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TRD OR Diff locker

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Snakedoctor, Oct 21, 2017.

  1. Oct 21, 2017 at 2:19 PM
    #1
    Snakedoctor

    Snakedoctor [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Taylor
    Land O Lakes, FL
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    Mandatory tint, in-channel visors, and 265/75R16 MT Toyos.
    I'm new to tacomas and I've never had a differential locker before and I've got some questions that I can't seem to find answers for.

    1st Is it usual to have to be in 4WD from a differential to be locked? I've always used 4wheel as my last option sometimes just having both tires going would solve a problem.

    2nd How long should it take to lock in the differential? I've tried moving back and forth a little bit just to get it to lock every now and again and so far I've only managed to lock it in twice. I've tried putting back in 2WD and then back in 4lo. Am I missing something here?
     
  2. Oct 21, 2017 at 2:46 PM
    #2
    eldedo

    eldedo voted most likely eaten by a bear

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    1. Diff locker is for those "occasions" where 4wd just won't get you out of a "situation" ie...being stuck
    2. Yes it sometimes takes multiple tries to get it to activate.
     
  3. Oct 21, 2017 at 2:57 PM
    #3
    Shellshock

    Shellshock King Shit of Turd Island

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    It’s typically easiest if you are turning slightly so it will align. Or if a wheel is slipping.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2017
    BlakeM likes this.
  4. Oct 21, 2017 at 3:12 PM
    #4
    JoeCOVA

    JoeCOVA Well-Known Member

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    1) Not necessarily. The Stock elocker from Toyota dictates that you be in 4lo to turn on the locker. Aftermarket lockers do not require it, you can be in 2wd with a locker or have a full time locker etc. The locker is really for situations where you lose a lot of traction, often due to suspension flex lifting a tire.

    2) Moving is required, sometimes takes a bit for everything to align.
     
    Marbleyard and cblow5 like this.
  5. Oct 21, 2017 at 7:55 PM
    #5
    cotaco05

    cotaco05 Well-Known Member

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    I believe you have to be moving slowly, or turning slightly, or have a wheel off the ground for the differential to lock. if I'm fully stopped, mine just flashes.
     
    Joe23 likes this.
  6. Oct 21, 2017 at 9:34 PM
    #6
    Diablo169

    Diablo169 ROKRAPR

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    I would exercise the on off function regularly. I was having issues with 4wd engaging when my truck was new. I just kept turning it on and off a few times a day, and now it works flawless.

    My rear Air Locker engages instantly :D
     
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  7. Oct 21, 2017 at 9:54 PM
    #7
    BlakeM

    BlakeM Well-Known Member

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    I've owned quite a few 4WD trucks. My Taco is the first one that's ever had a locker. Bought it 6 months ago and hadn't used the locker at all, then five times in two days. Twice to get through some mud and three times getting through deep sand. Holy shit, that was awesome. To feel like you're stuck, then voila, you're out. I know, I sound like a rookie, lol. It just amazed me.
    Anyway, two of those times were on an incline in the sand. I was having a little trouble trying to get it to engage. I cut my wheel and slowly started backing up and the locker engaged. Then I was able to climb up without a problem.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2017
  8. Oct 21, 2017 at 11:05 PM
    #8
    deanf

    deanf Well-Known Member

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    Why? Afraid you're going to wear it out?

    I've never understood the mindset "I'll only turn it on when I really need it" - by then it's usually too late.
     
    Joe23 and Rsamani like this.
  9. Oct 22, 2017 at 8:17 AM
    #9
    pra4sno

    pra4sno Well-Known Member

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    There is a good tutorial in the owners manual about locker use as well as maintenance.
     
