8.4 locker options

Got a 96 4cyl 5sp with 8.4 open rear diff. Manual hubs up front. Later this summer I'm re gearing and thinking about lockers. ARB is out of my range. What other options do I have? I was looking at Aussie but I don't think they make them for my rear diff. I'm not going to swap with an elocker. I have a company vehicle so it's not a daily driver. Do very little off road with it. I don't really need it, but would like to have it if it's not much trouble. Only thing I found besides ARB and e locker is Detroit locker and trutrax? Just trying to find out what's available for the 8.4. Thanks.

 

Detroit, lockrite, I think there are more

 

I'm pretty fond of my powertrax no-slip. Roughly $400

 

same. except im cdn and have pay over $600...

 

Ouch.

 

still worth it though. 3 years later and it still functions as new.

 

Thanks for the replies. How do I know if I have a 27 or 30 spline? No slip up front also?

 

Part number is on the box.

 

For the record, are you familiar with how this type of locker works? Not doubting your intelligence. Just seems odd for someone who will be off road very little to be considering a powertrax locker.


Also, You won't want one of these in the front diff.

 

Have you really pushed yours yet. I like the idea of getting one of these to fill the time between now and when I can afford to regear and get an ARB. But I'm not soft on my rig at all, and bouncing as well as high speed turning aren't uncommon for me. Do you think one of these No-Slips will hold up or at least not grenade catastrophically (taking out other parts in the process). It would be very convenient to have a rear locker for the interim time before I can afford a full front and rear regear and new 35" tires. $400 seems like a deal to me

 

I would not recommend a lunchbox lower like the powertrax for someone who rarely offroads. I don't need my locker engaging when making tight turns on the street, causing the rear end to lock up attempting to break my driveline components, making banging noises or trying to kill me when I drive in the snow. If you are considering a lunch box locker it should be for a poor mans locker for a truck that sees heavy trail use, not for a truck that sees very little if any off road use.

I would recommend the trutrac. It is affordable, seamlessly transfers power from one wheel to the other without being a dumb 'on/off' uncontrollable switch like a lunchbox, will be completely transparent on the street, has no wear parts unlike less aggressive clutch LSDs, and will provide significant traction performance improvements over stock.

 

Yes, I have pushed it. I love it. It is a complete game changer off road. Idk what I was doing with open diffs all that time. 2wd locked is so much fun for the easy/ moderate stuff. The technical stuff is so much more fun with the locker because you don't have to rely on momentum to get you over obstacles. Just let her crawl. Tire off the ground? Who cares? The other is still clawing away. I have several friends who have been running them for a long time without issue. They turned me on to the unit. I highly suggest finding someone with one and trying it out. I certainly would not use it as a placeholder. It's too expensive and too nice for that. If it's not for you, keep saving.

I agree with your recommendation of the true trac unit for OP. Like I mentioned, a locker on a street truck seems pointless.

However, your description of the characteristics of my locker are in no way accurate. It certainly requires a slight adjustment in driving style, but that occurs naturally and quickly.

The unit is 100% predictable, 100% of the time. Throttle applied = rear locked. Simple as that. There is no random "uncontrollable" engagement to suprise you. Want your rear open? Let off the throttle and coast.

The weak link in the driveline is the inside tire's contact to pavement in a turn. You will hear that tire scrub or chirp when turning sharply with throttle at low speed. Think parking lots.

My unit is not loud at all. I only occasionally hear it click with the windows down.

Your snow comment is certainly worth mentioning. You must account for the locker in the snow/ice. With an open diff, one rear tire is planted, not receiving power, while the other pushes you around a turn. You won't have the plant and hold tire with the locker. The truck will want to power slide around corners. You just have to take it a little easier. Again, if you're used to this it's no big deal, but could get you in trouble quick if you weren't expecting it.

Hope this helps.

 

Yes, I know how they work. But never had one or know someone personally that has one I don't know if it's the best for me. That why I'm asking for opinions here. I appreciate the advice on the truetrac. I'll start researching that option. I don't off road much, however I want something besides open diff when I do.

 

The true trac is essentially the opposite of an open diff. The tire with the most traction gets power. Probably best for your needs.

 

There's also TJM Lockers. Summit Racing will run deals on them periodically. Earlier this year they had them for around $600. I'm pretty sure them make them for both front and rear for Tacomas. I don't have any experience with them so I cannot comment on them from a users point of view.

 

this. my no slip is virtually unoticable. never bangs, pops, or locks erratically. once unlocked the no-slip doesnt ratched like other lunchbox lockers and requires a decent amount of power to lock back up. so even while lightly on the gas while turning the diff stays unlocked.

as for snow comment. its no different than most lsds. in low traction conditions both tires will spin. if your in conditions where thats a problem then you should already be in 4x4. (i drive my truck most of year in snowey/ice conditions and its never felt any less controllable than an open diff)

 

they are warrantied for use with up to 35" tires. these are probably stronger than the factory spiders gears. over a long period of time some ppl (couldnt find any cases specific to tacomas) have had pins wear but they sell replacement pin kits.

 

I have a TrueTrac that's been in there for a few years now and I have zero complaints. On road I don't even know it's there and off road I get extra traction.