2018 OR rear diff not engaging

The factory locker is finicky. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that engagement is most reliable when moving slowly.

My typical sequence starting from 2hi is:

1) while moving engage 4hi
2) stop
3) push clutch all the way to the floor
4) engage 4lo
5) while moving slowly engage the locker

Sometimes this doesn’t work and some finagling the truck backwards and forwards with the wheels turned is required. Another trick is to find a lower traction surface to help unbind the drivetrain.

I’ve never had a reason to use the rear locker in 4hi. If I’m in a situation that requires the locker, then 4hi is just a good way to burn up my clutch trying to crawl over an obstacle. I only use 4hi on the road for the most part. I'm guessing Toyota thought the same and also considered that it was unsafe and/or too hard on the drivetrain to use the locker on the road at 4hi speeds.

 

I believe someone may have worked it out, but it’s a little more complicated on the 3G Tacoma due to the nature of the new locker that doesn’t have the external actuator motor like the old ones did.

 

I honestly cant think of a situation where I would need a locker in 2wd or 4hi. The ATRAC system works itself out without issue and if I am off camber with a wheel in the air then I'm likely already in 4lo. These trucks dont have the crawl ratio to do much outside of 4lo

 

Donuts - Duh! Honestly, I can foresee times when 2 hi or even 4 hi with the rear locked would be more beneficial than limiting your overall speed with 4 lo.