Rear Locker vs Center Locker in Practical 4x4 Uses??

[afg10000]

I gotta add my 2 cents. My first Runner had the rear locker. Applying it when going on mountain trails and deep sand terrain made a very noticeable difference. We all know base 3rd gens are very capable off road vehicles and can handle most normal circumstances. I kinda got spoiled and became complacent. Then I purchased an '01 limited for my wife. We decided to take it on a long camping and off roading trip to try it out. I swapped my duratracs onto it and off we went. No lift or any other mods. Did just fine in the mountains, though we didn't get too extreme with it.
Then, I feel I overestimated what the center diff lock could help with. There was definitely some operator error and/or bad judgement on my part. Never got my rig stuck before. Figured this one would perform the same. Not the case, though some very gnarly stuff, I learned the limits and a hard lesson. To this day I'd still put money that my truck would have made it through.
I personally won't buy a 4Runner without a rear locker. The center diff lock is fairly worthless to me for actual off road applications. Here's a nice reminder of my $5200 lesson. Oh the memories...

 

[Lindenwood]

:0

I dunno, heh. That looks pretty gnarly for unlifted with stock tires, e-locker or no .

Was the $5200 for the tow??

 

[afg10000]

:0

I dunno, heh. That looks pretty gnarly for unlifted with stock tires, e-locker or no .

Was the $5200 for the tow??

Not stock tires. 265/75/16 duratracs. $5200 was the total cost of the whole mess.
I don't want to derail the thread topic but if you're interested in seeing more of my f*%k up, here's the thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/148210-sunk-4runner-x2-please-help.html

 

[Hepar]

And FWIW your 4Runner has an electronic system that simulates diff locker. It's called TRAC, and when one wheel starts spinning faster than the other the system applies the brake to that wheel, effectively transferring power back to the one with traction. Not as good as a locked diff of course, but it does work. I've gone up fairly steep snow covered roads in 2WD and had no problem, I felt TRAC kick in a few times. In 4WD TRAC applies to the front wheels as well.

I can't even count how many times I've wanted to rip that system out. I think it has its time and place, but am definitely going to add the ability to toggle it on and off at some point.

 

[Scramble]

Can I get a 5th gen SR5 with a rear locker or would I need to get trail or trd pro?

Trail or TRD Pro from what I understand, but I'd ask in the 5th gen section to be sure.

 

[Scramble]

Not stock tires. 265/75/16 duratracs. $5200 was the total cost of the whole mess.
I don't want to derail the thread topic but if you're interested in seeing more of my f*%k up, here's the thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/148210-sunk-4runner-x2-please-help.html

I'm gonna have to read that link before I say my truck would have made it through w/o a RR locker. :bigok: With no lift & A/T's probably not, with lift & 33" MT's probably yes. On something like that I like to see someone else do it first before I dive in! :whoo:

 

[WallyWest]

I can't even count how many times I've wanted to rip that system out. I think it has its time and place, but am definitely going to add the ability to toggle it on and off at some point.

TRAC is generally considered beneficial. You sure you aren't thinking of VSC? That's the one that will cut power. TRAC simply improves traction, VSC tries to correct a slide and will cut power as well as apply individual brakes. With VSC active spinning the wheels is just about impossible.

For off road I would disable ABS and VSC, but leave TRAC on. JMO.

 

[Hepar]

TRAC is generally considered beneficial. You sure you aren't thinking of VSC?.

That's the stupid bugger I'm thinking about.

 

[jgue467]

Both are helpful yet different. Sure a rear locker (and front) are awesome.

A center locker does just that, forces at least 1 rear wheel and 1 front wheel to spin together. Depending on the situation, that can help Both on and offroad, I've proven it to myself many times in sand, mud, small/medium loose rock, loose dirt and on road situations. But like all things evil, ya' gotta know when to use each.

What we all really want are 3 lockers, now let's dream....oh wait that's what a landcruiser has! :cowboy:

 

[3bears]

for what its worth. Spoke with a guy yesterday that has a 2001. He had had a 99. He hates the 2001 with all its center locker stuff etc. He said it constantly has issues,

 

[JMike46]

Want the best traction and most options for any condition? Do what I'm doing. Buy a truck with a center locker, add an LSD to the rear, and then add an ARB or other manual locker to the front. You will have the option of excellent handling/traction in 2wd on-road, unlocked w/ LSD for dirt roads or snow, locked for heavier snow (if you have ever driven and older Subaru STI with the DCCD locking center diff and rear LSD in the snow you will understand why this is the ultimate setup for snow or "rally" style driving) The LSD will help tremendously offroad and mimick and auto-locker when the center is locked, then when you really get stuck, the manual front locker will help you get out of any jam. You just have to be careful with front lockers and pay attention to the angle of your axles. IFS + too much flex + a front locker can equal a bad day.

 

[4-Ripcord]

So much mis-information in this thread about what a center differential actually does...


This is strait from the buyer's guide.

