aftermarket Rear Locker options

just bought a TRD sport, because in Canada we cant get Off Road DCLBs. Anyone daily drive a detroit Locker in the snow and ice of a Canadian winter?

 

are you referring to the detroit auto locker?

If so I would seriously advise against doing so.
Also why do you need the locker? I wouldn't say they're the best for snow conditions.

I get through canadian winters fine with a good set of tires and 4x4 when extra traction is needed.
Not once have I needed or even felt the need to lock the rear in snow, let alone off road. And I have the TRD Offroad so I have the factory rear locker.


If for some reason you still thnk you need a locker. ARB seems to be the way to go.

 

I daily drove a rear detroit locker in my previous truck and it was fine when the streets were dry but if it rained (never experienced it in snow here in Southern California), it was squirelly if not downright scary. You had to be extra mindful and careful takings turns, any slippage at all and it would lock up and make matters worse. I imagine having one in the snow would be even more problematic.

I'd save up for an ARB selectable locker and not have to worry about that kind of thing. Auto lockers are really only for wheeling rigs imo.

 

honestly I've heard from plenty of hardcore wheelers and even they aren't always fond of auto lockers.
They're based on speed. for a slow controlled crawl you can't always get them to lock. For rock crawling etc everyone seems to want selectable.

But regardless ARB air lockers would be the way to go.
The auto lsd feature of the tacos might help in snow instead though if the only concern is snow.

 

Not to mention auto lockers make that "clack clack clack" disengaged sound when you take a turn, I don't think you want your brand new truck making strange noises but maybe that's just me. I didn't mind it in mine but it was an older '99 Taco.

 

Yeah the selectable locker is the way to go hands down...when you lock it you know it's locked. When you want it off, you know it's off. I wheeled my detroit one a bit but it was a 2wd Prerunner so the trails I took still weren't all that tough. I much, much prefer the e-locker in my 04 4x4.

 

3rd gens make enough noise as is lmao. no need to add to them

 

Yes and no, and a slightly different Tacoma application.

Being in South-Central Ontario - our winters are unpredictable. Not, in my opinion, worth the expense of 4x4 given the driving that i do. I'll be forced to drive through one or two commuting dumps on the highway per year, otherwise not fond of driving in snow/have a need to venture out in inclement conditions.

Tacoma 5-lug 2wd. I've just upgraded the rear end with the Eaton-Detroit Truetrac LSD, and a 4.10 SR5 differential, in principle, to make the 5-lug slug a little more confident in our infrequent snow conditions.

4wheelparts handled the labor/install for both the truetrac install into the donor differential, and the removal of the old 3.31 differential and installation of the new 4.10 differential assembly. About $800cdn in labor for the two major bench-times.

 

I am aware of the noise my old wheeling toyota had a spool that was awful on road. i never drove a detroit in a long wheelbase and it seemed awful in a jeep CJ. I have run GM gov locks which are wonderful in winter. Seems like ARB or toyota OEM is the best option.

Where can I get the stock diff ratio info from?

 

I've had spools, detroits, and lock rights. I can agree they all kind of suck in the snow.

Well I take that back. They excel in some places and way suck in others.

Definitely arb if it's a street truck.

 

Good call, you'll be much happier in the long run with a selectable one. The price of the Detroit lockers compared to ARB makes them seem so appealing but that's about it. That upside goes away pretty quickly when you're having to drastically adjust your driving habits to make it work for you. A tru trac or mechanical LSD is another option, though I'm uncertain how or if those work any better than the auto lsd feature that the sports come with.

 

i dont imagine an LSD will help any more than the electronic ABS crap toyota put on the truck. I want forward motion, not limited slipping

 

As others have already said, ARB or nothing.

 

I would agree, nothing beats the added traction of a locker when you're in a situation that calls for it. ARB it is then. Harrop is another company that makes aftermarket e-lockers for Tacomas now, at least they are for 2nd gens...Not sure about 3rd gens but could be worth looking into as another option. With the ARB you get the added bonus of having on board air.

 

I'm still curious is this really just for snow?
Seriously if it is I'd save the money dude. You do not need a locker for snow lol. Unless you live in Yukon or something...

I'm in southern ontario and go up north to central/northern ontario all winter (as far north as thunder bay) I do not feel the slightest need to ever touch my locker.

And if you're really wheeling hard, why would you want a long bed? fuck I have the short bed and still want it shorter for the tight trails.


Is yours a manual or automatic?
if its auto you have the same diff as the 2nd gen with an 8" ring gear. if manual you should have the 8.75" ring gear.

ARB will have it all on their site.

 

from ARBUSA

 

the locker is for off roading, but if not a selectable locker it has to be manageable in snow.

 

so the Toyota electric wont fit my auto... ARB it is then.

 

Just saying dude your money do what you want.
But given you're in canada you're looking at an easy $3k for just the rear including install and you need a compressor. Figure $1200USD just for the locker roughly. Dont forget shipping and exchange rate.
I have the offroad so obviously don't need to worry about it cause I have one, but seriously try it out before you get the locker.

Most of the guys I go with have the TRD sport and they haven't needed the locker either and I wouldn't say we do the easiest of trails. Some are rather demanding. zero need for locker so far. if you plan on wheeling why didn't you consider the offroad? I get you wanted long bed but in terms of trails the short bed is much nicer.

Also where are you in Canada?

 

I can't say for sure but a 2nd gen OEM might fit yours.