Nead more traction, lsd or locking diff options

Hello and thanks for viewing. This is my first post, I signed up just for this question. I’ve tried searching but get confused cause of all the different versions and trims so decided to make a thread specific to my vehicle.

It’s a 1998 Tacoma 2.4 liter 2wd 5 lug 5 speed

My uncle bought it new in 98 and gave it to me a few years ago. It has 297000 miles and has never given me or him a problem. I love the truck and don’t want to get rid of it. I use it for work and occasionally to pull my jetski but that’s where my problem is. I have brand new tires and have lots of trouble getting traction at the boat ramp.

I want to install either an lsd or a locking differential.

My question is what are my options for both? I’ve seen lots of threads related to 4wd or other generations but not the 2.4 2wd. Are there aftermarket locking diffs available for this truck? Are there oem diffs that I can swap? I want the cheapest solution posible to get more traction please.

Thanks

 

Welcome to TW.

There are several options to solve this problem. Air locker, electric locker or mechanical locker. I'm also sure a drive-line shop can also put a limited slip in. The cheapest solution may be first trying 200-300lbs to the bed of the truck, in the form of sand bags, on days you plan on using the boat ramp. Both air lockers and electric lockers are relatively expensive (>$1000 when all said and done), but can be turned on and off. A mechanical locker are usually much cheaper and may suit you and your purpose, but they can take some getting used to when driving around town or parking lots. I had one in an old ranger and it wasn't a big deal, just no fast cornering on pavement.

Like I said before, you may want to just add some weight to start. Seems like it might be a quick fix and even with a locker you may need some weight in the rear. Weight tires with a light truck and boat ramp slime = poor traction.

You can also weld the rear diff...

 

Cheapest solution: weld your third member.

 

best and cheapest option is to look in junkyards for a complete rear axle from a 1st gen prerunner with lsd installed. But then you have to bear in mind that you will be 5 lug up front and 6 in the rear. Other good choice is to look for a for explorer rear end with a locker, you will need extended brake lines and other shit but it'll work and you retain 5 lugs in the rear. Either way, Me personally I'd find one or the other and just pay someone to install it. I've read they are a PITA to complete. Be wary, most members in here will start bashing the 5 lug and tell u to just buy something different. Just keep at it and it'll be a great truck


EDit: or weld as others have mentioned.... I'm just referring to actually obtaining a lsd or locker

 

Best option to make a 2wd 5-lug get more traction is to sell it and buy a 4x4.

 

I see the joke here, but regardless the response is always the same. people ask about " Lift options ", "bigger tires", "suspension options" , etc. Installing lsd just falls in line, and the response is always "if you wanted to do anything but stay on the road only then you need to sell the 5 lug and buy a 4x4. lmao

 

Also keep in mind with an axle swap you're spring under right now and most other axles will be spring over axle.

 

Thanks for the reply’s.

Welding the diff is out of the question, I still daily drive this truck everywhere.

Someone mentioned lockers being expensive (> $1000) is that for parts and labor? I’m very mechanically inclined and will be installing it myself. Where can I buy an e locker that will fit my axel?
You mentioned mechanical lockers being cheaper. Where can I buy one for my axel also?

Will an lsd be cheaper? Who sells one that fits my axel?

I don’t mind having 6 lug axel on the back if it’s cheap. How much do the prerunner axles go for? Is it a simple swap? What needs to be done?

Thanks

 

For the axle swap you'd have to convert the axle to spring under as all the 6lugs are spring over. So rewelding the spring perches to the bottom of the axle. And I'm not sure if the connection on the axle is same so you may need an adapter or custom driveshaft

 

Ok thanks, I think I’d rather install a locker or lsd instead of the axle swap then.

Can someone post links of lockers or lsd’s that would fit my axel please

Thanks again

 

You're going to have to research what rear end you have and look at lunch box lockers most likely.

 

https://www.yotashop.com/spartan-lo...MLma9gIoT8nMZUSpKHXyH5Qhp2ZVdZ8UaApp-EALw_wcB

 

https://www.yotashop.com/spartan-lo...MItZDwx9KP5QIVDXiGCh2DxwAFEAQYAiABEgJsTvD_BwE

Assuming this fits my axel, does this act like an lsd or will it always be locked?

 

From what you are saying about intended use, I'd avoid a clutchpack or sandwich-plate style LSD. These are always 'locked' to a certain extent and will be 'fun' in the snow going around corners. They are also pretty miserable for daily driver applications. Chattering and backfeeding in parking lot and tight turn situations. I'd look into sandbags first, and if you still need moar traction, if it were me, I'd be looking into a helical gear style LSD like a Quaife. Which, in the truck world appears to be the good old Detroit TruTrac. This style still uses helical gears to allow independent rotation of either wheel, but when one starts to slip it transfers torque to the opposite wheel. The sole drawback to this style of LSD is that if there is no load on one wheel (1 wheel completely off the ground) the differential acts like a regular open diff. But for your boat ramp scenario it would be perfect. I think they are around 6-700 bucks.

 

I think this is the one that fits our 5 lug 7.5" diff. I haven't done much research because I am nowhere near needing one at this point but this may be a good starting point.

http://www.drivetrainshop.com/Detroit_TrueTrac_p/eat-911a342.htm

 

500 bones for the locker alone fak that. I'm def gonna stick to ripping an axle off a 6 lug first gen, or old explorer with built in lockers from a junkyard for when I do re-gear and locker. Thanks for that link though, super helpful

 

Doing that could end up costing a bit.
Refer to post #9

 

can you bolt in a 6 lug axle (edit: other than modify spring perches) or explorer axle without having to modify your driveshaft?

Cost of new axle plus cost of modifying driveshaft may be more than buying the locker and installing it yourself.

 

Can someone confirm this fits? If it does, seams to me like a no brainer. I think it’s for a front axle though

 

No drive shaft modifying needed with the ford rearend

https://toyotaminis.com/forum/threads/ford-8-8-install.5308/

At work rn but I'll try to find some more info and pop back in

EDIT: more links

https://www.customtacos.com/forum/1443992-post55.html
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/8-8-swap.499471/