I have less than 24 hrs to sign away on a 99 Tacoma 4×4, and I need a
few opinions on something thats bothering me.
First off I live in the Northern Oh area with lotsa snow. Now do I
have to have a locking rear diff option on my 99 Tacoma before I can
safely drive in the snow? I need to know if I’m buying a truck thats
going to be worthless once it hits a patch of ice…..
I know the option is available in the TDR pack, and also an alacarte
item.
I had an ’86 Trooper 5spd with 4wd and I never had a problem gettiing
stuck in anything
through many winters, and I dont think it had a locking diff.
Dazed and Confused,
j.s.
johnny socko <robotACTIV…@webtv.net> wrote in article
<1360-363366C8…@newsd-144.iap.bryant.webtv.net>…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> I have less than 24 hrs to sign away on a 99 Tacoma 4×4, and I need a
> few opinions on something thats bothering me.
> First off I live in the Northern Oh area with lotsa snow. Now do I
> have to have a locking rear diff option on my 99 Tacoma before I can
> safely drive in the snow? I need to know if I’m buying a truck thats
> going to be worthless once it hits a patch of ice…..
> I know the option is available in the TDR pack, and also an alacarte
> item.
> I had an ’86 Trooper 5spd with 4wd and I never had a problem gettiing
> stuck in anything
> through many winters, and I dont think it had a locking diff.
> Dazed and Confused,
> j.s.
No you don’t need a locking diff. Usually this is an item for serious
4wheeling, not the normal stuff that 99.5% of driving
the average person needs. Here in the Syracuse area <108ft ave snow a year>
I drove an 85 Toyota 4×4 without a hitch
for years. For that matter, most people I’ve seen and talked in our shop,
don’t have the foggiest notion how or when to use
the lock diff feature. Go ahead and get the 99 Tacoma your looking at. As
far any snow driving conditions, common sense,
moderation, and speed make up for ANY options on any 4×4. Have fun!
Hans/Baldwinsville/NY
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
johnny socko wrote:
> I have less than 24 hrs to sign away on a 99 Tacoma 4×4, and I need a
> few opinions on something thats bothering me.
> First off I live in the Northern Oh area with lotsa snow. Now do I
> have to have a locking rear diff option on my 99 Tacoma before I can
> safely drive in the snow? I need to know if I’m buying a truck thats
> going to be worthless once it hits a patch of ice…..
> I know the option is available in the TDR pack, and also an alacarte
> item.
> I had an ’86 Trooper 5spd with 4wd and I never had a problem gettiing
> stuck in anything
> through many winters, and I dont think it had a locking diff.
> Dazed and Confused,
> j.s.
–
You’ll do just fine, the locking rear diff is for "extreme" conditions
and is to be used when your stuck in 4WD, then lock it up, remove
yourself and then unlock it. I have a 98 Tacoma TRD and the reason I got
the TRD was because I HAD TO HAVE the locking differential, this is
truly a neat option and is unique to these rigs and 4Runners. It works
as a conventional open differential, so its safe in snow, quiet etc, but
if its needed, it will lock both rear axles together as one!
Rick Jones
Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician/ASE Master/L-1
http://www2.netcom.com/~ssauer40/webpage.htm
*****************************
It is said that Bill Clinton is considering changing the Democrat
Party Emblem from the donkey to the condom, because it stands for
inflation, protects a bunch of pricks, halts production, and gives
a false sense of security while being screwed.
>I have less than 24 hrs to sign away on a 99 Tacoma 4×4, and I need a
>few opinions on something thats bothering me.
> First off I live in the Northern Oh area with lotsa snow. Now do I
>have to have a locking rear diff option on my 99 Tacoma before I can
>safely drive in the snow? I need to know if I’m buying a truck thats
>going to be worthless once it hits a patch of ice…..
> I know the option is available in the TDR pack, and also an alacarte
>item.
> I had an ’86 Trooper 5spd with 4wd and I never had a problem gettiing
>stuck in anything
>through many winters, and I dont think it had a locking diff.
> Dazed and Confused,
> j.s.
Lockers can be pretty dangerous in the snow. The rear end likes to try and
move to the front end…….So I would say don’t get it. The TRD option with
the locker is nice because its switchable but limited in its range. If you
actually offroad a lot then it might be worth it…but remember about the snow
(and ice/wet surfaces). You can always add a Lock Rite (through the TRD
catalog or aftermarket) later on.
They used to be called station wagons; now they are called SUV’s: Suckass
Useless Vehicles,,,good for humping parking lot speed bumps…. but seldom seen
out with the real trucks on the trails……
Toyota rules offroad! To reply remove —>> Toyota