do I need locking differential

I do a lot of driving on desert dirt roads to get to hiking trail
heads. Most of these only require 2wd with high clearance, but the
occassional road is 4x4 recommended. These are not really hard core
roads, although sometimes sandy. Even if I have 4x4, I'm just not
willing to go on crazy roads as I'm often by myself.

Question - I'm looking at the basic 2006 Tacoma 4x4 with the SR5
package, not the TRD. This does not have the locking differential. Do
you think this will meet my basic needs of light 4x4 use?

[email]dc.nc@verizon.net[/email] wrote:[color=blue]
> I do a lot of driving on desert dirt roads to get to hiking trail
> heads.
> Question - I'm looking at the basic 2006 Tacoma 4x4 with the SR5
> package, not the TRD. This does not have the locking differential. Do
> you think this will meet my basic needs of light 4x4 use?[/color]

I think you are fine with the SR5 truck, although I would advise
getting a limited slip rear differential option on it. That makes all
the difference, especially in 2wd. A locker is a neat thing but for
light wheelin' it's unnecessary.

-jeff

[toyomoho]

A locking differential is great for hard core off road driving. But, 4-w drive with a limited slip differential will provide what you are looking for.

the base 4x4 does not have limited slip. How important is this? slip?


toyomoho wrote:[color=blue]
> A locking differential is great for hard core off road driving. But,
> 4-w drive with a limited slip differential will provide what you are
> looking for.
>
>
> --
> toyomoho
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> toyomoho's Profile: [url]http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/member.php?userid=59151[/url]
> View this thread: [url]http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159217[/url][/color]

<dc.nc@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1160276323.518327.152760@e3g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> the base 4x4 does not have limited slip. How important is this? slip?
>[/color]
LSD's are great if they are maintained in good order. This includes correct
lubrication, usually they are stuffed by 10 years old well and truely.

[email]dc.nc@verizon.net[/email] wrote:[color=blue]
> the base 4x4 does not have limited slip. How important is this? slip?[/color]

With a LSD, if you were to give it some gas on a gravel road starting
out you'd spin BOTH rear tires. Without it, you'd spin one tire.

It makes a difference, for sure. It's probably not crucial for your
needs. OTOH, it's about a $300 upcharge if I'm remembering right from
my Tundra.

-jeff


[color=blue]
>
>
> toyomoho wrote:[color=green]
> > A locking differential is great for hard core off road driving. But,
> > 4-w drive with a limited slip differential will provide what you are
> > looking for.
> >
> >
> > --
> > toyomoho
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > toyomoho's Profile: [url]http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/member.php?userid=59151[/url]
> > View this thread: [url]http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159217[/url][/color][/color]

Scotty wrote:[color=blue]
> <dc.nc@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:1160276323.518327.152760@e3g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> > the base 4x4 does not have limited slip. How important is this? slip?
> >[/color]
> LSD's are great if they are maintained in good order. This includes correct
> lubrication, usually they are stuffed by 10 years old well and truely.[/color]

True with the clutch-based ones, like the factory Toyota, but there ARE
gear-driven units that will last as long as the differential. The
Detroit Tru-Trac is what I had in my Jeep front and rear. That's a
heavy-duty, gear-driven unit that requires no special lube or
maintenance.

I've had trucks with and without an LSD, and having one is much, much
better even if it only lasts 10 years!

-jeff

"Jeff Olsen" <handywired@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:1160297118.159182.196590@e3g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
> Scotty wrote:[color=green]
>> <dc.nc@verizon.net> wrote in message
>> news:1160276323.518327.152760@e3g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>> > the base 4x4 does not have limited slip. How important is this? slip?
>> >[/color]
>> LSD's are great if they are maintained in good order. This includes
>> correct
>> lubrication, usually they are stuffed by 10 years old well and truely.[/color]
>
> True with the clutch-based ones, like the factory Toyota, but there ARE
> gear-driven units that will last as long as the differential. The
> Detroit Tru-Trac is what I had in my Jeep front and rear. That's a
> heavy-duty, gear-driven unit that requires no special lube or
> maintenance.
>
> I've had trucks with and without an LSD, and having one is much, much
> better even if it only lasts 10 years!
>
> -jeff
>[/color]

Yep, I had one rebuilt a few years ago and boy, I didnt realise how bad it
was till I replaced the clutches. Driving on wet roads with Muddies became a
task and a half.

