Question on rear diff
 

What can be done to get better traveling through a bit of snow on my '99 Pre Runner?
I only have 42K miles on her and she runs great and hate to sell her.
The 10 bags of 40lb top soil doesn't help much.
Is there a posi/limited slip rear replacement available?

Just to verify, you DO NOT have the TRD package, correct?

Correct

Yeah, you can get a LSD, a locking diff (ARB or Toyota e-locker), etc. There is a lot you can do, but it is going to be expensive.

Personally, I would try adding more weight and possibly changing the tires (depending on what you are currently running) before I started changing out the diff or adding a locker.

2WD trucks :nono:

I know it wouldn't be a great improvement but would be an improvement..

I'm running with new 265/75/15's Cooper H/T's.

Cost?

Well, you would have to check on the ARB price. Off the top of my head, I want to say around $1000 installed with a compressor.

As for the e-locker, you are looking at the same price range unless you can find a used one and install it yourself; which can be done. I did it.

A LSD would be much better for you I think, and those would probably be somewhere in the $400 range + install ($300?)

If you are convinced you need to go the locker route, you may want to also look into a better gear ratio. I am not sure what you are running right now, but if you want a little more pep you could get a "better" ratio for your needs at the same time.

By the way, driving locked on slick surfaces is an experience. The rear end will come around on your pretty easily, which is why I recommend the LSD for your application.

But, before you get into all this, you could also consider selling it and getting 4WD. Lot's of possibilities! :)

I'd go with the LSD.
Where can I get one?Cost?
I won't do the install but I have a friend who owns a repair shop.
How many hours on the install?

I love the truck.
It's cherry and Toyota Certified till 100K.
I know the rear LSD adding will void any rear diff problem coverage.

http://www.trdusa.com/SearchDatabaseResults_home.asp

4th one down. Price is steep, but you could find it for cheaper.

I would say 3 - 4hrs install time.

Thanks alot.
I'll look into it. :cheers:


$799 :eeek:
Doesn't say anything about a 4 cyl.
Only the 6 cyl.

Redvet - a LSD will help - but only so much. The tires are what grip the road - and all season tires in a 2WD Pickup usually just spin when the going gets tough. But a good pair of LT snow tires will make the biggest difference along with extra weight in the bed -

But really - in snow my taco when it is in 2WD is really terrible - if you can afford it the LSD and snow tires (plus more bed weight) would markedly improve your snow performance - but if you can only go with one - and it makes sense - get the snow tires (this might NOT make sense since you are in CA -you cant really drive around on dry pavement all the time with them as it will ruin their tread/sticky compund)

this is assuming you cant or dont want to trade it in for a 4x4 and not have to worry about all this.

hope this helps :bigok:

Very good points.
Both of you guys agree to go with the tires.
Seems like alot of money for LSD for a marginal gain.
I'll try the snows.
I'm in Jersey.

Thanks Guys..

also - a pair of tire chains would be a relatively cheap way to really ensure (along with the snow tires) little chance of ever getting stuck in all but the worst conditions. :P

Jon

Chains...they still sell 'em.:D

Looks like I'm gonna be the firestarter :) From my experience, first hand. Any locking rear or limited slip is more difficult to drive in the snow. You'll experience whats called "side step". In an open differential one wheel will hold the rear end of the car from coming around. That is why on vehicles with manual lockers it will only engage while in 4lo. Although you will have more traction in deep snow with a locker, I could never justify buying and installing a locker for the sole purpose of snow driving. I had an S-10 with LSD, and a Jeep Wrangler with Detroit. The S-10 had to be parked in the winter, and the Jeep would not even go in the lightest of snow without 4x4 to keep it from spinning out.

IMO I think the best thing you could do is it a nice set up all terain tires. BFG A/T's are my personal fav.

I agree with CynicX, I have the "grey wire mod" on my TRD where I can put the locker in 2WD, it's fun to play around with, BUT not meant for driving down a snowy slippery road, she'll come around on you fast.

i somewhat disagree with the above statements, i would rather drive the 4runner in the snow with a welded rear diff than drive the taco which is open, the reason is that Ive been in situations in the taco where i will be spinning one rear tire, then it will grab a little traction which causes the other one to start spinning which causes the rear of the truck to slide unexpectedly and abruptly, while in the 4runner the rear is more controllable, i can drive faster in the snow with the 4runner, and besides, once you get used to the locker in the snow, your fine

I've got great tires and 100 lbs of sand in the back and can pull a lot of snow in 2WD with an open diff. Last year with old tires I needed 4WD most of the time.