locking differential?
- Thread starter joerc211v
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techno
New member
3rd gens had a rear locker option up to 2000. 4th gens never had them. There are plenty of aftermarket units available.
They are complex to install, they require special tools and a moderate mechanical aptitude.
I wouldnt say they are important, but they are very useful off road in moderate to extreme conditions.
They are complex to install, they require special tools and a moderate mechanical aptitude.
I wouldnt say they are important, but they are very useful off road in moderate to extreme conditions.
004Gunner
New member
According to this the locking rear diff was available as an option from 96-00 and I don't know if any of the 4th gens brought it back. You can add it but the factory gear ratios were different so you couldn't just throw a factory locking rear onto one not equipped with it originally. Aftermarket lockers can also be added but that is a completely different discussion. Importance? A locking rear diff in a 4Runner is a lot like a machine gunner carrying a sidearm. If you find yourself using it, you got yourself into a situation you should have avoided if possible and it may already be too late.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
I disagree,a locker is a nice option to have off road before tackling an obstacle,a hill (where one rear wheel is off the ground) or a deep stretch of snow/mud. Off road it can be the difference between not making an obstacle and forging on.
I owned a '97 sans locker and now my '99 with one and on the same trails I did in the '97 the '99 is a fair amount more capable and I have less worries especially on steep inclines where you want both wheels to have traction. .
4th gen Runners never got the diff lock but it is available still in the Tacomas and even the FJs got one along with a 5 speed.
I owned a '97 sans locker and now my '99 with one and on the same trails I did in the '97 the '99 is a fair amount more capable and I have less worries especially on steep inclines where you want both wheels to have traction. .
4th gen Runners never got the diff lock but it is available still in the Tacomas and even the FJs got one along with a 5 speed.
Locking rear Diff
It's an interesting omission on the 4R 4th Gen. From the literature, the Atrac system should make up for some of it as the wheel that is spinning should be braked by the ABS system and the wheel with traction allowed to continue. This "should" work in most situations, however there are times where a true locking rear would be nice.
Personally I would prefer to have it as an option.
Paul C
It's an interesting omission on the 4R 4th Gen. From the literature, the Atrac system should make up for some of it as the wheel that is spinning should be braked by the ABS system and the wheel with traction allowed to continue. This "should" work in most situations, however there are times where a true locking rear would be nice.
Personally I would prefer to have it as an option.
Paul C
2008 locking differential
On a 2008, if it's 4WD, you have the ability to lock the center differential. This is not the same as a locking rear diff.
The 3rd Gen 4R was the last version to offer a locking rear diff.
In off road situations, it is a nice feature to have. It's my understanding you need to be in low range when used. This provides equal amounts of traction to each wheel and eliminates traction loss if one wheel gets off the ground or starts to spin. Without this, if one wheel gets off the road it will continue to spin even though it's not making contact with the road.
Paul C
On a 2008, if it's 4WD, you have the ability to lock the center differential. This is not the same as a locking rear diff.
The 3rd Gen 4R was the last version to offer a locking rear diff.
In off road situations, it is a nice feature to have. It's my understanding you need to be in low range when used. This provides equal amounts of traction to each wheel and eliminates traction loss if one wheel gets off the ground or starts to spin. Without this, if one wheel gets off the road it will continue to spin even though it's not making contact with the road.
Paul C
