Differential? Locker?

I am looking for something that will help me out in the snow and mud. My truck's a 2wd so it sucks pretty bad in those conditions. I hear people talking about lockers and differentials, but I have no idea what they are. Do they help out in the mud/snow? What are they?

 

If you have the TRD you probably have a locker (although I'm not sure about a 98'..?). Your differential is what allows your wheels to travel at different speeds, ie when turning a corner your outside wheel travels at a faster speed than your inside wheel. A locker locks up your diff so both wheels travel at the same speed giving more traction.

 

http://www.4wheelerssupply.com/cata...96_22?osCsid=34d161b1f9889172389abb2d90e5c252

Here are some you can look into. ARB and Auburn have gotten pretty good feedback.

 

Alright thanks for all the info! Is there any advantage to an air vs electronic locker? What are the installations for these like?

 

A diff lock is not going to help out all that good in the snow. I had mine engaged in the snow and all it did was slide sideways. Put chains on mine and it did great.
However this was only on snow about an inch high. So I'm not sure if more snow would grab better with diff lock.

 

An air locker or electric locker allow you to select loocking diff or not. it is great for the street. when off road just hit a button and you are locked. the air locker requires on board air(compressor and tank usually). elocker just a wire to the diff. if offraoding these air or electric lines could be damaged and locker could stop working. a full time locker does not have these issues but is not really great on the street. it will work but has some drawbacks.

 

i wish my truck had that button... nice flip flops by the way

 

Mine is a TRD and does not have that button.

 

nope, he has a first gen. but he also has a 4 banger, which didnt come with lockers on TRDs.


While a selectable would be nice, they're $800+ and if you break a line its useless.
IMO i'd go with a lunchbox locker, like an Aussie.