Rear Locking Diff, a requirement?

M

MuddyHunter

New Member
I live in Oklahoma. I don't rock crawl or get into much sand. but I find myself in mud quite often. I am not talking about running tank traps or mud bogging, more like flooded or saturated dirt roads and fields. I just want to know when I find my awesome, remote hunting spot, I am not going to get stuck going in or out. My question is, I am looking at an 07 Toyota Tacoma. 4.0L V6, 4X4. However, it is not the TRD package so it does not have the locking rear differential or Bilstien shocks. I have heard it makes a big difference on 2 wheel drive trucks, but do you think I will miss it on a 4 wheel drive truck? Some say yes, some say no. Opinions?

Some who say no argue that the locking rear diff takes power that could be applied to the front wheels. I am not sure how valid this is because you would be using power to spin the tire not getting traction.

So....Should I wait for a good used TRD to come along, or go for a good four wheel drive without it. Keeping in mind that I will not be adding an aftermarket locking differential later. If I don't get it with the truck I will be making do without it.

Thanks for your opinions, this is my first 4x4, so any info I can get is awesome. before this all my trucks have been full size 2 wheel drives.
 
thekidcatcher

thekidcatcher

Well-Known Member
If you arent gonna be doing any serious offroading at all then you would be fine without the locker. Especially in mud I have never had it at a point were it wouldnt let both rear tires sping anyways.
 
AlienXtx

AlienXtx

Nignog
thekidcatcher said:
If you arent gonna be doing any serious offroading at all then you would be fine without the locker. Especially in mud I have never had it at a point were it wouldnt let both rear tires sping anyways.
Click to expand...

What he said, biggest issue with mud is Tires Tires Tires!
 
fsbrain03

fsbrain03

Well-Known Member
I'm an okie, that now lives in Texas. I have Been in most of what Oklahoma could throw at me, with no problem. I did most of it in 4-hi. Never used my locker till I got down here in some rocks.
Where ya at in Oklahoma?
 
taco4x4rar

taco4x4rar

Well-Known Member
Skip the rear locker if you're only going to do mud, it just isn't necessary if you don't plan on doing something that will be picking a tire up off the ground
 
yotarob

yotarob

Kiss My IFS
Lockers make everything better. Requirement ...No, but it would still be better if you have one. What if only 2 tires where in the mud?
 
M

MuddyHunter

New Member
I am up in Tulsa, i run all over the NE quarter of the state on my misadventures. well I think i will try to find a locking diff if i can, but not rule out any 4x4s that dont. What is so special about the Bilstien shocks?
 
AlienXtx

AlienXtx

Nignog
IMO it's the ride quality and flex you get out of them, best bang for your $$$$.
 
drew02a

drew02a

Moderator
Staff member
MuddyHunter said:
I am up in Tulsa, i run all over the NE quarter of the state on my misadventures. well I think i will try to find a locking diff if i can, but not rule out any 4x4s that dont. What is so special about the Bilstien shocks?
Click to expand...

Nothing special about the ones that come with the factory TRD package. For a couple hundred dollars you can add WAY better ones yourself.
 
TacoXpo

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
I find them great when one or more wheels have nothing but air under them or on very steep climbs - used boof em this smorning leaving camp...

On another bs topic... this is what convinced me I should put my sleeping bag in the tent last night!

[video=youtube;z9oMf1Wlbwc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9oMf1Wlbwc[/video]
 
timmer

timmer

TLCA VP
scorpion is whats for supper !!
 
TacoXpo

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
Silverback

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
As it was said above.. tires tires tires.

Here is a vehicle with the wrong tires.
[video=youtube;nC0bW-k340c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC0bW-k340c[/video]
 
TacoXpo

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
One other way to look at it is "who do you want to wheel with and where do you want to wheel?" I typically wheel with, and get invites from similarly equipped rigs.
 
TacoXpo

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
BearsFan07 said:
As it was said above.. tires tires tires.

Here is a vehicle with the wrong tires.
[video=youtube;nC0bW-k340c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC0bW-k340c[/video]
Click to expand...


Too funny - I have a co worker that drives one of those and he thinks it would wheel the same places I can go but won't come with me. Yeah he rates as a f@cktard. I would love to get him out in some squeeze with that bitch!!!
 
yotarob

yotarob

Kiss My IFS
BearsFan07 said:
As it was said above.. tires tires tires.

Here is a vehicle with the wrong tires.
[video=youtube;nC0bW-k340c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC0bW-k340c[/video]
Click to expand...

Damn man. Give it some skinny pedal already!
 
TacoXpo

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
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