Removing front driveshaft for drifting RWD with locker

12/11/22 update: driveshaft is off!

hey guys long time car/truck guy here. currently daily-ing 3rd gen taco stick shift (trd o/r). modded for old school 2wd prerunner feel from 90s.

goal is to get rear locked in 2wd mode. im aware of the "gray wire" mod for 2nd gen and some complex schemes for 3rd gen.

looked under truck and front driveshaft (the skinny one between the front end and transfer case) looks easy to unbolt and remove.

if disconnected, would that effectively disable 4wd by preventing the front axles from being engaged such that i could put truck into 4lo with rear locker on and drive (fast) and drift like having a 2wd with a locked rear diff?

or would putting truck in 4lo with diff lock cause ecu to limit speed?

or to look at it another way, what would be impact of removing that front driveshaft?

i plan to put truck on jacks and see if front wheels turn in any mode with no front driveshaft but pretty sure someone here knows already.

the rear locker limitation is literally the nanny i hate the most for a guy who likes to go fast in 2wd with locked or limited slip rear diff.

 

https://www.yotashop.com/differenti...ial-yukon-steel-spool-1993-2015-yp-fst100-30/

A spool is the easiest solution and will take the abuse of drifting. Plus WAY better offroad performance.

You pretty much need a spool.

Buy it.

 

One of the reasons I went with a Sport model was due to the Off Road having the locker nanny. Adding my own locker along with a larger rear axle will keep the rear end happy during 2WD fire road play time. Much of the time, AWD is a my preference, so I can’t lose the front driveshaft…. it’s probably more involved than you want for your own truck, but my evolving solution…. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transfer-case-swap-multi-mode-2wd-awd-vf3am-vf4am.627123/

 

One of the reasons I went with a Off Road model was due to the Sport not having the locker. The Op & yourself should have bought a Prerunner for happy 2WD fire road play time.

All joking aside, 4hi is the best way to drive fast on fire roads. You dont lose the rear end around corners as much. The locker is great for getting unstuck or trying to climb a hill.

 

Man I want to see the rest of your truck OP!

 

Next post will be. My transmission is f'd up, f'n Toyota.

 

Maybe you should have bought a Subaru ,might suit your needs better.

 

I call the rims when the part out is announced .

 

Bro, what you want is the 2LM

 

Beating the F out of a SxS is the way to go here.

 

Sounds like you just need to remove diff cover, grab a welder and *boom* you now have the diff.of your dreams.

 

Stock locker only works in 4lo (yes it can work in 2wd but still would be 2lo), limits gear selection to 4th gear which limits speed if you're an auto.
Not sure if the manual trans has a speed limiter in 4lo

 

MT let you use any gear in low but you shouldn't use overdrive gears. At least that's the conventional wisdom

Edit: It might be just fine to use higher than 4th

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4l-and-overdrive-gears.625637/

 

I think you misspelled 240drift.com wrong.

 

oh...this was a friday post...lol, I thought it was serious for a second HA HA HA good one

 

highlighted

 

I get what you are trying to do. Low range, however, is not going to be fast enough. You are better off replacing or rewiring the rear locker, IMO. Maybe look into a roll cage and a passenger harness belt. Good luck and keep us up to date.

 

i wanna see the rest of the truck!

have you done anything for the axle wrapping you'll get from the leaf springs?