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Need Help!!! Better for adding aftermarket locking diffs - TRD Sport or Off-Road?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by benjaminallen1, Mar 25, 2013.

  1. Mar 25, 2013 at 7:03 PM
    #1
    benjaminallen1

    benjaminallen1 [OP] Member

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    Custom Elite Front Winch Bumper, Smitty X20, CAI, Custom Exhaust, Throttle Body Spacer, 3" lift, Front & Rear Locking Differentials.
    I need some in-depth technical advice!
    I will be buying a 2nd gen Tacoma soon (likely 05-08) and want input on whether I should be looking for a TRD Sport or Off-Road, or if it really doesn't matter one bit considering my concerns below.
    Based on my budget, the truck I buy will likely have around 100,000 miles on it and once in my possession will be used as both a daily commuter on the highway and my hunting truck (by hunting I mean it will be pushing through two feet of snow, not rock crawling). I want to have locking differentials in both the front and rear (I currently have an '01 Tacoma with front and rear lockers and they do phenomenal in deep snow which is what the lockers are needed for).

    So here is my question:
    *Would it be more advantageous to get a TRD Sport and put the full setup in at once, or to get the TRD Off-Road and just have to worry about adding the front diff locker? What are the advantages to both routes and if you were in my position, what type of setup would you want to put in your truck if it was being used for this purpose, taking into consideration the mileage of the truck when I buy it?*

    Thanks!
    Benjamin

    Truck Bumper.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2013
  2. Mar 26, 2013 at 3:22 AM
    #2
    MadMan

    MadMan Well-Known Member

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    Why not keep your 01, since it's already set-up the way you want?
     
  3. Mar 26, 2013 at 5:42 AM
    #3
    benjaminallen1

    benjaminallen1 [OP] Member

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    Because my '01 is a regular cab and I am in need of the extra seats of a double cab... thus I will be upgrading to a second gen dcsb.

    That is great to know... Exactly the type of advice I am looking for! Thanks!
     
  4. Mar 26, 2013 at 8:21 AM
    #4
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    What about the SR5 rear end with an ARB locker?
     
  5. Mar 26, 2013 at 8:27 AM
    #5
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    Word! That's good to hear, it's my plan.
     
  6. Mar 26, 2013 at 4:43 PM
    #6
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    The scoop doesn't actually do anything... ie. no air enters through it... in case that wasn't known or even matters to you. Just want everyone to be fully informed!

    The '05-'08 Sport TRD has a mechanical limited slip rear differential, which was discontinued in favor of all Tacomas getting TRAC/AUTO LSD (electronic/ brake created limited slip).
     
  7. Mar 26, 2013 at 4:47 PM
    #7
    jandrews

    jandrews Hootin' and Hollerin'

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    Get an SR5. Stronger rear diff than the offroad, quite a bit cheaper. The money you save buys your lockers and then some.
     
  8. Mar 26, 2013 at 4:54 PM
    #8
    nucktaco

    nucktaco Well-Known Member

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    id vote trd sport. the SR5 seats are garbage.

    keep in mind what a set of arbs are gona cost. i got quoted $5600 installed for front and rear arb's for my 08 DCLB Trd Sport. :eek:
     
  9. Mar 26, 2013 at 4:56 PM
    #9
    Spoonman

    Spoonman Granite Guru

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    Sport if you want to change the diffs
     
  10. Mar 26, 2013 at 5:00 PM
    #10
    jandrews

    jandrews Hootin' and Hollerin'

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    Just swap in some TRD seats.

    5600 to ARB the front and rear is ludicrous.
     
  11. Mar 26, 2013 at 5:11 PM
    #11
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    #11
  12. Mar 26, 2013 at 5:14 PM
    #12
    benjaminallen1

    benjaminallen1 [OP] Member

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    What is this mechanical limited slip in the TRD Sport all about? I wasn't aware of this in the '05-'08 sport model. So the ATRAC is only in the newer Tacomas then?
     
