Importance of Center Locking Diff/E-locker...

[Monkeybutt2000]

When I 1st got my 01' T4r I thought I'd be wheeling it often. I live 25mins from the "Badlands" and have several local paces to mess around.Fact is,I still haven't been to the Badlands,have only wheeled at the local places a few times,and generally use the AWD when it snows. I thought I missed out by not getting one with an e-locker,but the reality for me is I don't really need it. My rig is a work commuter/deer wagon more than anything else.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Yup. By a million miles.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gener...-snow-fwd-vs-awd-vs-dedicated-snow-tires.html

Good link KidV,


Here is the video:


Front-Wheel-Drive with summer vs. winter tires
&
All-Wheel-Drive with summer vs. winter tires (same car model)


http://www.carscoops.com/2013/11/are-winter-tires-more-important-than.html

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mfuE00qdhLA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Nunyabiz]

Oh snap you just called 98% of the people on this site yuppy city folk who don't wheel their 4runners.

High five!

:third:

Not really, the Multimode 4Runner with ATRAC is still a very capable 4WD, only in a few very specific situations would an elocker be superior.
I am guessing that the vast majority on this site have rarely if ever come across that specific situation.
Meanwhile I also bet that the vast majority live in areas where 98% of all their driving is on a paved road and come across many situations each year where having AWD option would be a welcome addition.

I am thinking there aren't too many here where their Multimode 4Runner doesn't get them everywhere they want to go with ease.
and sometimes that just takes a better driver that is able to get past that one situation in a 1000 where an elocker would have been helpful.

 

[Nunyabiz]

Yea thats pretty sad. I can tell you right now I would way more benefit from the 4wd/elocker. Now my wife, or daughter might use the AWD/alltrac crap more. Cant believe he called us street trucks. Im on this site cuz I OFFROAD SON!

Get a grip.
So to you, all 4Runners that do not have an elocker are "street trucks" and basically incapable of wheeling? seriously?
Every one of these street trucks would follow you up 98% of every trail you can manage with an elocker.
Elocker does have a slight advantage in very specific situations, but so what?
Just means it takes a better driver in those very few occasions.

 

[white_n_slow]

I am thinking there aren't too many here where their Multimode 4Runner doesn't get them everywhere they want to go with ease.
and sometimes that just takes a better driver that is able to get past that one situation in a 1000 where an elocker would have been helpful.

I don't know where you wheel, but it's a lot more than 1 in 1000 when I use my locker. And sure, with a different technique, you may be able to get past that obstacle, but usually that "technique" is to carry way too much momentum and wheelspin and bounce over the obstacle, which breaks parts and could end you up flopped.

Elocker does have a slight advantage in very specific situations, but so what?
Just means it takes a better driver in those very few occasions.

Again, I'm not sure where you wheel, but a locker is way more than a "slight advantage in a very specific situation." In my humble opinion.

While I agree with you that probably the majority of SUV owners do not end up somewhere where they'll need a locker, I would say that the majority of "off road enthusiasts" do. I have owned several open-open 4x4's, and guess what, every single one of them ended up with at least one locker because it is necessary for the type of wheeling I do.

 

[Nunyabiz]

I don't know where you wheel, but it's a lot more than 1 in 1000 when I use my locker. And sure, with a different technique, you may be able to get past that obstacle, but usually that "technique" is to carry way too much momentum and wheelspin and bounce over the obstacle, which breaks parts and could end you up flopped.

Again, I'm not sure where you wheel, but a locker is way more than a "slight advantage in a very specific situation." In my humble opinion.

While I agree with you that probably the majority of SUV owners do not end up somewhere where they'll need a locker, I would say that the majority of "off road enthusiasts" do. I have owned several open-open 4x4's, and guess what, every single one of them ended up with at least one locker because it is necessary for the type of wheeling I do.

Good for you, you are one of that 2%. and Like I stated "If you build your 4Runner specifically for rock crawling" then surely you should get an Elocker.

I still do not believe for one second that the overwhelming majority of 4Runner owners wouldn't get more use out of having the option of AWD Vs just having an Elocker.
I used to 4 wheel A LOT back in my 20s, but today priorities have changed and I do more Fishing & Kayaking than I do 4 Wheeling.
Back 30+ years ago I would also have fit into that minority that you are in today.

 

[UTEP]

WOW!

Being rather new myself to T4R's I considered the Elocker as an option to pop me out of or get me over extreme situations…right?

I mean you don't drive around with an elocker activated do you? Maybe extreme ice/snow but I think I'd just be crawling along if so.

Once again basic novice opinion..

Utep

 

[Coastal616]

Every one of these street trucks would follow you up 98% of every trail you can manage with an elocker.
Elocker does have a slight advantage in very specific situations, but so what?
Just means it takes a better driver in those very few occasions.

I'm going to take out my elocker and get a fancy center locking diff... you sold me.

 

[02SE]

The multi-mode T-case is the most versatile on road.

Having a multi-mode T-case in my '97 V6, E-locker equipped 5-speed, would be the best option, IMO.

Since Toyota never built that combination, (yes, I know it's possible to retrofit a multi-mode case into a 5-speed driveline, it's just not worth the effort to me) I get by with my part-time 4wd system which takes more driver involvement to operate in intermittent slick/wet/dry and back road conditions, than the full-time 4wd option of the multi-mode case.

My truck takes more driver involvement already, being a 5-speed, but that's what I prefer as automatic transmission 4Runners just bore me.

