Locking Differential

[Jimmy Eaddy]

I have a 03 Tocoma TRD v6 auto, DBLCab PreRunner. My question is how fast can one drive when the locking differential is engaged? Noticed that the door panel mentions 5mpr. Can one drive at a higher in locking differential for a period of time or should it be used for just as stated on the door panel?

[Areku_x]

I would not recommend driving faster than 3-5mph than what toyota recommends, i driven faster than 5 miles but never faster than 10, I dont have any problems

[Jimmy Eaddy]

Thanks for your input! Good to know that it didn't damage at 10mph!

['03DC3.4TRD4X4]

More important than how fast you drive, or how long etc. is on what type of surface. The coolest thing about the prerunner is that you can engage/disengage the locker at any speed (provided your rear wheels are not turning at different speeds.) I could see running in sand dunes at 45 or 50 mph with the diff locked up-- no damage would occur. Or dry river washes in the desert or gravel mountain roads/fire roads. None of these surfaces will damage the diff at any speed.
The 4X4 versions are limited to 4low engagement. This can be overridden and safely used in the same manner as the preruner.
I would say do not use the locker on the street, even in the rain as this surface provides too much traction.

[suv]

Yeah, drive as fast as you want, it won't damage anything. The reason Toyota suggests going so slow is because with the locker engaged, the rearend is more likely to lose traction on wet or icy surfaces, and handling is a bit different. A safety/liability issue. I see no reason to have it locked on the street (unless you're stuck in snow), but I guarantee no damage will result by doing so except accelerated tire wear. I have a Toyota electric locker in the rear of my '85 4runner, and I cruise around with it locked on the slickrock with 37" tires all the time.

[tacomer21]

I wouldn't use that locker on a regular basis for no reason. Only use it for a good reason. The thing is that it tears up the tires pretty bad and there is a chance that you can snap the axle if you are on a road using the locker. My suggestion is that if you are doing something that requires it. Use it as a last resort.

[suv]

I'd agree with you, Tacomer21, on everything but the axle breakage. Toyota rearends use 30 spline, 1.31" dia. axle shafts - the same size as a standard duty Dana 60 axle used in fullsize trucks. I've seen countless trucks running 38" tires and locking diffs rally the crud out of their rigs on solid sandstone, and have only witnessed one broken rear shaft. That was my buddy Kelly, with his foot to the floor trying to hop up a 6 foot ledge in 2wd. I seriously doubt you could bust one even on purpose with 31s.

[tacomer21]

Thanks for letting me know that it has 31 splines. I didn't know that.

Does anyone know of a decent locker for the rear end (price/location)?? It would have to be unlockable like that Ox locker but it doesn't bother me if it is electric.

[suv]

Which rearend do you have? The tacoma non-trd axle is an 8.4", and takes different lockers than the 8". If it's an 8.4, the only selectable locker I know of is the ARB air locker. I'm not sure about this, but I don't think Ox or Detroit Electrac are available for these diffs. Also, you can't swap in a Toyota electric locker, since those are for the 8" housing.