How necessary are lockers on these trucks?

The key word here is “deep.” Lockers can sometimes be counterproductive on snowpacked roads, but are always helpful in deep (12”+) snow.

 

A selectable locker is absolutely not counterproductive on snow.

The counterproductive thing would be a non-selectable locker, in front or rear, in snow and ice. You may not have snow in Arkansas, but I know you can get ice (I lived there). Non-selectable lockers are not what you want on an icy road.

I wouldn't put a non-selectable locker in the front OR the rear in a truck I was going to drive on the road.

Lockers do help in mud... I know you get that in Arkansas too.


Lastly... I wouldn't base my decision on just what the weather is in Arkansas. If you ever want to take a trip to Colorado, or Utah, or even California... the terrain and conditions could be a lot different.

 

My most frequent use case for my front eLocker is during deep water crossings or climbing a muddy hill. Sure I could make it without it. It just makes it way more stable.

 

Yea a rear Eaton would be the ideal thing for me if money were no object. I’m wondering if a rear LSD like the Truetrac would be good enough for me if I’m not doing crazy wheel lifts and stuff like that. AFAIK they don’t have the negative effects of a lunchbox locker on the road.

Hm yea I’ve always heard not to lock the front on IFS, and if you do to only use it sparingly and with the wheels as straight as possible. The 100 series CVs are supposed to be very strong though. In any case I think I won’t touch the front diff for now. Even a rear locker/LSD would be a major expense. If I’m not mistaken, it’s not a very DIY friendly job to install them either.

 

I may be one of a few people that actually likes Toyota LSD. It works when I need it and I don't need to think about it. No additional wiring is required.

 

Your best bet is, as others have said, get a rear axle that has a locker. That's still what I am running in back. (it will be an Eaton E-locker relatively soon).

I'm IFS... my front is locked with an Eaton E-locker. Best bet is to only use the front locker when I need it. But I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. I've used it quite a bit though. The trails I'm on are a lot different than what ya find in Arkansas though


Doing the lockers can absolutely be DIY friendly. Have East Coast Gear supply set them up. I've swapped out a rear third member and front clamshell in a day (a couple times now). If you buy a OEM locked axle, the swap wouldn't take much more than half a day to do just that.


Again... to each their own. But I have zero time or curiosity on anything other than a selectable locker. I don't want to be wondering if it's locked, not locked, etc. If I need the locker, I press the button and it's locked... if I don't need it, I press the button again. (and on Icy roads, I don't want a non-selectable having a mind of it's own and engaging, disengaging)

 

+1 Doing the 3rd member Harrop/Eaton swap on the front was a slam dunk. ECGS would be the ticket. It took longer to polish the diff cover than it did to make the diff swap.

 

I already sold the TRD axle I had. I like the idea of keeping the stronger 8.4” axle but obviously it’s not cheap to put a locker in there.

 

Yea people out the third member looks a little awkward without a lift but not too terrible.

 

I don't think the 8.4 can really be proven to be any stronger than the 8.0.

My rear axle is original. It has over 400,000 miles on it. And I do some stupid shit with it.



And as a direct answer to the question of the thread... "How necessary are lockers in these trucks?"

For me... VERY.

If you get a chance, have a look at this one. https://youtu.be/s9vKvHGcU4k
Shows some of the reasons why I need lockers, and there's some good back story on this one too.

 

Experience.

Get out there, push your truck to the extent where you need a locker.

You haven't reached that point.

 

This video really makes me want to Arkansas. Looks like a real good time. As for lockers not having having a rear one was a deal breaker for me. I use mine regularly. For the most part its cheaper to buy one with it than to pay someone to add one later.

 

I just use a floor jack.

 

LMAO... I 4wd swapped mine (was originally a Prerunner) and I've swapped my rear third and front clamshell (regeared to 5.29) and added a second transfer case without a lift.

 

I have both front and rear ARB lockers. Always locked when i need them too. Never had any issues. Been locked for 3 years now. The rear stock axle is plenty strong enough for those trails you posted. I do trails like that all day. Only use the front locker when you need it dont keep it on for long periods of time. Try usinging when your wheel are straightish as well and that will help from binding up axle. Ive never broken an axle and ive done a bunch a pretty tough trails. Really where you hear ppl breaking axles is they are doing buggy type trails bouncing their trucks and have a bunch of gear on them. I recently was up in KY double locked on some pretty tough trails and broke my transmission before i broke the diffs lol. So i really dont think you can go wrong staying stock and just upgrading your diffs to lockers.

 

Well like I said I’ve been impressed with my two open diff Taco’s capability on a wide variety of trails. There've just been a few instances where a locker would’ve helped. Hell, if anything, a locker might just get me stuck worse when going out solo. It’s nice to have as insurance in case 4lo isn’t quite enough to get me out of trouble though.

 

You have a second gen right? I’m not sure if the 2nd gen axles are any stronger than the 1st gens, but you do have the 8” front. CVs are usually the fuse in any gen Taco anyway tho from what I’ve seen once you start doing rock trails like you said.

I probably would try not to use them until I get stuck to avoid getting myself into tricky situations. A fully locked truck will go to some scary places.

 

Again.

You need more experience.

A locker can and will benefit anyone venturing out, so I'm not trying to say it won't. But what you've posted as 'trails' have really been fire roads.

That's why @02hilux made an excellent point.

 

That’s a cool vid, looks like the Rubicon if I’m not mistaken. We don’t have many trails like that out here, but we were planning to go to SW Co this summer. Btw do you still have OEM CVs or RCVs?

The 8” vs 8.4” thing is just something I’ve read about so I could be wrong, but apparently in a heavier GX470 they tend to deflect more and they appear to be a weak point on that platform.

 

Yea I think I’ll just leave it alone for now and do some more mild trails. I can always stop and turn around if I feel like I’m starting to reach my traction limits. Down the road I think at least a rear locker would be a good “investment” though.