Rear diff lock

I have a tough time with my Tacoma in winter snow.
My VW beetle and Volvo sedan doesnt get stuck neither does my MB's but the Tacoma basically gets stuck in the smallest amount of snow. Loading the bucket doesnt help much either.

Does it maybe have a rear diff lock that is hidden away somewhere.?
I cannot find anything except ECT on the instrument panel.

 

The Rear Diff lock button is to the left of the steering wheel, if you don't see it then you don't have it. 1998+ it came with the TRD models. Before that it was a feature you could order. But no button = no e-locker




You sure your 4wd is engaging properly? Shouldn't get stuck that easy...what kind of tires are you running?

 

^ +1

I'll add that even if you have a locker, it's not necessarily something that you should always engage in snow. Only turn it on as necessary, and never have it on wet/dry pavement in unless you're driving in a straight line.

Something else must be up, a 1st gen Tacoma's are one of the most sure-footed 4wd vehicles in the snow.

 

From previous posts, OP has a Prerunner, not 4x4.

 

Ahh...well..there it is lol.

2wd lightweight RWD truck in snow is not going to do well without chains

a locker in the rear would probably make matters worse, causing the back end to slide about

 

Chains, weight in the back, and airing down if it's really bad.

I don't recommend the use of a locker in snow.

 

Ride the parking brake to trick the rear differential into driving both rear wheels not just the spinning wheel.
DUH.

 

Cant believe it has no lock.
But thanks, that clears it up.

Is it possible to replace the diff with another that has a lock. Even if it is a manual lock it would be great as difflocks always got me out of trouble easily when stuck on previous trucks I owned.

This youtube video seemingly claims a replacement diff costs about $2000-$4000 for a 4-runner. So it should be similar fro mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncZQrBjQ8SU

Dont know if that makes sense pricewise, so I will probably sell it in spring if I cannot install a lock a bit more affordably and rather get something that does have a lock.
Pity to sell it as it is reliable as hell, unless weather is bad, when it becomes basically useless.

 

There are aftermarket e-locker and air locker options for the rear diff, as well as lunchbox (auto) lockers. Auto lockers have some drawbacks though but they're significantly cheaper.

The TRD/toyota e-locker fits a different size differential than the one you have so you'd have to swap the entire rear axle with one if you wanted to go that route.

Its still a great little truck like you said, its just 2wd lightweight trucks won't ever fair well in the snow without chains. The drive wheels being in the rear underneath a lightweight bed just don't make for good traction on slick conditions

 

You would be far better off either selling it, and getting a 4wd version, or doing a 4wd swap than getting a locker. You only engage the locker when you need it. 4wd is on for much more of the time in the snow, and will likely prevent you from getting into spots where you need the locker. At that point, 4wd with chains would outperform a 2wd with locker anyway.

 

Thanks I will look into your recommendations and price it out.
Would be great to rather install a locker as the truck is good.
That basically solves my initial questions and I have nothing more outstanding.

Thanks for the help.

 

Detroit true locker might be an option

 

for my use and requirements a locker is the way to go. I really dont need 4wd due to the eternal expense of blowing front cv joints on 4wdrives. Been there done that. 2WD with a locking diff always worked great for my requirements in the past. I do not really need 4WD based on my driving requirements. A locking diff always worked for me in the past.
I was stupid to assume that Tacomas have locking diffs to boot as they are generally workhorses and should have it on 2wd.
Well that was my bad assumption.

 

You seem very intent on a locker.. Do you go off roading? If you're only trying to pick up additional traction in the snow, then an LSD and a 4wd would be cheaper and a better solution for you. Selectable lockers are more or less there to get you out of tight spots.

 

I dont offroad so I really dont need 4wd. I haul stuff now and then, about twice a week. Just dont want to get stuck in 2" snow as with this tacoma .. In the past this was always solved by engaging the difflock on my previous trucks.
I got stuck about 4 times this week with the Tacoma. In some cases in 1-2" snow.!!! Rediculous A simple difflock would have solved it.
I had to pull the Tacoma out of my driveway with my TDI Beetle this morning. In the same snow my TDI didnt even care about the same snow the Tacoma was stuck in basically pulling the tacoma out on exactly the same conditions.

 

We obviously can't tell you what to do with your truck, and you obviously have strong opinions. Every person on this thread has suggested that lockers are not the best option for the snow, but apparently, only a locker will suit your driving style, so I wish you the best of luck.

 

Get some studded snow/ice tires for winter swap outs and weight the back.

 

Hello.

In order from easiest & cheapest to more $$$.

Tiny $ - put water softener salt sacks or sand tubes in the back for winter. 200 to 300 lbs will do wonders.
Small $ - tire chains on the rear when needed, but a hassle to put on/off.
Modest $$ - Dedicated winter tires. They work great
More $$$ - Go with a Truetrac LSD in the back. Way better than a locker (air or electric) and works seamlessly without intervention in the snow/rain/dry. Yes, I have one and it rocks.

Weight + winter tires + Truetrac should give you a great winter performance versus your today.

 

I have a 4x4 truck but got tired of engaging front drive all over town cause it was eating my mpg and skidding tires when I'd make a turn since our local roads have been in the half ice sheet tundra / half exposed pavement mode. Was amazed at how much difference two 60lb bags of sand made in the back. Sub $10 fix for good traction and I haven't had to flip the stubby knob into 4hi for over a week.