TRD Offroad or Sport for towing???

I am curious if the locking diff of a Offroad 2005 Tacoma would be better for towing then the LSD of a Sport 2005. I would think the LSD since I am to understand that the locker only works in 4-Lo (5mph) without some sort of electrical modification.

I have not yet purchased a Tacoma but am looking to in the near future and am looking for one with the following features. My biggest concern is the 2005 V6 4.0L w/ Tow Package Tacoma's ability to pull a bout out of the water on the launch ramp. I am really into wakeboarding and most wakeboard boats weigh ≤ 4000lbs which I believe does not include the trailer.

The only reason I ask is because a buddy of mine was having me pull out his 2007 Tige 24' with his midline V8 F-150 which appeared to have a locking diff as both wheels began to burn out. We stopped, plugged in a superchip, loaded the towing program, and up the ramp we went.

Is the tacoma going to be able to get a boat of this weight out of the water? And is there such thing a performance programmers for tacomas?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

A tacoma with the factory towing package has a 6500lb towing capacity.

Your 4,000lb boat and trailer (1000 ??) should be under that.

Yes - the locker is only usable (from the factory) in 4lo range. And yes, there is an electrical modification to be able to operate it all the time if you wanted.

A locker would be your best solution for slippy boat ramps - better than the LSD.

In terms of programmers - I'm assuming your buddy with the F150 changed his 'shift patterns' for towing? There aren't a lot of programmers out there for Toyotas - but they do exist. I'm just not sure you can change shift points of the transmission.....

 

^^
What she said -- if you start to slip on the ramp, you can engage the locker and all will be well.

 

The sport or the off-road would be fine for boat launching or recovery. There is not a plug and play power chip per-se for the tacoma's. There is the URD MAF calibrator, but that does most of it's work in open loop, which you would not be in when recovering a boat.

In a Pre-runner the locker hasa to be engaged below 5 mph, but then can be driven to whatever speed is desired. In a 4wd truck the locker (in stock configuration) must be engaged in 4-lo at a speed below 5mph, but then can also be driven up to the speed required.

However, if you are worried about the truck having to be in 4-lo to use the locker, you shouldn't concern yourself with it. MOst boats on most ramps can be recovered in 2wd with proper gear selection and correct throttle modulation. If that really isn't cutting it, then 4-hi would be more than sufficient. Afterall, back in the oldendays before everyone owned an SUV or 4wd pick-up boats were launched and recovered by the family station wagon.

Either truck will serve you fine, pick based on looks or other features and don't worry about recovering the boat.

 

I was in the same situation as you about 18 months ago. I was trying to decide if I wanted a 2wd or 4wd. I was trailer b1tch for the day when I went out with a friend in his '08 4wd Offroad and I was recovering his 21' Malibu boat. Just for fun I didn't engage 4wd or diff lock, there was no slipping at all.

So I bought a 2wd Prerunner, and it tows perfectly. Occasionally it will slip a little on the ramp (recovering my 2500lb pontoon boat) but hardly enough to worry.

2wd will do you.

 

thanks for all the quick replies everyone, it seems like general opinion on this forum is that the Electrical-locker is superior to the Mechanical-LSD.

 

Many will have you believe that...

 

Is this really true? So what do you so, engage it slowly in 4Lo (Or 2Lo on a 2WD?) and once engaged shift into another gear? I heard about some grey wire mod.

 

No such thing as 2Lo on a 2wd truck --

You slow your truck down to below 5 mph and hit the button. Watch for light on dash, and then drive as needed. No shifting required, etc.

 

Haha I'm guessing you have the LSD? How do you like it?

 

I like it -- never been in a situation where I said to myself... "Dammit... shoulda got the Off Road edition..."

Plus I hate chrome, and the scoop makes me smile...

 

It depends on the situation.

I have the LSD and primarily wanted it for daily driving especially in the winter/snow. For that purpose - It's better than the locker. The LSD is functioning all the time even in 2WD. It's more 'street' friendly. I love the LSD for what I need it for.


For slippery boat ramps - between the two - the locker is the best for that situation.

 

I bought my truck specifically to tow my boat. The LSD comes in handy all the time at the ramp. I've never had a problem pulling out my boat (2500lbs) or my friends (4500lbs). Sometimes one wheel will slip, but the LSD clutch kicks in and locks both wheels for a few seconds and out we go. This might be a different story with the 09 e-LSD but it sounds like you're considering 05s.

 

Bah.....Scoops, LSD, and body matched painted bumpers are for musclecars.

Tow hooks, Locking diffs, and chrome rear bumpers are for trucks....

 

Is there any damage to be caused using 4-hi to pull a trailer if the terrain requires?

 

lol... keep your chrome... I'll keep my hood scoop...

 

No fkn way!

 

i have a off road with the locker mod and i have a hood scoop too! got a damaged hood and repaired and painted to match awuesome !