factory locker questions

[trd_4runnin]

Ok, I have a couple questions about the factory locker on my 3rd gen.

1. Should the vehicle be stopped, or under any certain speed to engage/disengage the locker? I have been stopping before engaging, because I wasn't sure.

2. If a trail has some nasty spots, is it ok to run the whole trail with locker, even if you only need it for a couple of spots, so as not to lost momentum in those particular spots?

I think thats all the questions I have on that. Thanks in advance!

 

[techno]

I would reccomend locking the diff while you are stopped, but you can engage it while moving slowly and straight.
Practice and experience will let you know when you think an obsticle or terrain conditions will require the locker. If you dont need the locker for the trail and can easilly stop to disengage it, then do so, but if the locker is in and you dont want to stop on the trail (ie, really long slippery hill climb) then leave it in till you can stop, it wont hurt the 4runner. What king of terrrain do you wheel in?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

You can run the whole trail locked but I advise using when needed since it doesn't need the extra wear and tear if you can avoid it.

 

[trd_4runnin]

There are a couple of mud trails near by that I like to go on a pretty regular basis. I do not go after a big rain, because thats just too much mud. I go when they are mostly just dry dirt trails, but there are a few spots that will inevitably be about a foot or so of mud. Its in these few spots that I like to have the locker, as I can usually keep at least one half of the truck on dry dirt.

This is about as bad as I will go through, considering im running Goodyear Trackers...

As you can see, I'm fairly confident I would never make it through this if I were to go completely in it, therefor its nice to use the locker. I just don't always know whether I need it or not and I wasn't sure if turning it off and on would be more wear and tear than just leaving it on.

Thanks for the replys!!

 

[Thai]

For me, i lock my rear most of the time while off-roading, unless:

1. terrain is mild and there is no need for it, or
2. i am making a U-turn or sharp turns often.