Do I need the locking diff?

I'm in the process of shopping for a used 2nd Gen taco for my son. The truck will be used several times a year on offroad trips, primarily in the sand dunes. I was set on the TRD Off Road package to get the locking rear diff, but I'm wondering how important it is. I'm finding that clean trucks with the off road package are hard to find or expensive. I'd probably install Bilstein 5100s and OME 884 springs, so the offroad package shocks aren't important to my decision. We're obviously buying a 4x4. How much would I miss the locker in the sand? I've got a ton of experience driving in the sand, but previous trucks have had lockers. Will the Taco have issues in 4wd without the locker? If it's a night and day difference then I'll just hold out until I find one. If it's not, we could save a few bucks and/or get a lower mileage truck. Is there something else in the Off Road package besides the locker that we'd care about in the sand/desert?

Thanks for any advice you've got. We're brand new to the world of Tacoma and this site seems like a great resource.

 

There are many options in aftermarket lockers if you can’t find one with the oem locker. Personally, I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

+1

 

If you get a deal on a non trd offroad, take it. Like bebop stated, the aftermarket community is huge. Buy one and put a true trac or arb in it and call it a day.

 

Auto LSD works pretty well.
I have an 07 with no LSD. Only the locker.
So I’m on an open diff until locked. Basically I’m at a disadvantage unless locked or in 4WD.
09+ should have Auto LSD.

I don’t have much experience in sand. But I’ll say tires are going to be your biggest factor.

For what it’s worth, I rarely ever use my Locker.

 

If you need to ask, probably not

 

I need a locker, but you may or may not. It is exceedingly useful when it is needed. Works great on slippery boat ramps in particular.

 

Thats where a true trac come in, dont have turn it on or off it works all the time. Unlike most lsd its gears and doesnt need limited slip fluid. I just put one in the rear and an arb in the front

 

ARB AIR LOCKERS. Don't need to say anything else.

 

Yeah, my full size truck has a locking diff (automatic, not manual) so I'm not familiar with driving without one. Is it really expensive to add an ARB or something similar?

 

Around $1300 in parts.
Plus install unless you do it yourself.

Depending on who you ask.
The 8.4” gear in the non OR is stronger.
8.4”has stud guirdles where the OR 8.0” does not.

In all honesty, it doesn’t matter.
But I figured I’d give the Sport and SR5 an “advantage”

 

yes get a locker!

 

After doing more research and seeing how A-TRAC works, I'm going to stick it out until I find one with the Off Road package. Thanks for the input!

 

I have never had A-TRAC doing anything to help me get unstuck. I dont even use it anymore for anything.

That locker though, that bad boy just lets you do things.

 

Well, we'll have both I'm looking at a 2015 DCSB with the Off Road package and also a 2015 DCSB with the TRD Pro package.

 

Not needed...

I was in the same boat as you looking for a TRD OR. Ended up finding what I want in a sport. Added 5100 AAL and 884 setup with 265/70/17 BFG AT. The truck feels like it will go anywhere.

The reality is in 4wd H, the auto LSD function will engage, braking the spinning wheel. This is NOT a locker but it works very well at balancing power between both wheels on the axle. For hardcore rock crawling it helps, but nothing like a locker. For sand and dune driving it actually works really well.

My only complaint is the system is deactivated in 4x4 L, however the yellow wire mod will fix that. From what you described, I would just find the best deal based on other options. If you find an OR, great. If not, no worries.

 

Serious question from a guy who's never had a locker. Do people really need that in the sand??? I get why a locker would help on trails, but I'm not understanding how it would help in sand. I've never had a problem in Glamis, Pismo etc.. with 4x4 and aired down tires. Momentum is your friend.

 

I've had a locker help me in sand prior. It's easier otherwise for one of the wheels to go spinning and just not get any traction. I don't know how much it's needed, since other factors carry more weight in being effective.
Short answer, yes get a locker. However you don't necessarily need the TRD Off Road. When I was looking for my 2nd Gen, I didn't rule out getting a non-Off Road package. The ARB air locker is what I would've installed if no Off Road package. If you get a good deal on an SR5 and it's otherwise everything you're looking for in a truck, get it and install the air locker. Heck, you can install the front and rear air lockers while you're at it, if funds permit. Good luck on your search.

FWIW, I've also had ATRAC help me out, but it's not as good as having a locker of course.

 

Well, we picked up this truck over the weekend. 2015 DCSB TRD Off Road in Barcelona Red. Its in great condition overall. The tires in it looked cracked and a bit old, but the price was decent. I was uneducated on tire date codes. I've since researched it and discovered the tires have a date code of "3900", so they were made in 2000! I'm pretty pissed about that, so it's time to shop for tires. Anyway, thanks for all the input.

 

Good lookin truck. Congrats.

If that were my truck, I would put 265/75-16 tires on it.