Wheeling with LSD

I have a 2008 TRD Sport, and I pose a question. When did you know your drivetrain was your limiting factor? I’m teetering on installing an ARB Air locker in the front and staying stock rear, or replacing the LSD and staying open in the front, or both. $ limits and I can’t afford everything, plus I live where there aren’t a lot of trails anyway, so I’ve never really hit my truck’s stock limit. Just curious to hear when folks hit theirs. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Ha, I’ve wheeled with twisted tea before but never that!


*I don’t think I’d do a locker up front first. I’d slap a locker in the back and run it. You’d be surprised where a rear locked, open front, will take ya. Plus, a locker in the front will tear up other parts. If you get comfortable changing CVs once maybe three times, every time, sure. It’s doable lol

 

I had a rear e-locker in my 1st gen. After having it I was looking for a 2nd gen and knowing what the e-locker in the rear could do, I turned down everything I saw without one.
That said, I highly recommend the rear! Rocks, snow, ice living in Colorado it is a requirement. JMO&E

 

Only time I wished I had a locker was driving in deep snow, chains got me out though

What kind of offroading are you doing? Have you gotten stuck yet? Are you worried about mud or snow?

 

I have a 09 Sport. When I regeared, I replaced the rear with a torsen style lsd. It was a huge upgrade from the "lsd" the truck came with. I have been able to complete trails like Top of The World in Moab, deep thick muddy roads out in the Utah west desert last spring and deep snow.

 

Sounds like you haven't gotten stuck yet. Rather than drain the wallet with lockers and winches, I'd do a basic recovery kit instead. Learn the limits of the vehicle before throwing parts at the vehicle.

 

I have a limited slip, I’m also tempted to get a airlocker.

But most of the time I can get myself out with either left food breaking, parking break applied, or more power.
And if I do get stuck that’s what friends are for, and my traction mats.
So I tabled it for now and put my money on other stuff.

I won’t lie, it is super useful, and I still want it.
But sometimes the fun is getting unstuck and using the tools you got in creative ways.

It depends if you off road your truck often enough to warrant a locker. Go for it.

 

I managed without a locking rear diff for a long time. Never had one until I bought my 07 Tacoma. I rarely use it, in the 16+ years I've had the truck I can only think of one situation where I used it and felt I really needed it. But at the same time wouldn't buy another new vehicle without it.

I don't know how much it will cost to install one aftermarket and the expense might well prevent me from adding it later. But when buying one with a factory locker the cost is negligible. No reason to not get it.

It sounds like you don't really need it as much as you want it.

 

Sounds like you don't need a front locker.

Spend the money on good tires and recovery gear instead.

 

front locker runs the risk of snapping CV and helps marginally given it is used up hill where weight shifts to the back and front suspension has limited travel stock.

Yes it’s better because open diff means if one tire comes off the ground (as it often does) the other one becomes no power delivered to it

for simplicity’s sake they make a Torsen for the front
and possibly elocker
The choice is yours

exactly. You get good 35’s (as one should), regear, which makes it time to replace the diff.

stock LSD likely has worn out clutches and is not designed for larger or heavier tires than what it came with.

 

I got the tires recently 32” Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT, RCI full skids are ordered as is a Warfab HC rear bumper (stock bumper and lower fender took damage from a bad driver) basically want to plan some trips around OK and contiguous states. I may stay stock diffs for now, but if I do upgrade I’ll definitely start with the rear.
Thanks y’all!!!

 

Yeah, my ‘17 had the rear E-Locker and it would climb like a billy goat. I miss that truck! My priority in buying the ‘08 was price and a long bed. I wish I would have held out for a 6sp and Off-road version. Oy vey!

 

The 2nd Gen double cab was not available in a long bed with the TRD off-road trim.

 

After 3 seasons with my Tacoma SR rolling on +1 sized Duratracs, I feel like I’ve never really challenged it in a way that required a locker. The only real-world scenario that overcame It’s ability was deep heavy snow, but that was ground clearance more than traction. I was planning a Torsen at one point, but I don’t think I’ll need it. I totally underestimated the capabilities of the base 4WD system.

 

Well, I feel redeemed. I just thought I should have been more persistent !

 

Why are we wheelin on acid and why was I not invited???

 

Haha! I’m so naive!

Big brother must be watching me, this video is in my YouTube feed this morning.
https://youtu.be/vuzGxAKOnoY?si=ooVGaTf3PvJtiZIH

 

Yeah, every time I push my traction control button and my dash says "Auto LSD", I have to chuckle.

 

Update here, i goosed the gas pedal in a wet parking lot today just to give the kiddos a thrill, and just lit up the inside tire with zero engagement of the outside tire and no donut action.
I’m saving up for an ARB for the rear starting today.

 

I’ve always wondered, what makes the clutch pack disengage as in what force or circumstances.

But hey at least you now know your clutch pack is worn out.