Tacoma questions

[jdb]

I'm in the market for a new tacoma, I really dig the locking rear diff but  having trouble finding one I can afford. Is the locking rear as nice a feature as it seems? Or is it just a novelty?

[follow maggie]

When you're out in the woods or towing, it's worth every penny it costs

[Alchase]

I agree, you only miss it ......... when you need it, LOL

[Slimdog350]

I love my Tacoma extended cab. It's an 05 and has the locking diff. The only thing that sucks is you can only use it in 4 low. It won't kick in any other time unless you bypass it with a switch(which I don't plan on doing). I'm actually thinking about selling it to get a crew cab one because I have another child on the way. I haven't had one issue with it and have had it 7 years.

[aaronoto]

Definitely not a novelty, it's the real deal.  However, I'd guess 98% of Tacoma owners would never use it.  I never had the need for mine, although my truck had it.  Straight up 4WD always got me where I needed to go.

If you plan to wheel it, you'll probably want it, if not I wouldn't personally spend the extra money.

[Alchase]

I love my Tacoma extended cab. It's an 05 and has the locking diff. The only thing that sucks is you can only use it in 4 low. It won't kick in any other time unless you bypass it with a switch(which I don't plan on doing). I'm actually thinking about selling it to get a crew cab one because I have another child on the way. I haven't had one issue with it and have had it 7 years.

Try applying the break a little while applying power next time you need to engage your LTD slip.
It will create a false traction situation and apply torque to the opposite wheel. This can help when in slippery situations.

[Slimdog350]

I love my Tacoma extended cab. It's an 05 and has the locking diff. The only thing that sucks is you can only use it in 4 low. It won't kick in any other time unless you bypass it with a switch(which I don't plan on doing). I'm actually thinking about selling it to get a crew cab one because I have another child on the way. I haven't had one issue with it and have had it 7 years.

Try applying the break a little while applying power next time you need to engage your LTD slip.
It will create a false traction situation and apply torque to the opposite wheel. This can help when in slippery situations.

I completely agree Alchase. I've wheeled quite a bit in my younger days so I'm up on all that stuff. I was just saying my Tacoma has a switch on the dash and the electronic rear locker will not engage unless it is in 4 low. It will just beep at you until it gets switched over. I've only needed it a few times so I'm not sure how justifiable it is but it sure got me out of my situation.

[teanawayslayer]

as being a  E locker I don't care for them. known way to many to fail. Arb only way to go.

[b23]

I bought a new 13 Tacoma in mid Dec. 2012.  The only way you can get the locking diff. is with the Off Road package.  If you like the look of the fake hood scoop then you have to go with the Sport Package and that package doesn't have the locking rear diff.

The locking rear diff. was important to me, I'm not sure why because I only used the front and rear lockers in my 09 Rubicon 2 times, so I bought a Taco that was equipped with the OR package.  It's already been mentioned but the locking diff. in the Taco will only engage when you are in Low Range.  It kind of sucks but my Rubicon was the same way.  There are ways to get around that and a quick search on Tacoma World will get you all you need to know on making the locker work in 2h and 4h.

Not sure what year Taco you are thinking about and the one I have is my first and only Toyota anything I've ever owned so anything I say about them is based off my knowledge of owning mine for the last 18mnths.

The 4.0 V6 has ok power and get decent gas mileage.  At 3,000 miles I put the TRD Supercharger on mine.  With the TRD supercharger installed there is NO change in ANY of the warranties it came with from the factory.  It makes a pretty substantial increase in power, 75hp & 75lbft tq, if you drive it normal and stay in control of your right foot the supercharger won't decrease you MPG.  If you don't, like any other vehicle, the MPG will be negatively affected by how hard you stand on the loud pedal.  I consistently get 19-19.9mpg in town and 22-23 on long trips.  On long trips if I keep the cruise set at 70, I can get 24, if I set it at 75-75+ which is what I typically do, it quickly drops to 22.5.

So far, I don't have any complaints.  They are, in my opinion, the best looking mid size truck on the market.  I would HIGHLY recommend you reallllllly make sure you only want a mid size because if you even remotely have a thought of a full size, I would say there is a good possibility you could regret only getting a mid size.  When I bought my Taco I still had my 04 crew cab f250 4x4 diesel.  About 7 mnths after owning my Taco I got the brilliant idea I didn't need a full size truck just sitting in my shop, taking up space and never getting used, so I thought, maybe I should just sell the truck I never seem to use anymore.  Before I could hardly get the words, it's for sale, out of my mouth, I had a check in my hand and it was going down the road with someone else behind the wheel.  Now that I'm down to only my Taco, I wished I'd either kept my other truck or atleast bought a full size half ton. 

Soooo, my biggest suggestion to you would be make sure a mid size is really what you want because they are certainly no replacement for a full size.  If you decide that is what you want, IMO, the Tacoma is the best choice.

 

[BLUEBULLS]

the E-locker is designed for getting a guy out of a pickle, not for wheeling purposes. I chose the OR with the E-locker knowing I would need it but not often. I don't see much need for it in 2WD or 4 HI. Typically when a locker is needed it's for slow going type situations. One place I hunt/park would really beat up a rig without it but with the locker I just creep in there while articulating. It's not an ARB but it does it's job for me every time I need it and gives me a sense of comfort.

Also, as others have said, make sure a midsize is right for you. I also have a fullsize and definitely need it at times with the family and gear. I sold my old Tacoma and bought a new one with plans of it being my hunting rig for the next 20 years or so. They're a great all around rig that can tow well, go most places, haul a family, haul dead animals, last forever, hold value, etc.

Go with the locker and have no regrets.

[Alchase]

If you are having trouble finding one with a stock locker, buy one with an open diff and drop a Tru-Trac or an ARB in it.

http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-Air-Locker-Toyota-Tacoma-Rr-30-Spline-All-Ratios-RD129-P3520C7.aspx

They are that expensive and for a daily they offer good performance for the money.

[HawkCreek]

I have an '05 with the off road package, I bought it brand new just after my last deployment. I've had my truck up hunting in the blues a few times and it's a daily use rig for me. In all that time I've used the locker probably no more than 5 or 6 times. I use the 4wd a lot but not often do I need to drop down into 4 Low.

As was mentioned above they are great trucks (I'm over 100k miles on mine with no real issues) but they suck if you need a full size. I hate the fact that I can't get a sheet of plywood in the back of my truck. I plan on driving this Taco until it literally falls apart but it's become a big enough issue that I'm actively looking for an F350 with a 7.3 for use as a work/tow rig.

[Bigtine96]

How new are we talking?

[jdb]

I was actually looking at the older tacoma'a 99-04

[Bean Counter]

.....
As was mentioned above they are great trucks (I'm over 100k miles on mine with no real issues) but they suck if you need a full size. I hate the fact that I can't get a sheet of plywood in the back of my truck. I plan on driving this Taco until it literally falls apart but it's become a big enough issue that I'm actively looking for an F350 with a 7.3 for use as a work/tow rig.

When I first started truck shopping, I looked into Tacomas. But then I saw that it only gets about 2-3 miles per gallon better than a Tundra at best. Never bought a Tacoma and I'm on my 2nd Tundra and loving it.