On 8 Oct 2006 01:45:18 -0700, "Jeff Olsen" <handywired@earthlink.net>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>I've had trucks with and without an LSD, and having one is much, much
>better even if it only lasts 10 years![/color]


They are kinda over rated. There is a mentality with some that it is a
must have with 4x4 but this is really not the case at all. I have been
owning and driving 4x4 for over 35 years now and most with open diffs
and never been stuck of stopped because of it. Actaully I prefer open
diffs in my snow plow trucks because a LSD can have directional
control issues (fish talling) on ice and such. In a 2wd you have more
arguement for having one since you only have one drive axle. The best
locker would be a selectable one that you could lock on demand not
when it wants to.To no buy a 4x4 truck those because it does not have
a LSD in it is kinda foolish if you like it otherwise as at the end of
the day it is your abilty to read the road and drive it that will get
you through, not whether you have a locker or not. I have been some
pretty hairy places without them and did okay.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

On 8 Oct 2006 01:42:37 -0700, "Jeff Olsen" <handywired@earthlink.net>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>With a LSD, if you were to give it some gas on a gravel road starting
>out you'd spin BOTH rear tires. Without it, you'd spin one tire.[/color]


Not always true because weight distribution and axle ratio (axle
wrapup to drive shaft input) plays roll here to I have a few 4x4's
with open diffes and if you crowd them on a gravel road it will spin
them both and I even have a old J 20 jeep truck that will spin both
tires on dry pavement regulary in surface is about equal traction
wise.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

<dc.nc@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1160256768.321577.178730@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I do a lot of driving on desert dirt roads to get to hiking trail
> heads. Most of these only require 2wd with high clearance, but the
> occassional road is 4x4 recommended. These are not really hard core
> roads, although sometimes sandy. Even if I have 4x4, I'm just not
> willing to go on crazy roads as I'm often by myself.
>
> Question - I'm looking at the basic 2006 Tacoma 4x4 with the SR5
> package, not the TRD. This does not have the locking differential. Do
> you think this will meet my basic needs of light 4x4 use?
>[/color]

I've got it in my TRD and I've used it exactly once in 4 years. Middle of
February, when everything had been frozen solid for a month. Drove into a
parking lot covered with a foot of snow, but the area was apparently sitting
over the only source of natural heat in all of upstate NY because under the
snow, there was 6" of UNfrozen slippery mud.

On Sun, 08 Oct 2006 13:55:35 GMT, "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com>
found these unused words floating about:
[color=blue]
><dc.nc@verizon.net> wrote in message
>news:1160256768.321577.178730@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>>I do a lot of driving on desert dirt roads to get to hiking trail
>> heads. Most of these only require 2wd with high clearance, but the
>> occassional road is 4x4 recommended. These are not really hard core
>> roads, although sometimes sandy. Even if I have 4x4, I'm just not
>> willing to go on crazy roads as I'm often by myself.
>>
>> Question - I'm looking at the basic 2006 Tacoma 4x4 with the SR5
>> package, not the TRD. This does not have the locking differential. Do
>> you think this will meet my basic needs of light 4x4 use?
>>[/color]
>
>I've got it in my TRD and I've used it exactly once in 4 years. Middle of
>February, when everything had been frozen solid for a month. Drove into a
>parking lot covered with a foot of snow, but the area was apparently sitting
>over the only source of natural heat in all of upstate NY because under the
>snow, there was 6" of UNfrozen slippery mud.
>[/color]
OTOH, I have it in my 2002 DC.
Use it for coming up out of dry washes _ loose sand/gravel.
Use it for steeper hillsides with loose rock or lots of debris.
Use it in sand to maintain stability.

Probably put it on (switchable) about 2-3 times per off road run.
Had -=one=- case where I'd probably still be in a wash. The front had NO
grip and one wheel wasn't going to get me up and over. Locker 'walked' the
truck out.

SnoMan wrote:[color=blue]
> On 8 Oct 2006 01:45:18 -0700, "Jeff Olsen" <handywired@earthlink.net>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >
> >I've had trucks with and without an LSD, and having one is much, much
> >better even if it only lasts 10 years![/color]
>
> They are kinda over rated. There is a mentality with some that it is a
> must have with 4x4 but this is really not the case at all.[/color]

Where I really appreciate it is in 2wd, actually...

-jeff

On 8 Oct 2006 11:54:05 -0700, "Jeff Olsen" <handywired@earthlink.net>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>Where I really appreciate it is in 2wd, actually...[/color]


No aurguement there the added traction in 2wd tends to offset its
squirreliness at times on slick surfaces.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

SnoMan wrote:[color=blue]
> On 8 Oct 2006 11:54:05 -0700, "Jeff Olsen" <handywired@earthlink.net>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >Where I really appreciate it is in 2wd, actually...[/color]
>
>
> No aurguement there the added traction in 2wd tends to offset its
> squirreliness at times on slick surfaces.
> -----------------
> TheSnoMan.com[/color]

I know what you mean about the squirreliness, too... I had a Jeep TJ
that I had regeared to 4.11 and while he was in there I had the guy put
the Tru-Tracs front and rear and that thing was SCARY the next year up
at elk camp, on the snowy and frozen ridgeline roads up to the
trailheads... the Goodyear MT/R's didn't help; those things suck on
ice.

A well-implemented AWD with a limited slip between the front and rear
tires, like my '95 Land Cruiser has, is my favorite on slippery
stuff... that thing is just amazing.

-jeff