Project "I'm in over my head"

OP's truck is a '96

Also I don't think the TRD package with e-locker came around until 97 or maybe 98, but I've heard that the e-locker was a rare option even before the TRD package so maybe that's what you've got?

 

Oops I meant pre 2000's.

Now that I look at the relay, it doesn't look really professionally done. I doubt it's for an elocker. It could be for some removed aftermarket lights or alarm or something another.

 

Yeah I'm going to track down where it goes tm. I hate stray wires everywhere

 

I know man I was more surprised by the fact everything works (minus the mirrors).

 

What's up with the locker lol I'm dying to see if you got the rare early locker

 

I'm working a 16 hour shift so I just facetimed my wife and walked her through what I need pictures of...this should be interesting

 

@3rYODA so how would I be able to tell just by looking at it?

 

I read that the trucks with factory lockers had an 8" rear differential instead of the standard 8.4. I doubt it's factory though

 

Yeah the guy I bought it from said it has a "rachet locker" which I'm not familiar with. I've had several tacos with elockers but never anything aftermarket. And the dude I got it from is super sketchy. Anytime I've texted him with a question since I've bought it he doesn't respond lol.

 

Hmm ratchet locker?! Lol I hope you got it for a good price

 

Sounds like the guy I bought my civic from haha. He didn't even have his license and the car was registered in his "son in law's" name and was open when I got it. Car was in terrible shape too. Does the locker work? And stay out of the fires out there, we finally got rain today and helped them out a lot around here.

 

Ratchet locker? Like a full-time lunchbox locker?

 

Yeah you never know who you're gonna meet when you buy stuff off Craigslist. And yeah man it rained quite a bit here but apparently it doesn't seem to be helping the fires. Me and my wife had just started looking at rental cabins to buy in the gatlinburg area that's on fire

 

i guess so. It's got a different feel to it. I let my buddy drive it the other day and he said it felt like it was in 4wd (obviously it wasn't). How hard would it be to check out what I have?

 

A ratchet locker would be a lunchbox (powertrax, spartan, aussie,etc) or Detroit locker.

Jack rear wheels off ground. in neutral hold onto one wheel and spin the other. it will allow that wheel to spin without the driveshaft spinning. youl get a "ratcheting" click click click sound while doing that.

 

Will do man thanks for the advice

 

Sure sounds like a lunchbox locker. It is a budget locker option that can produce unpredictable results in slippery terrain. But they work fine offroad as long as you don't push them hard, if you do (which is easy with 35s) they have a tendency to strip or explode and then you need to replace them. Great option for the light user that doesn't see much snow and ice. Detroit lockers are the only lunchbox style locker that isn't fundamentally weak.

 

@Speedytech7 so for a daily driver would you recommend getting rid of it?

 

Daily my no-slip for years. its basically undetectable after you get used to driving with it.

Its not worse in slippery conditions than a clutch type or alot of other lsds. because there isnt enough traction to "overtorque" the lsd both tires end up spinning at the same speed anyways.

Edit: the no-slip does happen to be the most street friendly lunchbox locker and is a little more suited for a daily than others.

 

I'd say for a daily driver I would have never put it in... but seeing as how you have it already I would just leave it alone and be wary that in snowy or icy conditions you could occasionally have dangerous rear end behavior as it will lock and unlock at strange times.