I'm buying a '98 Tacoma that has wires running to the rear diff housing at the top. However, there isin't a push button on the dash to activate it, like I've seem in other trucks. Does it lock automatically in 4L? Don't mean to ask what may be deemed a newbie question, but this is my first Tacoma with the diff. lock option. Thanks to all in advance.

 

No, it should have the switch on the dash (or somewhere else if they moved it for some reason). I don't see why anyone would want to wire it to come on automatically with 4LO and take away the ability to engage/disengage the locker at will. I think the axle was probably swapped with an e-locker axle at some point and it was never wired up.

 

I agree. It's confusing to me. The Truck is not a TRD, and there is no aftermarket switch on the dash anywhere. Maybe you're right, and someone swapped in a locking diff at some point...but why no activation method. Very odd.

 

Wires running to rear diff housing on top? Probably ABS...

 

That's the answer. Now I feel a little a little dumb, but at least I know I'm not going crazy. Thanks, toyota4x4907. It's also my first rig with ABS, so I guess that's what cornfused me.

 

Hehe. You're welcome

 

In my defense, the dude I'm buying it from told me that it had the locking rear. When I questioned him for the lack of a dash switch, he assumed that it was automatically engaged in 4L. Didn't seem right though. Now I know for sure it wasn't. Thanks again for clarification.

 

Check out the link for e-locker diffs. An e-locker has a fairly obvious electric motor stuck to the side of it.

http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

 

Thanks for the link to the page on diff identification, RobD.

 

My pleasure. Everyone had to start somewhere. Welcome to Yotatech.