  10. Oct 22, 2017 at 8:29 AM
    #10
    TOMRR

    TOMRR Well-Known Member

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    I take mine this summer and once a week on a dirt back road I lock my 4lo and rear diff lock in and drive about a 1/4 mile at about 10 mph. I then back up about 50 yards and drive forward a few feet and it all ways turns right off. To turn on I drive forward about 3 feet and back up 3 feet and it pops right in.
    I thinking the more you exercise it the better it will kick in and out. Just My Two Cents13082622_993261327406308_8463582324423856890_n.jpg
     
    robssol likes this.
  11. Oct 22, 2017 at 8:30 AM
    #11
    Joe23

    Joe23 Canuckistikian

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    I'm with you. I usually have it on. Even if a trail is easy and ca be done in 2hi or 4hi I'm always in 4lo.
    To me its just better if say something changes in terrain or you pick the wrong line by accident and get stuck its already on ready to go.
    There's been two times now I stayed in 2hi and got stuck. One of which was harsh as shit to get into 4lo and had a huge clunk into gear cause it said it was engaged but jst barely. So when I started giving it throttle to get going it banged in hard.

    Other time my rear wheels got bogged, and I couldn't get the transfercase to line up and get into 4hi which would've been all I needed to get out. Instead had to run over a bunch of small trees and bushes going off trail cause I could only get traction to go forward and not back (was turning around on trail cause we took a wrong turn)
     
  12. Oct 22, 2017 at 10:19 AM
    #12
    cotaco05

    cotaco05 Well-Known Member

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    I'm with you on that. I always at least have 4hi engaged when I'm on anything more than a dirt road, and for the same reasons. Having it ready before you need it tends to keep you from getting stuck.
     
  13. Oct 22, 2017 at 6:42 PM
    #13
    sxe4533

    sxe4533 Well-Known Member

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    I'm at 50k now and so far if tried to engage the locker about 7 times in which I was not seccecfull not once! I never tried it on pavement always gravel roads or a bit of mud! I get in 4 lo I drive a bit the put it in neutral push the button wait about a minute nothing happens light still flashing! The light may go solid for a second then flashes again I go forward reverse park drive a bit nothing! If i try to go back to 4hi the truck start evening at me! The only way to stop it is the shut it off the back on still in 4 lo but no flashing light now I can go back to 4hi then 2wd
     
  14. Oct 23, 2017 at 12:39 AM
    #14
    shackley

    shackley Well-Known Member

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    Also takes care of the monthly engagement recommended.
     
    cotaco05[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Oct 23, 2017 at 12:43 AM
    #15
    Snakedoctor

    Snakedoctor [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Mandatory tint, in-channel visors, and 265/75R16 MT Toyos.
    That's just the way the people I was around did things. We'd go out in 2wd and unless we knew it was real bad then it'd be 4wheel.

    Mainly my thought on not in 4WD is such times when you're crawling around woods. I had my tires slipping because of a tree trunk that I was trying to cautiously go over, having the rear locked would've worked without 4WD. I guess to me it's like light tackle fishing, sure I could use the best all the time but it takes the fun out sometimes.

    I wish I could be in a situation to use it very often. Other than pavement I don't know of any place near me yet to go out.
     
  16. Oct 23, 2017 at 8:24 PM
    #16
    shackley

    shackley Well-Known Member

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    It is easy in NM. Fifth largest state with only 2 million people and gobs of federal land.
     
  17. Oct 23, 2017 at 11:07 PM
    #17
    Snakedoctor

    Snakedoctor [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Mandatory tint, in-channel visors, and 265/75R16 MT Toyos.
    I've often dreamed about Wyoming due to its size and the population only has 1 comma in the number. I'm in FL and every inch of land is either private or owned by the state for something.

    I don't even really wanna go through mud and all that just like some trails that you couldn't take a car on, and maybe do a little shooting if it's secluded enough lol
     
  18. Oct 24, 2017 at 6:43 AM
    #18
    JoeCOVA

    JoeCOVA Well-Known Member

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    Wyoming is pretty lame until you hit the northwest. Otherwise it's like Kansas with open barren land through most of the state.
     

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