Hi,
Just wondering if all toyota tacomas with the TRD package come with the factory rear differiential lock button. The years I was looking at were from 1996 -1999. Thanks, any information would be great.

Craig

 

The 98 TRD is the first year that comes with the locking rear diff. I have a 98 and it is a great truck

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe some late 97's had this option as well.

Josh

 

Whatever year you get, make sure that the locker actuator is there. People can slap on a TRD sticker and even a locker button easily.

 

Yeah....make sure it works too. You'll hear it engage if it does work. I had a 2001 TRD Taco and I wasted the locker on it. $900.00 for the part and install...good thing I bought the extened warranty.

 

My 99 TRD Tacoma has it. I've only had to use it once EVER though.

 

Anybody have any problem with the actuator not disengaging fully? my driver side wheel locks up under braking, I have the diff apart, seems ok any thoughts? 2001 trd
thanks

 

The diff lock should have nothing to do with only one wheel locking up while braking.
If the diff lock was still engaged then both wheels should be locked up!
My guess is that you have a leaking axle seal on the side that is locking up. The leaking oil will mix with the dirt and brake dust and make a sticky glue like mess. The brakes lock up when aplied.
This is a fairly common problem. replace the leaking seal. REPLACE YOUR BRAKE SHOES as they are now oil contaminated. when oil contaminated the brake lining is compromised and will eventually just crumble away. Hence NO BRAKES.

also be sure to check the diff breather. make sure it is not plugged as that is a common reason for leaking axle seals. if you find that the breather is plugged replace the seal and the brake shoes anyway.

Another possible cause of locking up brakes is a brake that is over adjusting or a ceased up e brake cable. ether way the wheels need to be pulled and they should be checked asap for safety sake.

 

i think your missing the idea of what a locker does

it LOCKS THE AXLE, in other words both tires are locked to each other. if the left tire spins then the right tire will spin, if the right tire is locked up then the left tire is locked up

he is saying with the locker engaged he can lock one rear tire up and the other still spins









as for that problem, i would check the teeth on the locker real good, also with the 3rd out but assembled send voltage to it and see how it acts, maybe the actuator isn't working right

 

I think i have the idea down very well.
Maybe you dont understand what i was referring to with my advise.
This is what i was replying too

1 wheel locks up under braking!

 

Thanks everybody, very good info. I forgot to mention that the deciding factor in pulling out the third member was going down some steep rocks and hearing telltale clicks and thunks, then jacking the thing up and finding out I can spin the drivers side wheel forward a quarter turn then I gotta spin it backwards a bit to unlock it. Anyways, I found a little sand in the actuator, I'll clean the whole system out, throw it back together. However if anyone out there has a problem with the actuator, you can get pneumatic lockers fer around the same price as a new actuator (sorry minus the compressor and the new carrier bearing but that ain't that much considering it might be a better setup) Thanks again everybody

 

Right and wrong.
98 was the first year of the TRD package. However, the rear diff locker was an option on 95.5-97 Tacomas.