Fill me with knowledge on the trd sport for 4x4

I was reading your conversion thread.




*edit*

Ok I get it, he put up a link to an XLS file with all the shiz in it.

 

Did you read the instructions before operating the locker? Don't lie

 

There is a lot of misinformation here.

-most were 4wd
-NO LSD or LOCKER in the rear, they have open diffs with "Auto LSD" which is just the brakes working as traction control. Not the greatest system if actually needed.
-all had a hood scoops
-shocks are valved progressively (stiffer the faster the piston travels) vs digressive on the Off Road, hence why installing 3rd gen TRD Off Road suspension makes them ride so much better!
-front sway bar is thicker than TRD Off Road and SR5.
-Painted Bumpers, grill surround and mirror caps. IE NO Chrome!
-badging, duh
-vacuum operated brake master cylinder vs the Off Road that has a fully electronic booster since it has ATRAC
-Sport has an 8.4" rear end that is stronger than the TRD OR's 8" rear, but I haven't seen issues with the 8" as long as it's not an extreme build with 37" tires.

As for year differences.
-2007-2011 all the same but stay clear of the 07 as they were prone to headgasket failure. Also I believe in 2009 they improved the fog lights to use an H11 which was a massive improvement in lighting.
-2012-2015 changed the front end, added turn signals to the mirrors, updated interior and tail lights. Bar none the best looking to many people. In 2015 and late 2014's the radio and steering wheel was changed to a newer style as well. I have hear that the SAIS in 2012 is more prone to failure but haven't looked into it. I personally removed the SAIS System on my truck, I made a write up on it called "SAIS Removal".

I have a 2015 TRD Sport (DCLB) and love it. I believe the 2015 was the best year of the 2nd gen to get and many others do as well. At the time I wanted the OR due to having a locker and ATRAC. But I came across my sport for the right deal at the right time and ended up getting lucky that it was a 2015. I installed a Detroit Tru-Trac auto locker and it's proven to be very good at a fraction of the cost of an ARB or other Electronic locker options.

 

How does the true trac operate on roads? Any noise or weird times it engages?

 

It only locks when it senses more wheel speed on one side or the other. I don't know exactly how much the speed difference is before it locks. But it doesn't lock on tight turns unless you goose it and make the inner tire loose traction.

I've had it for about 3 years now and have never had a situation where it locked up at the wrong time and made a sketchy situation. I live in IA so we see plenty of snow, compacted snow (dang near ice) and ice. Even on snow covered interstates it's never locked up inadvertently and made me crap my pants.

Off road it's served it's purpose very well. They only time it didn't lock for me was extreme low speed with a tire barely touching another rock and barely above idle. A simple fix to that is to tap the brake and it will lock up just fine.

It's not a 100% replacement for and ARB or E-Lockers, but for $400 vs $1200 I'm ok with it. If I lived somewhere where trails were close and all over I would consider upgrading to and air or e locker for sure. But for me in Iowa where a decent trail is 6+ hours away the Tru-Trac fills my needs well.

 

Makes sense. Thanks for all the info. The mechanical limited slip still working good for me in my 06. And I change the oil on time. I'm at about 137k miles. Might look into this when it's time. Or a air locker. Appreciate the help

 

So helpful with this thanks