 

[awdjunkies]

So, for the sake of watching and believing a video( :doh: ) (Which we all know tend to be a "Little" biased for the sake of advertisement/money/purchase. Which is also why the magazines here in the states, such as Motor Trend, Car & Driver, etc.. tend to be different when reporting 0-60/quarter mile/figure eight/skid pad results) .. IT Showed a FWD vs an AWD with "Summer" and "Snow/Winter" tires.. Nothing mentioned about A/S or M/S. Which some of you guys swear by them( Duratracs, etc..)



And yes, this thread went all, "Pound my chest like a Gorilla, Cause that's what I do online." BUT.. For the sake of "entertainment" I'll stick around and read it..

 

[KidVermicious]

WOW!

Being rather new myself to T4R's I considered the Elocker as an option to pop me out of or get me over extreme situations&#133;right?

I mean you don't drive around with an elocker activated do you? Maybe extreme ice/snow but I think I'd just be crawling along if so.

Once again basic novice opinion..

Utep

No, the elocker does you no good in normal driving situations, quite the opposite in fact. Elockers are for very low speed very low traction situations. In several inches of snow, they're awesome. On ice or slick roads, the elocker would probably be counter productive.

 

[awpsome]

Best combo 4runner in my opinion is a 99-00 limited with multimode and e locker with limited package.

As much as id love to have a 5spd, that option didn't exist in that combo.

Best of both worlds. Have AWD, 4WD, e locker, leather, and limited flares.

To each their own.

To relate to whatever everyone is talking about, if I had to choose between awd and e locker I'd probably go with AWD for the uses I get out of it and also as I stated before, a locker is much easier to add on in the future and more readily available than a multimode transfer case swap.

 

[awdjunkies]

Best combo 4runner in my opinion is a 99-00 limited with multimode and e locker with limited package.

As much as id love to have a 5spd, that option didn't exist in that combo.

Best of both worlds. Have AWD, 4WD, e locker, leather, and limited flares.

To each their own.

To relate to whatever everyone is talking about, if I had to choose between awd and e locker I'd probably go with AWD for the uses I get out of it and also as I stated before, a locker is much easier to add on in the future and more readily available than a multimode transfer case swap.

It definitely boils down to, "To each their own" But, yeah, my fav has always been the flares on the LTD. with the Multi-Mode and the E-Locker.. .. And you sir, have one up(If I am reading your sig correctly)... As it is S/C'd :clap2:

 

[awpsome]

It definitely boils down to, "To each their own" But, yeah, my fav has always been the flares on the LTD. with the Multi-Mode and the E-Locker.. .. And you sir, have one up(If I am reading your sig correctly)... As it is S/C'd :clap2:

Haha yup, I love it. Couldn't be happier!

 

[JB.]

On one hand, the handling effects of locked 4WD compared to AWD are probably milder than many think. On the other hand, there is a difference in handling where the AWD will generally keep better traction in turns......but all turns aren't equal.

Some context:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/133871-using-part-time-4wd-dry-pavement-te-sr5.html

 

[JayRolla]

Get a grip.
So to you, all 4Runners that do not have an elocker are "street trucks" and basically incapable of wheeling? seriously?
Every one of these street trucks would follow you up 98% of every trail you can manage with an elocker.
Elocker does have a slight advantage in very specific situations, but so what?
Just means it takes a better driver in those very few occasions.

Yes you are right, most can make it up without one if you have some good flex and never come off the ground, but the elocker still has advantage when offroad. Especially when crawling on wet rocks. I have no issue when its dry, but when its a little wet, all my locker buddys make me look dumb. And I think I'm a pretty good driver, been doing it a very long time.

 

[Nunyabiz]

Yes you are right, most can make it up without one if you have some good flex and never come off the ground, but the elocker still has advantage when offroad. Especially when crawling on wet rocks. I have no issue when its dry, but when its a little wet, all my locker buddys make me look dumb. And I think I'm a pretty good driver, been doing it a very long time.

Then we are in total agreement, in fact pretty much everyone here is.
Best get an Elocker if building predominately a rock crawler or you really take it OFF road a lot doing serious trails and fire break roads.
But everything short of that you are better off with a Multimode system which is every bit as capable for basic 4 wheeling and actually better for light snow, patchy ice or any situation where you are doing more than 10 mph.

When I started looking for a 4Runner about 3 years ago the top of my list was a 1999 Highlander Manual Trans with Elocker.
In months and months of looking I never saw anything that even resembled that, but I did come across what was #2 on my list which was a 2002 Sport and now that I have had it for 2+ years I am glad that I found this instead.
It suits my needs perfectly for 100% of the driving that I do and is a perfectly capable 4WD for anything that I am ever going to get myself into.

 

[Coastal616]

OMG I went snow wheeling yesterday, and my normal t-case never slid me off the road once! Crazy! Or I am amazing, one of the two. I engaged my e-locker to make it up a snow covered rock section....maybe I am a noob. I'm so confused now.


But 2wd E-locker engaged is hard to beat for the fun factor!

 

[Curtis f]

Dude! That's so dangerous without the multimode tcase! Wow so lucky you didn't fly off the road. You should do an entire "build thread" on how you mounted your valve stem caps! I put antifreeze in my rear diff... Should be ok right? You gotta come over also and tell me what colour to paint my sliders and what subwoofer models "fit" my 4runner man! While your here we can do the grille mod and change all our interior lights to Led's... Man we got like 4 or 5 build threads outa that we can post on t4r! :guitar3::typing:

 

[Nunyabiz]

And here I thought all Canadians were nice, instead you all seem to be