Tacoma vs ZR2 - Do we need a front locker?

Need? No. I wish it was an option, but I could add one if I really wanted it. ATRAC has done me just fine .

 

Try driving a 4x4 with spools front and rear !!!

 

Had one installed. Locker use is seldom, but it's nice to have if needed. I use the compressor I installed with it all the time.

 

Not really. I’m kinda glad I don’t have that option. Based on my observation, Front-locked IFS breaks parts on the trails and then you’re stuffed. I’d rather have some controlled slippage in MTS to keep things a little mellow on the front end so I’m not walking home, or limping out in 2WD.

Having said that, GM does seem to have designed a robust front drivetrain on the ZR2 as the various cone-heads running them around MOAB locked/locked don’t seem to be breaking them.

 

Might as well just buy a SxS.

 

I disagree with several of the posts here.

Granted, I have a ‘93 YJ and still keeping it!

There have been COUNTLESS times where the front locker was crucial.

New to Tacos with the longer wheelbase but to each his/her own.

 

It was only crucial because that era of jeeps didn’t have modern traction control systems like MTS / ATRAC / Crawl Control. Without your locker, you just had a loose front diff.

 

Yes while I would agree with you at some point.

Many of us, myself included, wheel w/o an automatic.

And as far as a “loose diff” I would love to know what that means...

 

This is TW, not a crawling forum. Most of the folks here don't even drive on "trails" that require 4x4 so it's impossible for them to imagine a circumstance where a front locker could be useful. Most of the rest are under the illusion that front lockers and/or 35s will break CVs..... Nope..... shitty throttle control breaks CVs.

But yeah, welcome to the world of long wheel bases, where you watch others with SWB crawl up a ledge with a dip at the top no problem and you high center as soon as you can crest the top among many other long wheel base quirks .

I doubt Toyota will ever offer a front locker, too many people wouldn't know how to use them and fuck up the front drive train & CVs and cry about warranty claims.

 

No Toyota won’t offer a front locker.

However, some of us will be crawling with our Tacos!

I will be installing one once I get into a situation that it is needed.

 

I would never use it around my parts, does great on the beach, dirt roads and have yet to be in the snow. I'm not one to take my vehicles off roading like the video. It looks fun but only in someone's truck, not mine. I prefer a garage queen/mall crawler. I like the truck but don't use it as a truck.

 

Rear locker works great for the boat ramps, that's really all I've needed.

4X4 and Crawl control have been sufficient for the other stuff in the Appalacian mountains and beaches in the Outer Banks.

My truck isnt outfitted nor do I need it to be a rock crawler.

 

I think the consensus including myself is most would pay and get it if it was a factory option but most won't end up installing an aftermarket one. That vid was a good comparison

 

This member did that test, the truck moves forward.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-sr5-4x4-has-limited-slip-in-4wd-and-both-axles.599701/

Obviously lockers are better in that they arent just reacting to wheel slip and distribute power more effectively. But the computer using the brakes for traction is damn good for what it is.

 

The Tacoma looks like has the stock good yesar tires vs the zr2s has duratracs. That makes a big difference.

IMO the Tacoma owner from this video needs to upgrade his tires that will make better grip

 

Front locker really means nothing to me, probably should be a option in the Tacoma for those that need/want.

But if Chevrolet puts a V8 in that truck I’m trading in my Tacoma.

 

By loose diff, I just mean fully open, with no LSD or traction aids. Hopefully it isn’t actually “loose”. You can borrow my torque wrench if it is!

 

If it came with the option for one I'd have spec'd it, but I've never gone anywhere ATRAC hasn't saved me on rocks or my tires didn't doom me in the mud anyway. I rarely use my rear even and that's the really useful one. I'll probably leave the front as-is til I get stuck somewhere a front locker would save me, then consider it briefly until the next stick.

 

There's no doubt, if you need em, front lockers will help. I rarely need the rear, but sprung for it, for just in case. Well, I haven't taken my Tacoma off road yet, I'm only on the 3rd tank of gas. But, for the type of off roading I did, I never needed the lockers, front or rear, in my JK Rubicon. It's all about the type of terrain and trails ones doing.
Was anyone in that video aired down? I went back and watched just a minute, and the Tacoma going up that first hill looks like he's on street pressures