Hunting Truck Advice -- Locking Rear Differential or not

[blackpowderhunter]

if you can afford it, do it, no questions asked.  i've had tacoma's and 4runners with them and they make a WORLD of difference when engaged.
it's not a necessity but it's dang nice to have especially if you're driving the roads alone and need to get out of a sticky situation.

[Dan-o]

My truck came with an offroad package that included a rear locker.   I liked it so much that I added a rear locker.

If I get stuck now, i am really stuck!!!!!     

[jdb]

I think equally important is a winch.

[Woodchuck]

My truck came with an offroad package that included a rear locker.   I liked it so much that I added a rear locker.

If I get stuck now, i am really stuck!!!!!     

2 rear lockers? Impressive. 

[follow maggie]

I have the factory one in my Chevy like kfhunter & I love it. It works great for how I use my truck & the places I go with what I’m hauling.

[b23]

The midsize trucks like the Tacos are a great size for getting around in the woods or tighter places.  I had a Gen2 crew cab SB Tacoma and it was a great size for getting around lots of different tighter places.  Mine had the TRD off road package which had the locking diff, I think Toyota calls E-Locker, and in the seven years I had it I think I only had it engaged a couple times maybe.  Like other vehicles I've had with factory lockers you could only turn it on when in 4-Lo but I believe it's a fairly easy mod if you wanted to change that.  Had a Jeep Rubicon that I could lock front and back both but when all four were locked up it mostly only wanted to go straight.

[Mudman]

Good tires, winch and shovel jack n chains/straps are $ well spent.  Lockers are awesome but not generally needed.   A reversible winch system mount to receiver front or back is even better.  I would want lockers but I use sxs instead if its that bad.

[Alchase]

Locker are extra insurance when you need them to get in and out of places unlocked vehicles may not.

Good tires, winch and shovel jack n chains/straps are $ well spent.  Lockers are awesome but not generally needed.   A reversible winch system mount to receiver front or back is even better.  I would want lockers but I use sxs instead if its that bad.

But good recovery gear in a must have. A winch is awesome, or at the very least a heavy duty come-along and Pulley Snatch Block with decent tow strap is a must.

[Stein]

I have an F-150 that doesn't have the electronic locker.  I thought about adding it, but the cost doesn't seem to be worth it for me.

I agree that snow tires make a huge difference, I don't drive much in mud and only on forest roads, not anything offroad.  For me, not having a locker mentally keeps me from doing real stupid stuff.

The electronics on newer trucks also make a huge difference in controlling wheel spin and directing power. 

I would take one if I had it but don't think it's a big deal to not have it for what I do.  You can always add one later if you decide you need it.

[KFhunter]

I don't want a locker to get deeper back in the snow,  and deeper in trouble, its mostly for when I get cattywhompus, a front wheel in a hole lifting the opposite rear tire and then you gotta get out, get all muddy, rescue yourself...bleh

Now, my front dips in a hole, I hear wheel spin followed by a clunk and off I go weeee!

[syoungs]

I use the electronic locker on my f350 pretty often. I wouldn't dream of having an open diff on a truck. A limited slip in great working condition is a close 2nd.
Adding a locker after the fact is much more expensive then checking a box when ordering in my experience.

[phildobaggins]

You're never going to say "I wish I didn't have a locker".

I have a 2006 Tundra with an LSD, and it takes me everywhere I need to go, HOWEVER, my friend's Tacoma has a locker and it is our vehicle of choice these days. My Tundra is so big, and the peace of mind having a locker and carrying chains is incredible.

[Magnum_Willys]

Don’t leave home without it!

[hiway_99]

I believe the Toyota locker only works in 4lo

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

[phildobaggins]

I believe the Toyota locker only works in 4lo

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Pretty sure the only time I think "We should use the locker" is when we're already in 4LO