S-turns) in order for the rear locker to engage / disengage.

From there you can switch out of 4Lo, then out of 4Hi, then never let anyone else drive your truck again.

 

OP unless you have previously been abusing the truck like locking the rear diff and driving around on dry pavement or wheeling it hard, sounds like you didn't do anything wrong. Its good that you towed it to a shop. Not sure I could say without a doubt until you find out what is wrong, but these events seem related. My guess it would not have happened if the truck was used for normal purposes.

If someone takes your truck, uses it inappropriately, and blames you when it breaks.. seems to me like
1. Lack of respect toward you
2. Lack of maturity to take responsibility for their mistakes

Everyone has to live their life and decide what people are part of it, but those might be things to consider.

 

SR-71A - the problem, as I understand it, is that when it was put into 4-wheel, the rear diff locked, without being asked, and will not unlock.
I don't think the button is "on", and the s-turn thing was tried and did not work, or so I was told.

Gutentight - I would never abuse my truck. The warnings that I read about rear diff confused and scared me enough that I did not feel I had the knowledge to use it. As BF calls it, a "pavement princess". I agree with 1 and 2 of your post, sadly.
I was expecting mechanical explanations and am getting therapy, you guys are the greatest. I have read this website since I had my '95 (which I never should have gotten rid of) and it is my go to for any pertinent info.

As far as the truck, the mechanic seems to think it is the actuator, but is not sure yet. Apparently the good news is there are not metal shavings. Mechanic is friend of BF tho....but he has been very good to my truck and is a great mechanic.

BTW the truck v stump video's were so funny but I felt bad for the trucks.
Onward and upward!

 

The Rear Differential Lock will ONLY come on in 4WD Lo.
It will NOT come on in 4 HI.

I think that who ever used your truck, actually knew what they were doing.
If I were going to attempt to pull a stump from the ground, I would use 4Lo.
As 4Lo gives you the best torque (power) to the wheels.
So, who ever borrowed the truck, at least had enough since to “do it right”.

Ask your BF if they were on soft ground. (Dirt)
If they were, it “probably” was not their fault.

To be honest, the problem is likely due to not using the Diff Lock enough.
Or the fact that Toyota Actuators on these trucks are prone to water intrusion and just plain fail.
Usually the Transfer Case, or Front Diff Actuator fail first. But it is not at all uncommon for the Locker to fail. More often that not, it fails to lock. But it could fail to unlock.

My advice is to engage the locker ever few months.
That way everything stays “working” and free.