Yes, the rear locker sends power to both rear tires. If you have a Toyota without a rear locker, yes it only sends power to 1 rear tire.
In recent years you could get a "sport" package, which gets you a limited-slip rearend. Thats similar to a locker, but the LS does it on it's own. With the locker its more predictable because when you push the button it locks the rearend. With a LS it can catch you off guard sometimes because the rearend will lock and unlock and can often fishtail on you.
The TRD package also gets you different shocks and I think it also gets you a different gear ratio in the rear end.

 

You really only need the rear locker if your going to be in alot of situations where the truck could get stuck (ie. off-roading)

Otherwise its a cool button to say you have and you can be like "hey guys i can lock my rear differental" and they'll be like "oooooooooo" :jerkit:

 

Going from memory here...

Rear locker, 31x10 tires, Blisteen shocks, and the skid plate package (though skid plates can be added without TRD.)

I liked it when I bought my '99 because with the tires and suspension I had maximum ground clearance. Often times, good tires and ground clearance is all I need for rutted (high-center) logging roads.

Love the factory built in locker, but I can't say I've ever NEEDED it.

GregS_WI

 

The Bilstein shocks are supposed to be very good
Just going by what I’ve heard. I wouldn't know from experience

 

The dubcab TRD have Tokico shocks not Bilstein. If your gonna go off the pavement at all I think the TRD is money well spent, but thats just my 2 cents.

 

My first Tacoma was a non-TRD SR5 4x4 1998 Xcab (V6 5-speed). I was told it had a LSD. I never needed it. I think I paid right around $19K for that truck. They would have let me take the same thing but with the TRD pkg for another $1k. This was back in April 1998.

 

What skid plates come with the TRD package. My 2004 Doublecab TRD has one on front and one on gas tank. Is a skid for the transmission area part of the TRD Package? If so the pervious owner must of removed it. Seems odd to me there is no protection for the transmission.

 

I think there should have been one for the tranny. You might wanna check other same gen Tacos in your area to see if that is true or not, but you may look funny to other folks while looking under people's trucks! :yikes:

 

If you are buying a used one its not going to make a whole lot difference in the price.Id get the trd.If you find a real clean low milage truck and it dosen thave it?I wouldnt pass it up if the price was right.