4x4 HELP ,,,

wanting to by a used 2004 toyota tacoma trd sr5 from a gentleman
How to I tell if is a 4x4 ???
He says it has locking rear differential which I know comes in the TRD PACKAGE but will this give me 4x4
Don't know if this makes since ?

Is there a difference between 4x4 and the locking rear differential ?

Thanks

 

There will be lights in the instrument cluster when you shift into 4WD. I think it is a small pic of rear wheels and front wheels with a line between them.

Locking rear diff is for use when in 4 LO, and locks the rear so that both wheels spin, as opposed to only one side. While Locking diff is used with 4WD, it is not 4WD on its own.

I believe owners manual, if you have it, will give a better explanation than I did, but this is it in a nutshell.

Welcome to TW!

 

Get down on your hands and knees, and look at the back of either front wheel. A 4wd will have an axle shaft going to the middle of it. A 2wd 5-lug and pre-runner 6-lug will not.