'97 Limited rear diff lock question

[nu2me]

I just bought a '97 Limited 4X4 and the owners manual describes a rear diff lock, the procedure, the location of the switch, etc. Mine does not have the diff lock switch? Just curious if I might be missing something or is it not there? A little internet research seemed to indicate that the difflock was standard equipment on the '97 Limited.
Any help is MUCH appreciated!

[do the dew]

Nope, rear diff locks are optional, just like on the landcruisers. If you did have it the switch should be on the left or right of the steering column, I know the landcruisers have them on the left.

[nu2me]

Thanks for the reply!

[BCowley]

I have this on my 97 Limited, allthough by reading the owners manual I havent really gotten a good understanding of it. Is this something I would ever use, or is it something I would need if I went temporarily insane and actually took my truck offroad into mud and got stuck? Just was hopin someone could expliain this this feature to me in english.

Thanks and Happy New Year Everyone!
Brian

[nu2me]

Locking the rear differential is for the really nasty stuff...deep mud, snow, sand, etc. It physically locks both rear wheels together and eliminates the differential action that allows each wheel to turn at different speeds. If you never go off road, then the only time you would ever need it is if you got stuck in a ditch or something like that. Believe me...it is better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it! Wish I had it!

[Terra Runner]

yea. the diff lock should really be used if your really stuck, engaged in neutral and used only under 5mph

[Mrbikerman]

Nah, You should use it to prevent getting stuck in the first place. The areas where it helps the most are on inclines with dips that force your rear axle into flexing (articulation) and thus losing traction on one side, causing the the wheel that still has traction to lose all power going to it. If you enter a ditch at the right angle that would place your front left/rear right wheel on the ground, and having the other two suspended in the air, there would be no way for you to get out. With the locker, it sends the availiable power to the wheel that has the traction. ( I say wheel rather than wheels because the locker is only on the rear axle. You can get one for the front, but if you engage it on a slippery surface and both of your front wheels begin to slip because they are locked, you have little to no steering ability. If its an open diff in the same situation, on of the wheels would spin while the other just rolled along and tracked the surface, enabling you to steer.

I had a 4runner w/o one, and one with. I cannot tell you how much it helps to have this if you ever 4wheel the runna to its potential. I also thought they were standard with the limited option, but I havent really checked into it.