Car and Driver Comparison: 2016 Tacoma v. 2016 Colorado

The G80 is not better in all scenarios. It does gives you an option in all scenarios. So do other systems. It is better than an LSD for locking up, ie when you are stuck you can get the other tire turning, but that won't get you out if you are buried in anything. A selectable locker is better in that situation. The selectable locker is better because you don't need a large amount of spin, which can cause issues crossing gravely streams, climbing gravel or rocks, ongoing through muddy areas, to activate the locker. On the road it locks up, which is bad news bears no matter how high a spin difference it needs, so an LSD like a TruTrac is better in that situation allowing the wheel that has grip to keep static contact with the road. The last disadvantage of the G80 is that, if it is being used, it needs to be rebuilt periodically. I have not rebuilt the G80 myself (ie I did not attempt to change the clutches with my own hands) but when I had one done about 13 years ago it was not cheap. It is not an install it and forget it system like a selectable locker, TruTrac, or open differential. It will require maintenance if used.

Does that make it a shitty option for most people? No. Is it always better than a selectable locker with ATRAC? No. Both work well for the average weekend warrior. If the selecable option does have a flaw it's a Toyota one in that, fresh from factory, it cannot be engaged in 2WD unless it is installed in a simple 2WD truck. That software limitation is put in to prevent people from wreck the differential by using the locker on drive pavement for an extended period of time. However, it can be over rode by a simple modification. It is also worth nothing that on a Ford the locker can be engaged in 2WD.

 

@dlakerguy has a personal beef with me now. I can taste his butthurt. I'm not sure why. I'm not buying either a 2016 Colorado or Tacoma. Both failed out when my wife and I were looking at a new truck. Maybe in 4-5 years when I'm tired of modding and wheeling the Tacoma I might trade in for one of them. However, when I do, my decision will not be related to the G80. I can assure you of that lol.

At the end of the day, sand or mud or whatever, you should really install an air locker if you want to hands down best option for doing weekend warrior type things without spinning out first. The G80 will always require a significant RPM differential to operate, which makes it only slightly better than an LSD on many trails. Historically, the air locker has been the final option people install. Even in GM trucks.

Yes DoorDing. It is basically an LSD that when 120-200 rpm is reached, which depends on the version because it's been around for 40 years, has the ability to lock up and move a stationary tire on the other end of the axle. Which is what I said originally before dlakerguy decided to go on his holy G80 GM crusade.

 

My grandpa retired air force after 24 years. His doctor bills and medication are free. Not to mention his pension. Not staying in the army is a decision I regret. I joined at 18. I'd only have 8 years to go and I'd be set for life. Thank you for your service. And I don't think it was a bad choice.

 

LOL after reading all the posts about the G80 GM uses I'm not sure whether I like it or hate it . Regardless as much as I like what GM has done with the new Colorado (especially compared to the previous ones) there are too many things I don't like so I had to cross it off my list. The imperfect itself Gen3 Tacoma wins by default.

 

I think this is the common argument for most people.

 

You keep saying it takes significant rpm difference before the locker engages. It takes 1 full revolution of 1 tire before it locks up both together. That happens in an instant. It also works in low speed situations for that reason alone. You aren't understanding how it works.

 

It only locks up if the rotational difference between the tires is over 120 rpms or more. So you have to slip before you grip. It does work like an LSD before that because of how the clutch system works. Yes, if the speed difference is at 120 rpm or more it locks up in one revolution, but to get to that point offroad you will have more slippage than one revolution.

BTW the E80 is over 40 years old. Why do you think only one company uses it? The patient ran out long ago. It's a neat feature for sure, but not an option most people would select. It's not really better than an LSD on road and it's not better than a selectable locker off road. It's good, but not hands down above or at the level of each, at both which makes it convenient. GM has used it forever because it does work well on road and it's been there go to for any vehicle instead of the true selectable locker. It has it's drawbacks to on the maintenance and durability side. If you don't believe me, in your own words, go do your homework on what happens if you use it regularly or forget to put in LS additive. Regular use wears out the locker and costs money. No LS additive and people have grenaded the differential.

