Proper Use of Locker

Thank you Mr. Crom for prompting me to write this.

Just had a GREAT DAY wheeling up Dishpan Springs (with great ease up the steepest climb up the right side of the waterfall for those that have done this run...) and an effortless ride up Gold Mountain (both in the Lake Arrowhead/Big Bear area in CA).

Just prior to going on this run Crom emailed me regarding if I was locked when I blew my 3.73 ring and pinion - Note: I was running 33's and going up a good climb in Hammers.

My biggest mistake on that trip was FAILING to understand how good ATRAC is and how it probably could have saved my ass end. ATRAC is very good if you don't mind all the wacky sounds of the system working! You could probably get away without a locker in many situations.

If YOU HAVE ATRAC
Learn how to use it - from my estimation it will put less strain than a locker. (if it helps qualify me - I have a Mech/Aero Engr degree and have worked in Aerospace Manufacturing and Product Design and was a Technician and Test Driver for GM Desert Proving Grounds and have worked extensively in my families auto/heavy truck repair).

Lockers
Lockers are the best tool someone can have on the trail next to airing down (and experience - which I have minimum) in helping you finish a tough trail. The real issue is to know how to use them as little as possible since they can place a lot of strain on your drive-train when you have traction at both wheels like on rough granite. - Plus they make it harder to turn - turning's a good thing when you are trying to slither through a tough trail. Another thing - be careful when you are turning full lock - Our CV's may be designed for this range of turning but it will also add to the strain on the system!

Be safe out there and LONG LIVE THE LOCKER!!! - Just know how to use it and limits use only enough to get past your stuckness!

Edit: I was fine with blowing my rear since I was able to have a very good excuse to re-gear to 4.56s which are far more appropriate for running 33s.

 

Sweet...

All of the praise we have made of A-TRAC is not meant to put down lockers... specially the Toyota RR Locker. The locker is the 'emergency' tool to get unstuck per Totota manual. A-TRAC is the traction tool to keep moving and has no 'emergency use only' warnings from Toyota. A-TRAC is NOT lockers, but will give you the effect of having front and rear lockers by driving the tires with traction instead of tires with none.

 

this is why i had my whole front end rebuilt so i dont have to worry about the strain, i leave my front hubs locked all the time when im out in the mud or trails playing, and with the detroit lockers in the rear with 4.88's i dont have to worry about getting stuck lol

 

And back East that would be fine (even though you are placing plenty of strain on your truck, you have some components designed for higher strain).

On rough granite I do like being able to be open-open and quick turning when I can and lock up as I need it!

 

I am thinking he is talking about 'manual hubs' being left in the locked possition... (That is not the same as a 'locked' front differential). 'Hubs' on part time 4WD vehicles free up the front drive parts from wearing and dragging for better life and mileage. Our (newer) Tacomas have automatic locking hubs vs. the manual ones you rotate on each axle.

 

yea i have the manual locking hubs in the front, less electrical things work better for me, less that can mess up, i like having control of what i want. I leave mine locked when im on a trail or in the mud,but i use 2wd all the time, only when i get in some trouble do i put it in 4wd.

 

I understand and that is perfectly normal (to leave hubs locked when you are on the trail)... However, I personally like to go into 4WD when I am off pavement to lube the parts as Toyota recommends, but more so to have a better driving experience and to prevent road damage.

Spinning rear tires is what makes dirt roads deteriorate... and while I love bad roads, no reason to wear my truck or my tires more than necessary. I mean we paid more to have 4WD, so let's use 4WD!

At speed on graded/ washboard roads, being in 4WD is lot more secure and stable. If I drive 50 mph in 2WD on a graded road I can feel the truck drift and I am constantly correct steering (my '01 and '05 without VSC). As soon as I put it in 4WD, the truck smoothes out and thinks it is an Audi Quattro or Subaru WRX on a ralley course! Those cars use 4WD for stability and control, not for traction so much... and so can a Tacoma.

 

yea thats how it is supposed to be used lol, but i love you drift around corners and spin the truck around, and here in florida we have alot of sand trails that you just rip down doing 60mph or so, so i just mostly use 2wd but i do use 4wd. Different terrain is the biggest factor.

 

I love the sand... one thing, if you do get stuck, digging is easy and you stay clean... unlike mud!

 

this is true, i love cleaning my truck after playin in the sand, but hate it after being in the mud haha

 

Thought you guys may want to hear what Bill Burke has to say about this subject...

(see this and more on his facebook page... )

 

Fantastic... thank you for posting this!

 

Thank Bill Burke (on his Facebook page)

 

thank you Paul you the man .

 

I use my A-Trac almost every single time I take my truck on trails, it plain works. If Toyota gave us the tool I am going to use it. The locker is my oh-shit button, I have used it climbing steep hills with loose rock and gravel and in deep mud where I lost traction and it works great, especially on the loose climbs. Mud I have found some modulated skinny pedal is a good idea but not too much, hence the locker is disengaged. I love the A-Trac function and downhill assist they work great but make a shit ton of noise. Lockers are still somewhat misunderstood as far as use, crawling up a steep, tight hill with trees i decide to turn it off due to the tight turns.