How to test limited slip (mechanical) on my 2006 Tacoma

I want to test the limited slip on my truck. I know it's mechanical (2005-2008). I have 138k miles and always change the diff oil ontime. Trying to figure out if it's still working good or if i should look at upgrading my traction to a Truetrac limited slip or a real selectable locker.

It's a prerunner so I want to gain traction however I can. Plan to do some mountain camping this summer. I know it's worked in the past but I haven't been on any difficult trails in the past year.

I have tools and a few tall floor jacks to test in my driveway if possible. Thanks!

 

I could be mistaken but my understanding is that if it is mechanical it should always work unless something broke in which you would likely have other issues. Maybe someone else can correct me to know for sure.

 

i've read on this website that it's a clutch pack style limited slip and they do indeed wear out with miles. the true trac from detroit, which I kind of want to get, does not wear out since it's a different style.

 

Makes sense. I guess best way would be to try and jack up one side until it is off the ground and try moving. You don't want to go too far off the ground though because if it is working properly you will roll the truck off the jack.

 

I thought that's how a locker works, but a limited slip needs the wheels to be moving. But I will try that and see what happens

 

It's the same idea. The limited slip engages when it detects slip. One is just physically locked and the other is engaged in a different manner.

 

Ok cool

 

The clutch pack limited slip in the equipped 05-08 Tacoma's has a new from the factory difference of rotational force of 150ftlbs. That is to say it takes 150ftlbs of difference between the two tires rotationally for them to spin at a different rate.

Test should be pretty simply. Jack the ass end of the the truck up properly (chock front wheels on both sides ) and leave the truck in gear or in park without the parking brake on. If the clutchs pack are worn it would be easy to spin one tire and have the other spin the opposite way (diff will be held from rotating via park / in gear)

 

I suggest going with the truetrac, but I'm biased. Eventually the clutch pack is going to wear out anyway. I think the clutch pack LSD on my truck wore at around 180k-200k. I never did the test, but I was losing traction going up hills and I noticed more wheel spin.

The only time the truetrac failed to get me over an obstacle was going up on Diablo Drop-off in Anza Borrego. It was deeply rutted and sandy. Two older 4x4 jeeps behind me struggled too and had to get winched up. Vehicles with lockers got up fine. With the truetrac I was able to go over Mengel pass in Death Valley and Laurel Lakes near Mammoth. I'm happy with it.

If you get the truetrac, I recommend getting your rear brakes resurfaced(turned), new shoes/linings, and adjusted.

 

Wow super easy test. Will give it a go in the next few days

 

I've heard that same thing from many people on this forum and a few others. And the price is pretty good compared to a locker. Laurel Lakes and mengal are both places I want to try with a group. Thanks for the tip about the brakes too

 

Another way to test the lsd is to just hold the brakes, and stomp on the gas. Light em up!
Rip a burnout, lay a strip!
If you have 2 skid marks, your lsd works. If you have 1 strip, you have an open diff.

 

Hell yeah!

 

ARB Air Locker
Regear

 

It's a thought. A very expensive thought for my prerunner

 

My 2006 limited slip (mechanical clutch pack) was tired and would start digging a hole with one tire and no (or low) push from the other on challenging loose uphill surfaces.

I replaced it with a TruTrac and couldn’t be happier. It works great, is seamless and constantly available. My opinion is much more beneficial in the real world.

 

Wow another vote for truetrac. Seems to be a great option for prerunners. Thanks for the information it's number one on my list.

 

Is this the same as the 3rd gens Auto LSD? I forget the 2nd Gen Non off roads have the same thing with traction control off. I was looking into a truetrac, thats why i hopped on this thread. Will the Auto LSD need to be disabled if you install the truetrac, like when you turn traction control off? I'm only considering it because i figured it was a good option rather than air locker/e locker when i replace my rear gearing.

 

The auto LSD uses braking to simulate an LSD differential, so I would think the auto LSD would help the truetrac find traction in some situations by slowing the wheel spin. For example, and I'm probably not explaining this well, when one rear tire is in the air the truetrac will act like an open diff, but when you apply your brakes to slow the wheel spin on the tire in the air it will "lock up" and send power to the wheel on the ground. FYI...If your ABS systems dislikes the action going on in the rear differential, the ABS light will come on and in my case the ABS light disables traction control, VSC, auto LSD(if equipped). I don't have auto LSD on my truck(2008), but I'm sure others with the auto LSD and truetrac can chime in and offer their experiences.

This is best video on youtube explaining the various differentials and how they work minus the auto lsd.

 

Jack it up (both wheels from the diff) turn one rear wheel if it is an open diff the other side will turn the opposite direction. If it's limited slip they will turn the same way.