Center differential (Multi-Mode AWD)
You can think of a normal transfer case as one that is always in the "locked" position. When the transfer-case (aka center differential) is locked, the truck is in normal 4WD. When the transfer case is unlocked/open, the truck is in AWD (all wheel drive). AWD is when the front and rear drive-shafts leaving the transfer-case can rotate independent of each other. AWD is the only safe way to deliver power to all four wheels on high traction surfaces such as paved roads. AWD is meant for partially low traction roads where "true 4wd" should still not be used, such as some light ice. With this transfer case locked, both front and rear drive-shafts must spin at the same speed. Having the center diff locked is bad for on road use because when you corner, the front wheels make a larger diameter turn than the rear wheels And that means the rear drive-shaft needs to spin at a different speed to keep pace with the front.. which it cant if the transfer-case is locked into true 4wd.

In terms of off road ability, the unlock/lock feature on the Multi-Mode t-case (center differential) does not add anything. It only allows the use of all wheel power on pavement. The rear e-locker is the only option above normal 4wd that actually increases off road ability.


How do I choose between these?

-If you live in an area with ice covered winter roads, heavy rain, and you tend to be more of a city driver, the Multi-mode selectable AWD is going to be indispensable to you. It makes icy roads easy to tackle.

-If you tend to do more off-roading and plan to modify the 4runner for a trails vehicle, the rear e-locker is going to help you a lot with that goal.

-The '99-'00 limited 4runner had both of these if you can find one with the e-locker option.

 

[WallyWest]

In terms of off road ability, the unlock/lock feature on the Multi-Mode t-case (center differential) does not add anything. It only allows the use of all wheel power on pavement. The rear e-locker is the only option above normal 4wd that actually increases off road ability.

What that's saying is the UNLOCKED mode does not add off-road capability, when compared to a standard 4X4 T-case that is always locked.

If you look at it from the other side, comparing our multi-mode system to the many AWD only cars and SUV's running around, then a locking T-case most certainly does add off road capability. In fact that would be the #1 requirement to even call your truck 4WD. Locking diffs are even better of course, but without the locking T-case you probably should stay on the road.

If you don't think the locked T-case adds anything I know some trails that can change your mind. I'll drive my 4Runner, you can have my wife's AWD Jeep. Good luck.

 

[4-Ripcord]

What that's saying is the UNLOCKED mode does not add off-road capability, when compared to a standard 4X4 T-case that is always locked.

If you look at it from the other side, comparing our multi-mode system to the many AWD only cars and SUV's running around, then a locking T-case most certainly does add off road capability. In fact that would be the #1 requirement to even call your truck 4WD. Locking diffs are even better of course, but without the locking T-case you probably should stay on the road.

If you don't think the locked T-case adds anything I know some trails that can change your mind. I'll drive my 4Runner, you can have my wife's AWD Jeep. Good luck.

Of course a locked center diff is better than unlocked, Jesus dude do you think I am stupid?

I am saying multi-mode is the same as a normal transfer case when its locked so the only thing that adds capability is an elocker.

 

[Unner]

Of course a locked center diff is better than unlocked, Jesus dude do you think I am stupid?

I am saying multi-mode is the same as a normal transfer case when its locked so the only thing that adds capability is an elocker.

Pshhhh. What do you know about vehicles and drivetrains. Not like you worked as an engineer for a large car company or anything... :bash:

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I still can't believe that Toyota didn't sell the multimode 4x4 earlier in the states.

I have the multimode (i.e. lockable centre diff) in my 96 and think its great. As mentioned above greasy roads with patchy ice, heavy rain or what ever, you can just run in it 4wd without anything winding up.

I also run Eaton Truetracs front and rear. I'm pretty confident I can get most places I'll need to, with the benefit of them assisting wheelspin on the road.

 

[WallyWest]

Of course a locked center diff is better than unlocked, Jesus dude do you think I am stupid?

I am saying multi-mode is the same as a normal transfer case when its locked so the only thing that adds capability is an elocker.

Ok, then I'm not sure what you're taking issue with (the thread is full of misinformation comment) because everyone else is saying the same thing. :shrug:

 

[jhuerta22]

You could just by a fully locked Land Cruiser and not worry about it. Speaking of which... wanna buy one?

 

[AntleredRuin]

I think it's just ridiculous that people are actually arguing about this and that it's gone one for 3 pages...

This is a pretty simple concept. The center locker refers to a multi-mode transfer case, and the rear locker refers to a lockable rear diff. I get the confusion with the terms, but it's not that hard.

The center locker allows someone to have 2wd, 4wd, or AWD. This has absolutely no bearing on the rear diff, and it does not add any extra off-road abilities to the T4R that were not otherwise already there.
AWD simply makes it 'safer' for the drivetrain to drive on streets in '4wd'. Obviously, real 4wd is better at off-roading than AWD. My aunt has an AWD Sienna Minivan. Obviously not meant for off-roading.

The rear locker allows 2wd, 4wd, and 4wd Locked. This locks both rear wheels together which adds a good deal of off-road ability. This does not make it 'safe' for the drivetrain to drive on the streets in 4wd.

As already mentioned, the 1999 and 2000 Limited came with both.

and this is coming from a guy with a 2wd...

I wanna be a mod so I can officially say, "Thread closed".

 

[silver4est]

3 pages lol, its been going on for almost 7 years as well