Do I Have An LSD or Open Diff?

I have a 1999 Taco, 2.7L 3RZ, 5 speed manual, 4wd base model. I don't know if the rear is a limited slip or open differential.

How can I find out? Or do any of you know whether this truck came with one or the other?

Thanks..

 

An easy way to check if you have an open diff is to jack up the axle so both rear tires are off the ground, spin one tire. If they both spin the same way you have a LSD, if they spin opposite ways you have an open diff.

And be sure to chalk the front wheels when your lifting your truck.

Hopefully this works for you

 

Thanks a heap.

 

Our Tacomas didn't come with an LSD option.

 

You probably have the same as me open diff.

 

One tire fire good buddy.

 

I thought there were only two options for Tacomas; open or electronically locked.

 

Found it for you...

 

Thanks guys. Side note, but related question: Where can I find out what all the other codes are on the VIN sticker on the door jamb? After looking and looking, I think what I am seeing is my axle code is a B02A.

But there is a group of numbers and letter codes there that I have no clue what they refer to. Any one know?

 

My source shows limited-slip being introduced as an option in 2005 (second gen).

 

No TRD/No Locky/No LSD/ just open diff

 

My door says B03A, which according to the table, means I have an open diff, but I actually have a factory locker.

I tried a few sites that have 'VIN decoders' but they didn't come up with axle information.

 

You do have an open diff... The differential itself is open until it is locked. The E-locker is an option that can be added to many of the different axle codes, so it doesn't need a separate designation.

Those other codes there could be anything. Most likely paint codes/interior color/production info. I'm sure there's a way to decode them online somewhere.

 

I guess my issue is that I have not found a reliable source that says that a limited-slip differential was ever available in a Gen 1 Tacoma.

I was always told that you either have an electronic lock or you don't and there is no 'other' configuration.

Has anyone ever heard of a factory LSD on a Gen 1?

 

Pretty sure all 1st gens either had the E locker option with TRD, & no Locker / LSD option for non TRD models

I never heard anyone being able to get the E locker on a non TRD , this probably changed in '05 tho'....

 

The VIN doesn't have codes for options, other than if its 2wd or 4wd, cab type, motor size, or dual air bags. The last 6 digits is just a serial number.

Tranny, axle, and color have their own separate codes on that driver-side door plate. My paint code is 4M4 (tan). My axle code is B04A ( 8", 4.56, open). Tranny code is A340F (4-spd auto).

 

FWIW, attached is a 2000 Tacoma brochure. I realize it's not the final word on the subject, but anyway, there apparently was no LSD option that year.

Like I said earlier, I think the option was first seen on the 2nd generation in 2005. Also attached is the 2005 brochure which does list the LSD as an option.

 

I know that I use to think that what you said was true. However, me and my buddies are building a road race truck (Chevy S10) and we were looking for a G80 rearend (we since quit and found an Auburn posi) which means "locked" depending upon which type of G80 was in that axle. Regardless, we thought that: lift the truck, spin the tires and if they went opposite, meant it was open.

However, that isn't the case (at least not as a general rule of thumb). We checked about 3 rearends that were "locked" (Auburns or Eatons) and they spun when lifted the same way that we thought an "open only" diff spun.

My point, that may be misleading.

 

This is true, but the LSD's your talking about are open until the LSD kicks in then the rear end locks. I assumed that the older trucks have the lsd's with the clutch packs in them, with those the wheels will turn in the same direction. Eaton's are only locked when you at on the gas, when you are coasting they are an open diff. So when the back wheels are spun, they will turn in opposite directions because the diff is open at that time.

 

I made a thread about this like a week ago..... we must get to the bottom of it! Im figuring its for the 4runners. Did any of them have an LSD? That could be why there is a C option in the code..