What's the big deal with the rear e locker

There's plenty just googling it

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/grey-wire-mod.4405/

 

Thanks, I searched and couple the links I found was "paged has moved" or 'Pictures unavailable'.

 

It's better than a Type R sticker or a CAI.

 

My nearly 20 year old truck has the locker. I never give this any thought but I have to ask-is it bad that I literally have only engaged the locker one single time just to see what it felt like? I did it when the truck was only a year old in gravel. I haven't touched that switch since. Should I be working the locker every once in a while to keep it viable? I know it's kind of a dumb question after having neglected it for almost two decades but this thread got me curious.

 

I would, and do. I have seen them seize up. It's recommended that you engage the 4WD every now and then as well. Say what you will about it. But it makes sense. I try to get several miles in 4WD and I'll engage the locker about once a month. I do it on pavement but only going straight. I NEVER turn. If you have dirt roads I'd recommend that. I live in DFW so dirt is a hard thing to find.

 

I recall that even in that loose gravel, I engaged it and then hit a little gas as I just slightly turned, and I wasn't thrilled with the awful sounds it made like a stick was caught up in the gears or something. Even the rear end bucked a little. Was that normal? Anyway, I think I need to give this thing a try soon as I have the truck out now.

 

As long as you are on loose terrain you'll be ok. Dirt, gravel, sand. The tighter you turn, the bigger the difference in wheel speeds at the corners, the more slipping you will notice (or binding on pavement). I try to avoid really tight turns in 4WD unless in mud and sand. But generally speaking if you have a way for the wheels to spin and unload the drivetrain, you'll be ok. Just don't test the steering radius.

Edit: Watch that video. But yes try to exercise your transfer case and locker.

 

Had to throw my 2 cents in here.
1. E locker is the coolest option on my truck. It gets you unstuck when all 4 wheels are spinning, especially in snow.
2. I caution all who only use it rarely, the solenoid will stick and it won't engauge if it is not excercised regularly.

 

A rear locker is very important if you do much off roading. You can go more places in a 2-wheel drive with a rear locker, than you can with a 4-wheel drive with open diffs.

 

Fixed it for ya.

 

LOL ain't nothin' going to help you with all 4 spinning... Nice catch.

 

It all comes down to how or what you use the truck for.

Mechanical electrical device it needs to be engaged just like your 4x4 from time to time.

We hear of people having 4x4 failing to engage because they only tired it once 5 years ago freak blizzard in Key West now it does not work.

 

Ah the concensus says my question was not so dumb! Good info y'all. My truck's 2wd with locker. So now I have to figure out where I can exercise this thing around here. I hope it doesn't get stuck in the engaged position when I do-is that possible too?

 

Never been stuck for me before; then again I replaced all fluids in my truck when I took ownership of it.

 

Next thing on the build list is re-gearing and locking front and rear.

 

Excuse me, troll post are scheduled for Friday's good sir

 

Quoted for truth with addendum: grey wire mod is also awesome.

 

A couple of years ago I lived in Coppell. I drive to work in Louisiana and went a couple of years without ever putting in 4WD. It wouldn't engage and after dropping it off at Toyota, the mechanic said he got it to finally work. Now that I live in Western North Carolina I wheel as frequently as I can so it hasn't been a problem.

 

Coppell huh? I lived in Lewisville close to Coppell for a long time. Pretty close. Now I'm in Corinth.

Lol I was just in NC last month for a wedding in Atlantic Beach. Drove through WNC on the way back to see the Smokey Mountain NP. Stopped in Hildebran (Near Hickory) where a cousin by marriage was raised and got us some livermush per his recommendation.

All and all NC was pretty nice. Glad you get to wheel. As you know there isn't much to do around here. It sucks.

 

Yet again a video that gets differential fundamentals regarding outputs of torques and speeds completely wrong. I've covered it many times on this forum and videos like this that present as quality information on the topic yet get the details wrong just frustrates me. Be mindful of the misinformation the video contains.