Difference between TRD off road and 4 by 4

As has been mentioned before, you should double check to confirm that the model you are looking at is a genuine Off Road (or 4WD for that matter), rather than just looking at the graphics. The Off Road edition Tacomas had a rear e-locking differential, Bilstein shocks, and better tires. If you get under the truck and look at the rear diff, the e-locker is easy to see. It should also have a button on the dash, but I would still get under the truck regardless.

Here is a picture of an e-locker differential. You can see the actuator on the right side (DS) of the carrier.


At this point, you're probably better off with a regular 4WD Tacoma. The OEM rear e-locker is actuator-driven, and is inherently unreliable. The aftermarket support for suspension and tires is huge, and all of the features from the original Off Road edition have exhausted their service life. You would be replacing the tires and shocks regardless.

I've also read that the differential on a regular 4x4 (without OEM e-locker), is more robust than the differential with the OEM e-locker. Plus, the Harrop e-locker is better than the OEM one anyway (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-ifs-e-locker-and-8-4-e-locker.438253/).

All other things being equal, the "additional features" of an Off Road edition should not command a premium in price compared to a regular 4x4. But as a practical matter, just try to find the most well-maintained low-mileage Tacoma 4x4 V6 access cab within your budget.

But that's just my worthless opinion.

 

The whole debate over reliability of the e-locker is never ending, personally I've never had issues with mine and neither has anyone I've wheeled with. But like anything else electronic, it's going to have it's weaknesses. Air lockers like ARB have weak points, too. If you really want to be careful with it, companies like BAMF make e-locker skid plates that are good to have if you plan on wheeling. If you tag that actuator on a rock it's probably going to mess something up

 

Not entirely true. I've got a factory TRD offroad PreRunner with elocker and Tokico shocks, not Bilstein.

 

My mistake. I meant to speak more generically. The TRD Offroad edition came with *upgraded* shocks.

I was just trying to say that the original equipment shocks that came on the vehicle shouldn't be the deciding factor when shopping for a used 1st gen. No matter what the shocks, if they're original, they're probably due for replacement.

Fair enough. An ARB air locker doesn't particularly interest me because it makes the whole setup so much more complicated. I really want to pull the trigger on a Harrop.

Do you know if the regular differential is beefier than the OEM e-locker diff? I've never compared them in person.

 

I do believe I have a stiffer spring in mine with the Tokico shock. It rides much rougher than my previous Tacoma ecab (non TRD). Both had Tokico shocks... must be diff spring rates.

 

The Harrop lockers look really interesting, it's nice that there's another choice now when it comes to lockers seeing as how before you were pretty much stuck with either the OEM one or an ARB (or a full time lunchbox locker, those things are a pain in the ass). I've heard the same thing about the differentials, how the open diff is stronger than the e-locker one but I haven't ever compared them personally

 

This is the first I've heard of the factory e-lockers being unreliable. From what I've seen and experienced, there is almost zero reason to go aftermarket locker if you've got a truck with the factory e-locker. If you get a truck without one, you have more options, but I wouldn't steer you away from a TRD locker in good shape found at a wrecking yard or off a donor truck. You could find a whole axle with locker and trade in your non-locked axle. Easy, cheap (if you can find one) replacement, then you just need to install the switch. Air lockers like ARB's are great lockers, but you also need more than just the locker (air supply) to consider.

You make good points about the service life of most of the components that come with the "TRD" package. After 13+ years on the road, the only thing that I would expect you to still have as original on a 1st gen is the locker. If you still have all original shocks etc... for god's sake replace them, at a minimum with 5100's, and these older trucks I'm sure have worn out springs, too, so add those to the list.

 

When i was doing this reasearch, i found that the 4x4 none TRD has an 8 in diff as apposed to the TRD E-locker has a 7 and something in diff. I wanted the ARB lockers and thats what the sight said. Never checked on the axile but just a thought.

 

Interesting! I was always jealous of TRD Offroad owners and their e-lockers. Every time I would ask an OR owner how they liked their e-locker, they would always say it was cool, but that it would never engage when they really needed it. I've read elsewhere that the electric actuators were unreliable. But I've never owned one, so I cannot/should not comment about first-hand experience.

I suppose my major point for the OP was, don't get too wrapped around the axle trying to locate an Offroad edition. Just look for a well-maintained Tacoma in the specs you like (4WD, V6, Access Cab, Year Model), and if it doesn't have an e-locker, you can always upgrade if you really want one.

 

The e-locker doesn't engage right away, it's not designed like that. It's normal for the wheels to have to turn a bit before it lines up and locks/engages. Some people tend to think that just because they press the button, it should be "on" just like that, but it just doesn't work that way. It is frustrating though if you get into a spot where you suddenly need it but it won't lock in right away. I always keep it locked if I know I'm on a tough trail. Just have to take it easy going around tighter turns.

 

IMO, part of good driving is planning ahead. If you find yourself in a situation where you NEED instant lock, you're already screwed (typical of people who go out and buy an off-road truck with absolutely no knowledge of off-roading and expect they can just go out and start pushing buttons and go wheelin'). Best to lock up before you get there. Back in my wheelin' days, more than once I've heard over the radio something to the effect of "why the hell weren't you locked yet? Get the winch."

To your second point, very true. It's best to find a vehicle with a well maintained engine/frame (the heart of ANY vehicle), and the rest can easily be replaced/upgraded. Most people never even engage their TRD locker anyway, and only want that cool factor from the stickers.

Yup, this...

I've never had a problem with mine engaging, but I know it's not designed to engage *instantly* in any condition. I don't have any experience with air lockers, but I didn't think those engaged instantly under any condition either...

I guess if you've already put yourself in a bad situation where you NEED instant lock or 4x4, you just didn't plan ahead, but then complain that it's the equipment's fault for not engaging "properly"?

 

Nobody cares. 1st gen.

 

my bad I missed that. Been some long days recently.

 

Sorry but not accurate. Here is a shot of my window sticker. I have a 2001 TRD offroad. BTW it came with Tokicos.

The TRD group is listed in the right side area.

 

My '97 was a TRD with a locker. Would still have it if it weren't for the f'n rust.

 

Yeah im pretty sure that was the first year they came out...

 

maybe the PreRunners had Tokico or they weren't put in the first few years of the TRD pkg? My '04 4x4 had the yellow Billi's

 

BAM!!

• TRD Off-Road Package — includes off-road-tuned suspension with Bilstein®2 high-pressure gas shocks and progressive-rate springs, P265/70R16 BFGoodrich tires on 16” 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels,3 locking rear differential,4 black fender fl ares3 , 5 and TRD graphics

2 Tokico shocks on Double Cab models

http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/Toyota/Tacoma/Toyota_US Tacoma_2002.pdf

 

Interesting, an off-road package on a 4x2.