Rear Diff Upgrade Question

From reading other posts, it seems you couldn't get the factory limited-slip differential with the 2.7L engine (2005+ Tacomas). You had to get the V6 and add-on SR5/TRD. I have the 2.7L, but I'd like to have a limited slip on my truck's rear end.

I haven't heard much about 4cyl guys doing aftermarket diff swaps. So, a couple of questions:

1. Has anyone done this?

2. We have the 8.4" rear end, right?

3. What do you think of this diff?

http://www.drivetrainspecialists.com/categories/trutrac/products/product-5410.html

Mainly I'm looking for a diff that will hold-up to a little snowplowing and off-roading, but will have decent street manners.

Thanks,
Dave

 

i think i'll be ordering one of those. thanks.

 

New Mexico Taco: I think you're right with respect to the '08s. I have an '05 and I couldn't find a 2.7L with a limited slip. My method was to look for the "LSD Oil Only" sticker on the underside of all the Tacomas on a given dealer's lot. My informal survey at the time, based upon the underside of ~50 trucks, indicated that you had to get the V6 with SR5/TRD.

But glad to see that Toyota is giving us more options now.

 

I have a limited slip diff. I would like a diff locker though.

 

ARB makes the air locker:
http://www.arbusa.com/Products/Air-Lockers/10.aspx

 

Also I think the Dana LSD is a mechanical unit where as the Toyota unit uses clutch discs. I would prefer a mechanical unit over a clutch based unit any day.

 

Big Red Toy: I figure I'll go with the Dana mechanical LSD since the clutch packs in others tend to wear out over ~50-100k mi, slowly turning into an open diff

NM Taco: Easy way to tell if you have a rear LSD. Get on some smooth pavement. Stop the truck. Floor it. Look back. If you see two black tire marks back there, you probably have LSD. To make sure, try it again a few more times.

Easier method: get under the truck and look for the "LSD Oil" sticker on your rear diff. They put one there so the guys at Jiffy Lube know that you need gear oil with a non-slip additive.

 

Jack the rear end up off the ground with the truck in neutral. Be sure to block your front wheels for safety and what not. Rotate either wheel forward. If the opposing wheel turns in the opposite direction you have an open differential. If the wheel on the other side turns in the same direction you have a mechanical LSD.

 

Thats really strange, I have never seen such a thing. It goes against the principle of how an open diff works, although, I am not saying it didn't happen because you witnessed it yourself. Maybe there was some trash caught up in the spider gears??

Did you have the parking break engaged? If so this would be the cause of only one wheel spinning.

If all else fails, the idea Chris mentioned of checking out the sticker above your fill plug would be a good indication of whether or not you have an LSD.

 

Not sure why your wanting to upgrade your diff.. Stock diff should be fine for what you're wanting to do.

 

Was that to the OP?? Cause an open diff like he said he has is totally useable for offroad and snow- but the LSD would be much better and a locker might be even better depending on how much and where he is going offroad and plowing...

 

Hey VTDave how did that diff work out I may do just the same thing on my 2009 Tacoma.

 

The True Trac arrives at my house on Wednesday. It goes in this weekend.

For the poster who asked why I'm bothering to get one: my driveway is hardpack (dirt/gravel) with some switchbacks and a 17% grade. I'd like to get up in 2WD without tons of wheelspin. Also, for plowing on slippery surfaces, it's nice to have both wheels in back hook-up consistently.

I'd like to go the air locker route, but that's some serious $$$.

 

It is so hard to stop. Put it in 4wd and start driving.. My vote is for the ARB! : )

 

where did you find the best price for your new diff????

 

I stuck with drivetrainspecialists.com since they patiently answered all my questions and didn't hose me on shipping. Yeah, you could do better on Ebay or Yotatech classifieds, but I decided to give the sale to the people who took the time to tell me everything I needed to know...