3rd Gen Rear Diff Locking in 4Hi

Hello Tacoma folks. Hopefully I have a unique question for a not so unique issue.

My 2020 Taco is locking it's rear diff when I select 4hi. I know this because I can hear and feel the rear wheel grabbing when I turn. I was under the impression that the rear diff was only supposed to lock in 4lo and only if you press the lock button.

Is this operator error or do I have a problem?

The green 4hi light blinks when I select 4hi and stays on once engaged. If I do any 4x4 activities like hill climbing, there is a noticable clunk when I return to 2wd.

Any advice will be much appreciated!

 

That just sounds like normal engagement of 4hi. Im doubtful your diff is locked. Get on some dirt or sand and actually go through the steps to engage the locker. Im sure you will notice a big difference.

 

Ok let's say this is normal behavior. What about the loud CLUNK when disengaging 4hi? The sound reminds me of putting an old truck with failing u-joints in reverse, except you can literally feel it relaese like the differential was under a lot of tension. If both wheels could spin independently, why is it under so much tension? Thanks for your help!

 

Normal clunk. And as far as i know, you cant engage the locker in 4 high.

 

The 2hi-4hi transition is smoothest when you are moving at any speed under 60ish or so.

4hi locks the front and rear axles together and thus will cause binding when turning. There is no center differential like in a AWD car.

The rear locker will only engage in 4lo with a press of a button. The transition is smoothest when moving very slowly.

 

Ok. I'll stop whining then. Thanks everyone!

 

Yeah mine clunks too
Sometimes its more of a click
Sometimes it clunks and i’m like oh shit hope i didnt break something…

 

All my 4wd trucks have made noise and kinda felt that way, changing the fluids helped with my tacoma. If you are on pavement there's a bit more stress on everything in 4wd so disengaging (especially if you are turning) will be a lot noisier.

 

Couldn't have said it better!!!