  13. Mar 26, 2013 at 5:23 PM
    #13
    Twatwaffles

    Twatwaffles Well-Known Member

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    Best of both worlds (and easier on the wallet): get a switchable ARB locker for up front. If you daily drive it, you're better off with an LSD in the rear.
     
  14. Mar 26, 2013 at 6:21 PM
    #14
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    What do you mean switchable ARB, Do they make an always locked for our truck? How is LSD better than ARB locker for daily driving?
     
  15. Mar 26, 2013 at 7:12 PM
    #15
    Spoonman

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    That truly is a RIP! ECGS was almost half that, with 4:88 gears.

    Trd seats are cozy.
     
  16. Mar 26, 2013 at 10:29 PM
    #16
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Mechanical LSD is exactly that....mechanical LSD that utilizes clutch paks in the differential.

    2009+ Tacomas come with the AUTO LSD which utilizes the brakes. OPEN differential

    If you buy a 2009+ TRD Offroad...You will get AUTO LSD and Locker.
    If you buy a 2009+ TRD Sport ...you get Auto LSD
     
  17. Mar 26, 2013 at 10:33 PM
    #17
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    ARB Air lockers

    http://store.arbusa.com/Air-Lockers-C7.aspx

    ARB is a selectable locker. You can turn it on or off whenever you want it.

    For the same reason you DO NOT want to drive in 4WD for daily driving is the same general reasons (and then some) for not using lockers while daily driving.

    LSD is designed for daily driving. It IS NOT a fulltime locker like ARB
     
    TacomaLimited13 likes this.
  18. Mar 26, 2013 at 10:37 PM
    #18
    Johnsredline

    Johnsredline Well-Known Member

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    I use my trd offroad for elk hunting, and have gone through some serious snow with a stock set up. If your just daily driving, and going hunting in 2ft snow like you said, I wouldn't spend the money on lockers. 4

    The offroad has the elocker on the rear, and for the front you have Atrac.... Atrac isn't the greatest as we all know, but if your only needing it occasionally save your self the 3-6g and just buy yourself an offroad and a hilift
     
  19. Mar 27, 2013 at 12:52 AM
    #19
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    See Janster's posts below on how a 2005-2008 mechanical diff. works. Enough of a maintenance headache to discontinue it forever.

    Since YOU asked... A-TRAC is a level far above TRAC and AUTO LSD, and is best described as 'automatic locker-like' traction control. Once a tire on each axle looses traction (spins) you are DOA. TRAC and AUTO LSD are two levels that limit the spin and transfer power to the non-moving (stuck) tire(s)... it can be a big step up, specially in H4. However, L4 is open differentials plus the emergency only rear locker. No emergency needed but maximum traction is achieved through the ecu and hydraulic brake booster (all other Tacomas have a vacuum break booster). The A-TRAC device matches tire rotation across an axle (as a locker does with gears) to get you up, out and over most anything.

    Now the A-TRAC doesn't make steering difficult on tight trail, so a big advantage there... It only wakes up when you meet an obstruction or a slippery place, and just a little heavy pedal puts it to work. I ran a bad bad road for 3 hours with the A-TRAC on and worked perfectly.

    Turn on the rear locker with A-TRAC, and A-TRAC is off line until you drop below 3 mph (getting stuck), when it comes alive on the front tires to get you moving again. So, for the guys that like to spin the tires in the mud and snow, for show or otherwise... the front end is open and the back end is locked, no limited slip to steel your fun. Get bogged down, with that A-TRAC button always pushed in low range, the A-TRAC genie gets you out!:D:cool:
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2013
  20. Mar 27, 2013 at 4:45 AM
    #20
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    You contradict yourself. ARB lockers on our trucks are not full time, you can turn it off.

    Again how is a selectable locker (ARB) not as good as LSD for daily driving? How often does the LSD engage during daily driving?

    Both are traction aids and can/are turned on in the event of loss of traction and can/are turned off when traction is restored. LSD is also a form of locker, which you say should not use during daily driving.
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2013

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