Locking rear diff without trd package

Hi everyone. I just bought a '99 tacoma 4x4. Its the extended cab 5 speed, sr5 model with the v6. I noticed it has the rr differential lock button on it even though it doesnt have a trd package. Does that mean my truck has the locking rear differential? Im having a hard time finding any information on this subject.

 

Sr5 with locker
Maybe someone put it in.
But think you have an off-road and someone listed it as sr5.

Welcome to T.World!
Have your tried the locker?

 

Easy way to check is look at the rear diff and see if the actuator is hanging off it.

If it's aftermarket then there will be tubing or wires going into the diff depending on if it's pneumatic or electric.


If you can't tell then turn it on and take a sharp turn and if the inside tire starts chirping... then you got one!

 

Check the vin .. maybe it's a trd and someone took the stickers off. Do you have yellow shocks?

 

I havnt been able to go anywhere to check if the diff works on it yet. I do notice the light for it on my dash light up though when i first start the engine. Heres a pic of the truck.

 

Look like your truck is repainted. Possible they removed the trd sticker.

Look for this on your rear axle



Keep in mind, your rr diff lock will only engage in 4lo, not 4hi unless previous owner did the grey wire mod. RR diff must be solid red, not flashing red when engaged.

 

Yep, you have a TRD Off Road, someone just removed the stickers There are a lot of trucks like that, and also a lot with the stickers that aren't actually trd off road's

 

I saw a Prius with one.

 

Gotta look at the diff as someone mentioned above to check if there is an acuator (e-locker) or other connections for aftermarket.

 

The rear locking differential was an add on option with out having the TRD package. Most people are not aware of this. I know for sure it was a $500 option from 2001-2004 on V6 models only. Im not sure about previous years. When I was a member on the TTORA boards back around 2002 this was heavily discussed.

Here is the brochure from a 2002 model like I had. If you look on page 4 you will find the locking rear differential option. http://www.russauto.com/ncinv/modelinfo/brochures/02Tacoma.pdf

 

Considering the cost to buy an electronic locker and then having it installed... $500 seems like a steal.

 

I have 2 lol

 

as far as i know this was an option for earlier years too but rare.

 

Must have been. While my 97 does not have the locker, when doing some work on the cluster I noticed it does have the light in the dash for the rear locker.

 

That's a nice little surpise! If you haven't had a Toyota elocker before heres some tips if it doesn't wanna engage/disengage right away. When you turn it on if it keeps blinking try driving in a slow sepentine pattern until you hear a loud click noise, then it will be engaged. When disenging, try the same thing if it doesn't go off right away, you'll hear a big clunk once it is free.

 

You state it doesn't have the TRD package, but how do you *really* know that?

Check your VIN here to see if it's actually a TRD, just without the stickers. The other possibility is that you just have an aftermarket locker (pics will help us see if that's the case).

I'm willing to bet, though, it's just a TRD without the stickers, and the seller had no idea what they had. If that's the case, you SCORED a TRD for an SR5 price! Good job!!

 

Thanks for all the info. Ill take more pics and check the vin when i get off work. Looks like i scored a killer deal

 

Yes it does

 

Heres some pics and im looking up the vin right now. The last pic is of the rr diff lock button.

 

Ok so i checked out the vin using the recommended site (thank you jbrandt) i dont see anything about a trd package or the differential so im still lost.