Pre Runner off road capabilities

Hello Forum,

I have an '08 DCSB, 4.0, auto. It is lifted 1.5"'s in the rear via Hellwig helper springs & I have LT 265/75r16 BFG A/T's. There is no LSD sticker on my differential. There are no buttons inside the truck or lights in the dash for anything traction related. I don't know if I have an open differential or a mechanical limited slip.

I live in Miami & I have a few questions regarding light off roading & mudding:

1) Where in Miami can I go to do some off roading or mudding?

2) What are my vehicles capabilities?

3) Does Toyota sell an e-locker kit for this? If not, then who?

4) I would also like for the dealer to do this. I don't know anyone that does this & I would like to have the work warranteed from the dealership. My original plan was to purchase a 4WD but I got a great deal on this one at the time & any off-roading that I do will be light (muddy, dirt roads) but if I can invest a few hundred bucks & get the rear end to lock then I might just do it. I like electric vs air since it does not involve an air compressor, lines, etc. The e-locker looks more simple.

I saw some trucks driving on dirt roads off of sw 8 st & 137 ave. If anyone is familiar with this area, thats what I would like to do, if my truck can handle it.

Thanks!

In case you haven't noticed (LOL), I'm a NOOB!

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t379/TACRUN1/Photo1029.jpg

 

^^^this and your diff is stronger (8.4) than the stock locker diffs (8.0) so an aftermarket locker would go great with your diff size (8.4)

 

You'de be suprised what our trucks can do 2wd w/ no locker, I sure the hell was. From the type of off roading your describing that you will be doing, a good set of tires will benefit you more than a locker. Doesnt sound like you will need one, the only oves Ive ever looked into are ARB and that'll cost you over 1k, but Im sure there are cheaper ones.

 

How about:

TACOMA T100 8.4 - LOCKRIGHT PT1615





TACOMA T100 8.4 Powertrax Lock-Right® PT1615

SKU: PT 1615

PT 1615 Fits tacoma Non elocker, T100, and Tundra rearends. Commonly refered to as the 8.4 Toyota Diff. If you need traction to both wheels at a low cost, a Lockright is your answer. Its simple design has proven itself as capable and dependable in the most demanding conditions. In addition these units come with a manufacturers 2 year warranty.

Pricing:$375.00


I just can't sem to find info on how it works. Any one have experience with this?

 

Air down....

 

I have this locker it is nice that it's locked all the time but your tires wear down faster and in the rain your gunna slide a lot ask me how I know and also you do wana buy lunch box locker go with (spartan) they basically copied the design and made the pinion shaft bigger/ stronger little more heavy duty

 

Your locked all the time Juan??? . Screw that.

 

Yeah bro 2wd locked mutha fucka but I'm locked all the time which is nice when offroading but street horrible wish I went with auburn there a good selectable locker. Like I said if you go with a lunch box locker go with the spartan Locker

 

Locked all the time is definitely not good. I drive approxamitely 80% highway. I do not want to risk on road safety. I do not want to spend a thousand dollars or more for something that I rarely do. I was hoping more for something in the $500 range but, again, not wanting to compromise on-road safety. Tha being said:

Any other suggestions?

Any 2WD friendly areas in South Florida that someone can recommend?

Is there a $500 (in that area) solution for this?

Is my differential an open differential?

BTW, Thanks for all of your input so far. It sounds like if I am underestimating my truck a little & that tires are very important so I am EVEN HAPPIER that I chose my current tires!

 

As already mentioned these tacomas can do a heck of a lot more than expected in 2wd. Tires are very important and you made a good choice on those.
probably the best thing for you is to find some local tacoma guys that have 4wd and go with them somewhere and try it out that way if you get in too deep they can pull you out.
Look under the "TOPICS" sections and there are subgroups broken down by region and that should help you hook up with some local guys.

 

Might try this thread to find someone to wheel with http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/florida/98537-florida-b-s-thread.html

 

I'm very happy that I inquired about this via this post. I'm learning alot. I forgot to mention that I did not know what the hell a 3rd member was. Now that I know what that is, & with all your input so far (BTW, keep them coming) I will look into the following:

* Meeting up with some locals & NOT GO AT IT ALONE!

* If I feel that after I do this I need to get an LSD 3rd member, then I will. I thought that I had to buy an entire differential in order to get that. Again, now that I know what a 3rd member is & that I can buy that separately then that will be the route that I take. My vehicle has 40,000 miles on it so I don't want to take a chance on a used differential. I LIKE the new 3rd member.

If I do this, where can I buy this LSD 3rd member? What is the approxamite cost for one AND to have it installed? If I have to go the dealer route, then I will. Even if I have to put this on my credit card. I just don't like taking chances & I like warranty for what I pay for. If I can't do it myself, then I don't mind paying for quality parts AND work. This is not an emergency. I can save up $.

 

Hello,

I was looking at ToyotaLexusScion.com & I saw these. What is a differential locker, how does it work, & do I need this? Also, what else would I need to purchase? I just want to do my homework in case I go the delear route so I know what to expect

Thanks again

DIFFERENTIAL CASE Tacoma; w/Limted Slip; w/Rear Diff. Lock
MSRP Core? Online Price
$727.33 $0.00 $542.21

DIFFERENTIAL CASE Tacoma; w/Limted Slip; w/o Rear Diff. Lock
MSRP Core? Online Price
$430.61 $0.00 $321.01

 

Tacomas with the TRD Off Road package ship with an e-locker, which will not fit in your axle as mentioned above. If you were to go this route you would need the ENTIRE e-locker axle from a TRD Off Road, as well as the computer that it hooks up to, and you'd have to wire the switch, relays and such. You can get all that for $500-$1000 used off forums like this one, but to do it brand new, you'd be WELL over $1000 after installation.

 

OK. Scratch the e-locker! I'm not looking for HARDCORE traction upgrades. Just an improvement over my bare bones open diff. Any rough idea on how much money would this be, with labor included? Also, is there a 3rd member LSD thats better than OEM or is OEM the way to go? As I mentioned before, I will most likely have the dealership do the work.

 

I'm not sure what those part numbers are for, but this:

DIFFERENTIAL CASE Tacoma; w/Limted Slip; w/o Rear Diff. Lock
MSRP Core? Online Price
$430.61 $0.00 $321.01

sounds like the OEM LSD 3rd member. If that's the case, you'd just need to get that part and have the dealership swap it. I wouldn't think it would be more than a few labor hours, so maybe up to $300 for the install? That's just a wild guestimate, I've never had it done. Maybe someone else can chime in with experience

 

I'd say take your truck out a few times and see how well it does then go from there with your mods/upgrades.

The very first thing I'd buy though would be a good recovery strap.
I had to pull out a 4x4 jeep with my prerunner last time I was out.

 

Toyota puts a larger/stronger diff in the non TRD OR Tacoma than they do the OR? Did not know that.
An SR5 4wd truck would have a larger diff than a TRD OR 4wd?

 

Limited Slip should also help at the boat ramp, right? I haven't had a problem yet but in case I ever do then I assume that the Limited Slip would take over. Am I correct?

 

Thanks. Would like to see the comparison.