4 wheel drive on a 98 tacoma with locking hubs

Do the greywire mod, get some good tires on there, and a lift kit, and your truck will take you just about anywhere you can think to go.

 

You're mistaking "locking hubs" with a "locking differential."

These are totally different things.

Without the hubs "locked" no front wheel has power delivered to it.

With both front hubs "locked", the open differential will equalize power distribution across both front wheels. If one wheel has no traction, then it can spin at full speed with basically zero torque, so zero torque is delivered to the other wheel. That's what an open differential does.

Left rotation speed * Left Torque == Right Rotational Speed * Right Torque.

When you've got a wheel on a zero friction surface, zero torque is required to spin the wheel, so:

100 RPM * .001 torque == .001 RPM * 100 torque. And so the wheel with traction does not move - well, it does, but so slowly as to do you no good at all.

The reason you feel bind when you're in 4 wheel drive is NOT because the front wheels are unable to move independently, but rather, because the center transfer case has no differential. So one front wheel, and one rear wheel must always rotate at exactly the same speed. However, as soon as you turn the steering wheel, all four wheels prescribe a slightly different radius arc, so they would all naturally rotate at a slightly different rotational speed, if they were free to do so.

They are not - and this resistance is the bind you perceive.

Hope this helps.

 

yes as far as i know

 

If it has a rear diff lock it there should be a swith to the left of the steering wheel, that says RR diff lock

 

is a diff located in both axels

 

it does not. but in the 98 model does it come with open diff or locking diff? front and back?

 

Yes a "diff" is short for differential. 4x4's have front and rear differentials.

If it is not a TRD it came with open differentials in both the front and rear.

 

so the 4x4 is not as good as it could be

 

No, but depending on how extreme you plan to go it is fairly capable as it sits.

 

is it possible to put a locking diff in the front? or in the back? and if so how much trouble is it

 

Yes it is possible to install lockers in both front and rear. The air actuated lockers (ARB) are about $1000 a piece and need to be installed by someone who has experience on working with differentials, most 4x4 shops can do it. Most people install a locker in the rear first, then if they feel they need the extra traction, install a front locker. You would be surprised at what an locked rear diff and an open front diff will get you over.

 

My truck came with a electronic rear diff lock. I put a lunch box locker in the front, so now both diffs can be locked at the same time. Anytime there is power going to the front diff, it is locked. If I only want one wheel to pull, I just lock one side.

 

Or this^

 

if i put a locking rear in will the rear wheels ALWAYS spin together or is there away to "disengage" it when driving on the highway?

 

It depends on what brand you go with. The ARB locker is turned on/off with the flip of a switch, but those do require a compressor to engage the locker.

 

by lock in one side you mean the hubs?

 

will it hurt to get a locking rear diff that is full time and use it for casual driving

 

what do u mean by a compressor?

 

I wouldn't recommend it, it will handle alot differently esp. on slick surfaces.

This was taken from another thread.

The Powertrax locker is a no-slip type, meaning that when one tire starts to slip the locker automatically engages. In which case you have no control over.

 

are there any locking rear diff that do not require a compressor and can be disengaged