Hi I am thinking about buying an 89 toyota pickup with manual hubs and locked front and rear with 529 gears. I live in a rural area and plan on using the truck for hunting etc. I need to know the pros and cons of having the front and rear locked and how I can expect it to handle on and off pavement. Thanks!

 

Locked as in welded 3rds?

 

I really don't know if they're welded or not... I'll have to find out

 

Yeah, 3 different kinds of locked diffs.

-Welded/spool
-Automatic locker
-Selectable locker

Each has its ups and downs. Find out which ones it has, and determine if its what you REALLY want.

 

Should drive just fine but you should figure out how theyre locked and let us know what else its got before buying. Also if it makes a difference to you, this truck has most likely been wheeled (how hard and how much, we don't know) since it's been geared and locked and swapped to manual hubs. With 5.29s they probably have 35" tires with 5spd or 33s with automatic, 35s would need a lift or trimming to not rub. Lastly if it is still IFS, those 35s may have taken a toll on the steering. Other than that, sounds like someone has already done some good things to this rig if you're ever planning on larger tires and wheeling.

 

it has 33s with a 6 inch lift... very nice looking truck... the guy didn't take it off road much because his wife wanted to keep it nice. it is a manual 5 sp with 22re engine. he is a mechanic and put in new gaskets in the engine and it has a cold air intake. Im just nervous about the front being locked. I read somewhere that sometimes it's hard to steer off road or even on pavement. I'll try to contact him and see how it's locked!

 

They are automatic lockers on front and back.

 

steering a locked front can be hairy..sometimes it has a tendency to go straight when turning...a selectable is the ultimate option for a front locker on a truck that needs 4x4 on the road..

 

But that would only be when the front hubs are locked in correct?

 

yes, when the hubs are locked and truck in 4x4

 

I run auto lockers front and rear in my tacoma and really don't have many complaints.

 

Sounds good guys... I think I'll go ahead and get it!
thanks for the help~!

 

I have a welded front and off road in soft , slick or muddy ground no problem but turning can be tricky as in a normal turn may turn into a 3 point or more turn but then TRUE lock is great but it has it's trade offs ,

LOCKED on road FORGET IT , so hard to turn sometimes you can't even turn the wheel on pavement when the HUBS ARE LOCKED , unlocked just like any other car or truck on the road I daily drive mine 80 miles a day with out any issues on 35 x12.5 with 5.29's

 

Thanks for explaining that Harleyman! I shouldn't ever need to drive on pavement with the hubs in... so I'll be fine! Im excited to test the locks out as I've never been in a truck that has them! my bro has a 94 yota without locks... he's going to be a little jelous of the places I can go and he can't follow! hahaha