96 Tacoma - Locking differential?

Prime

Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Location
Apex NC
I read that some tacomas in 1996 were equipped with a locking rear differential. Its hard to google for more information as most results are for aftermarket differentials.

Can anyone confirm this, and if so how can I tell what is on my truck?
 
Prime said:
I read that some tacomas in 1996 were equipped with a locking rear differential. Its hard to google for more information as most results are for aftermarket differentials.
Can anyone confirm this, and if so how can I tell what is on my truck?
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Look for a switch on the dash? Check the owners manual for location.
 
I dont remember seeing a switch, but I will look. Is the appropriate axle model 8 inch for these trucks when looking at aftermarkets?
 
The button will be on the drivers side of the steering wheel. And actually yours is too old to have it from the factory. (Started in 1998 I believe and was part of the TRD off road package which also came with Bilstein shocks, progressive rate springs and really cool stickers.) Also the regular Tacoma rear end is different than an e-locker one. E locker was based off the 8 inch that came in the hilux (here up to 1995 and still sold in the rest of the world.) Non e-locker Tacoma rear ends are totally different and nothing is interchangeable. It's very easy to identify an e locker as it has a bunch of gobblty gook stuck on the side of the diff next to the driveshaft.
 
So I know that you need to keep the same gear ratio between your front and rear differentials or bad things will happen.

Does that mean that if I were to buy an auto locker rear diff, I would have to get one for the front also, or am I able to use the same ratio in the new locker on the rear?

I know I am blowing up the noob thread, but theres a lot of information out there to gain! I like having things like this planned out ahead of time.
 
You could buy a locker and have it installed in the rear without having to do anything to the front. However if you were to by a whole pre-assembled diff with locker, gears, etc you would have to make sure that the gear ratio matched your front
 
If you put some sort of locker in the rear you aren't changing the gear ratio. No need to put one in front. I wheeled my 96 for a short time and did fine with no lockers.

Best investment though are some sliders.

Is yours auto or manual?
 
Just another idea for you to think about. Your axle can be modified to install the e-locker. I prefer being able to unlock since I drive my trail rig on the road.
 
96tacolx said:
Just another idea for you to think about. Your axle can be modified to install the e-locker. I prefer being able to unlock since I drive my trail rig on the road.
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I'm not too sure it can. I had the diff out of a Tacoma and it was totally different than the regular 8 inch diff. Hole size in the housing was way off, not just "notch it here and weld and tap a hole"
 
Check out what ARB has to offer. Air lockers are wonderful on-demand lockers that are very reliable.
 
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