How to tell if its TRD or Sports?

Off road, on snow, ice, sand when the surface and tires lose traction:

2WD= on tire spinning, the one that doesn't move you.
(Traction Control on 2009+ Tacomas will slow the spinning and improve movement)

2WD+ Rear Locker (only on the Off Road TRD Prerunner): Both back tires rotating the same. If one tire on better surface than the other, the truck moves.

4WD= one tire in front spinning and one tire in back spinning. In both cases it's the tires that have less or no traction, and the other two on solid ground do nothing. Having 2 tires spinning is still a lot better than just one. (Traction Control greatly improves forward movement off road. Non Off Road Tacomas perform the 4 LOW TRAC/ YELLOW WIRE Mod to have traction control in Low Range).

Only the 4WD OFF ROAD TRD:

4WD + Rear Locker= one tire in front spinning and BOTH tires in back turning the same speed. If one is on a better surface than the other, the truck moves.

4WD + A-TRAC= NO tires spinning, power transfers to the tire(s) that have the best traction and any tire(s) without traction (spinning) gets the brakes to equalize the rotation across the axle (front or rear).

 

I have had 3 Off Road Tacomas, with a total of over 300,000 miles, and not one had any problems with the 8" differential. If it was an issue, then don't you think Toyota would address it to remain the #1 mid size truck?

My 2010 had the diff fluid changed twice in it's 70,000 miles, the second time with Mobil 1.

 

Just like how they've eliminated sagging / breaking leaf springs and rusting / replacing frames

 

The 8.4 is stronger. So is the arb locker.

 

You have The Real Deal offroad.

 

Yup, nothing is 100%, but are 8" differentials failing anywhere near the failure of the rear leaf springs (on some Tacomas)?

My '05 had weak springs, but my '10 are still working better than the '05s ever did... no bottoming out on bumps (yet).

 

Toyota did address it, way back in 1995.5! What they didn't address was designing a locker to work with the new 8.4" diff. So, all Tacomas except those with lockers get the 8.4" diff. E-locker rigs get the old style rear end. The 8.4 is a totally different rear end, not simply the third member. It got caged bearing caps, and a larger pinion & ring gear also.

 

Well since the 'Off Road' (in theory) will get the hardest punishment... and has the locker because it will be driven beyond where other Tacomas can go (stock)... it would be the candidate to get a better differential, one would think?

 

LOL@the fake Boobs comment. i dont mind my "fake boobed" Tacoma...if i feel i need a locker in the future than a ARB will be installed. its cheaper than buying the colored matched components like the scooped hood, door handles and mirrors. thats the way i see it anyways.