Anyways, I think we are done here. Again, I'm not trying to say the E80 is completely useless. It has merits. However, it's just not what most guys prefer in a truck they take offroad often since it tends to be a weak link.

 

I'll buy a Colorado if, when I need a new truck, it's hands down better than the Toyota or Ford offering. I only say Ford because it sounds like the Ranger will be coming back. Anyways, till then, if I had to buy a truck right now I'd go down to a AC TRD OR.

 

Only 1 company uses it because of a contract. And that one company also happens to sell the most trucks in the world and also the most total vehicles in the world. It also is sold independently by eaton for aftermarket upgrades and it is very popular that way as well. I still have never heard of people having maintenance or reliability issues with it even though you point to that on every post of yours.

 

The Tacoma will outlive the warranty.

 

I would hope so. It only lasts to 60k. Why is a brand so famous for reliability, so scared to slap a real warranty on their products? If their vehicles don't break, it wouldn't cost them much to increase their warranty.

 

Top three posts on google for E80/G80 failure

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/...g80-rear-exploded-would-you-replace-same.html
http://www.offroadtb.com/articles/how-to-guides/rear-axle-g80-differential-rebuild/
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/eaton-g80-gov-lock-diff-gm-trucks-105673.html

See how even the GM guys talk about swapping it out for something else. It's not just me. I've been around GM's a long time and people don't stick with it when it fails very often.

As far as independent sales how about you post those numbers for us since you are so demanding. I'm sure your ability to "homework" will really shine then. I've never heard of someone putting in the GM locker for aftermarket uses but the world is a big place.

 

I searched that and those aren't even the results for the search! What a joke!

 

GM backed their warranties off because it was costing them to much money from major in warranty failures. I guess you missed your memo:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/wait-w...rain-warranties-just-got-40000-miles-shorter/

 

The article I just read was saying they did it along with free maintenance to bring in more sales and their studies showed it didn't affect sales much. So they put it back to what it was. If Toyota was so flawless, it wouldn't cost them to do it.

 

I wonder how I came up with them so fast then

 

One sure wonders... Looks like a copy and paste from down the list of results. And with millions of trucks sold, you are bound to find SOMEONE with issues lol.

 

two points about the demo...it does not compare a Clorado vs a Taco. It compares GM products with and with out the G80.
Secondly, once our road freezes over and becomes snow covered, it stays that way for the mile and a half I have to travel in, the entire winter. My neighbor's each have 3/4 ton GM trucks with this differential. I have a Taco...We each can drive in and out in 2 wd, even up the very steep hills as long as we don't stop and restart on hills. Then we each need 4 wd. I engage LSD....they just drive in 2 wd and it automatically engages. Each are very effective. Now, what is the diffence ? I have the advantage of NOT using any traction device what so ever if I want. This may not seem like an advantage.

I can allow wheel spin and have traditional 4 wd with a static opposite wheel. This is important for off roaders where steerage and no lockers are essential. Their trucks are diesel and over $50 k each and yet, they have a traction feature on the rear they can't disengage. This exact problem occurs when contract plowing with a GM with these lockers...great at low speed, but your rear end will lose traction and slip sideways in some conditons. It's not really a problem 90% of the time, but can be with a truck traveling fast to get up a slippery hill with little room on either side. You don't have the option to cut it out.

 

Here's the sad truth without the company spin:

So basically if you read past the company BS you figure out GM is losing to much money on the deal so they are rolling back warranties. BTW I wouldn't of even brought it up but here you are bragging up GM's quality, why are they going backwards on warranty?

BTW long warranties are a gimmick because they all end for 90% of the parts on your car at 3 years/60,000 miles. After that only a list of about 18 parts are covered.

 

I saw one of the new colorados the other day.
thing is ugly.

rather a taco