Heading to Florida in January to buy another 1st Gen

At the end of 2015 I picked up my 1999 Tacoma near Englewood and thanks to all the help I received from members of this forum I successfully tuned it up and then drove it home to Maine. Well, I'm heading to Florida with my family to visit my sisters, mom, brothers in law, and step dad. My wife is leaving after about a week and I am going to buy another Tacoma and drive it to Maine with my son like we did in 2015. This time it is for a friend who is driving around in an uninspectable S10 2 wheel drive extra cab. Florida is apparently awash in Prerunners whereas 4x4 Tacomas are considerably harder to find. My friend is on a budget and given that she has made the 2 wheel drive S10 work I'm thinking a Prerunner with rear differential locker is going to be a big step up. She puts on some miles and drives in all sorts of weather. I have not done the grey wire mod yet to my truck so I have no experience driving my truck with the rear differential locked other than just playing around with it in 4 wheel low.

Here are my questions for you all: How useful is the rear differential lock compared to 4x4 especially in snow? What is the typical value difference between similarly equipped and comparable condition Prerunners and 4x4's with rear differential lockers in snow free states like Florida?

Thanks!

 

Howdy, nice story about buying a rust free truck. That is how I am going to try to get all my vehicles from now on. I got my Taco in SC and it worked out real well. (live in MA) Remember Fluid Film Saves 'em..... Anyway this is the first truck I have had with a rear diff. locker. (2004 TRD) Huge difference in snow... I have gotten stuck with all 4 wheels spining in deep snow and push that diff locker button and it usually powers you out of anything. I will always try to have a vehicle with diff locker now. Even want to put a diff locker on the front of my 4wd ATV. Can't comment on the value/cost of that option, but In my opinion a huge and important feature in snow climates..

 

I'm a huge Fluid Film fan. I'm actually bringing my applicator setup to Florida so I can film the truck before driving it North. Thanks for the rear diff lock feedback!

 

The difference between a peerunner with e lock and a 4x4 truck, the 4x4 will out perform the e locked peerunner hands down. Having the front wheels pulling is all the difference my man! Also if not used to running rear wheel drive with the diff locked on super slick conditions, it can be a lil squirrelly! Need to really pay attention to your handling and not power through turns without care, that rear end will.whip around on you so.fast!