New TRD Pro w/ Front & Rear Lockers

Can i ask what benefits does this provide if you are not 4 wheeling the truck. Any type of benefit on pavement under normal driving conditions.

 

During normal driving, I do not engage the lockers. These are not LSD’s, so having them locked on pavement will be annoying because it makes turning a pain in the you know what. Off-roading is where these puppies shine.

 

Gotcha, thats what i thought. I just didn't realize that many Tundra owners wheel there trucks. I just don't, cuz i don't see the point in paying 48K for a truck to go out and scratch it up or worse, brake something that will cost major money to fix.

Thanks

 

I need to get that hook-up. Haha

Well done.

 

Very interested in this setup. I am trying to make my Pro completely off-road capable and I feel like the lockers are a must.

 

Absolutely a must! Best $5k I have ever spent on modding a vehicle. My buddy who helped me and works for TMC told me that Toyota “cheaped out” and didn’t put lockers initially because they felt that the average Tundra driver wouldn’t need it and went with a software based setup (Auto LSD) for traction. I was told the TRD division did experiment with lockers in their USA proving grounds, however, the R&D time and money wouldn’t be justified with the optional purchase. Personally, I feel that for the amount we spend on our Pro’s, they should have come with lockers from the factory.

Now, one thing I will say is....be ready to bust your knuckles and bleed working on the front differential. That thing is a son-of-b***h to take out, crack open, and put back in. For dedicated shops, it might be much easier, but if you do it like me and work in the garage, your hands will be sore for days.

 

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

 

How difficult was the rear and would it be a good idea to just do that one?

Personally I saw in some other posts that somebody said "I'll do it after I get stuck" - so far that hasn't happened to them... after doing some research I'm weighing putting the $$$ into a locker versus other trail worthy mods... decisions, decisions...

 

Between the two, the rear was vastly easier to do. Reason being is that all you do is; put the rear end on stands, disconnect the drive shaft, pull out the axles, unbolt the differential, and your good to work on the differential on a workbench. The front is a different animal altogether. Took me a whole day just figuring out how to lift the front end high enough to work on it. Mind you, I had help from someone who literally works on the development of these cars helping me greatly (super appreciative). I would not recommend tackling the front by yourself, take that to a shop.

As for the cost....again if you do the work yourself, expect ~$5k in parts. You will also need new shims and seals regardless of the age of the truck....since your already in there. Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Hehe...this is a job you need a skilled set of eyes watching your every move.

 

We’re you able to find the part list needed for this mod? I’m going to do the rear and would love to know what all you needed. I’m just gonna stick with stock gearing as of now but a selectable rear locker would really help out on my new land we purchased.

 

I thought all Tundras even the TRD PRO have a transfer case instead of a center differential locking or not?

 

All Tundra 4x4’s (3rd Gens) have an automatic transfer case going to two open-style differentials with Auto LSD’s from the factory. Auto LSD is not a “real LSD” per-say, it’s software that actuates the brakes on each side to act like a real LSD. It works great for normal driving, but not the best for tough terrain. A big heavy truck like the Tundra needs as much mechanical-based traction as possible. So, this mod basically converts the open-style differentials to lockable mechanical differentials.

 

All you need now is a supercharger!

 

#TRXKiller

 

Welcome to the forum. I love learning about things like this so thank you for sharing. I hope to do this in the future.

 

I’ll look for them this weekend. Sorry, I’ve been dedicating alot of my time to the new toy...

 

Thank you, I’m trying to decide between the electronic locker and the air. More I read the more problems I find with both. I own a Honda repair shop but we work on quite a few Toyota’s too. You don’t see a lot of those cars out there anymore, that looks like a clean one for sure.

 

Definitely go electronic lockers. Air lockers are stronger by design, but not that much stronger. The problem with air lockers are the headaches related to leaks. Everyone I know who runs air lockers has had (at some point) air leaks ranging anywhere from the compressor to the locker. The e-lockers are more reliable and no need for a noisy vibrating pump to engage....just a 12volt source. If you don’t use the relays, you can make a momentary-to-latching circuit (I posted a circuit example in this thread).

 

Nice toy!!

 

Thanks...I wasn’t really looking for one, but after offloading some stagnant stocks (market will probably tank soon), and came across this clean example....figured the Supra would be a better investment in the interim.

 

Jealous. Been looking for a supra project for over a year. Prices of them just dont add up for me though

 

I hear ya’....the rule of supply and demand definitely applies to the MKIV’s....and will soon apply to the TRD Pro 5.7’s . Hang on to your 5.7 Pro’s people. There are way better modern sports cars out there for less, however, the 2JZ is tough to beat...even by today’s standards.

 

I did my gears not to long ago and made this up to save blood.

 

Smart man.

 

I believe 100 series LCs had a rear elocker too. Very rare but they do exist

 

Yes, and the 80 series LandCruiser’s came with locking diffs....but I am not sure the latest ones (200 series) did. I was talking about cars being sold by Toyota today, but man do I love the old school LandCruisers.

 

Could not agree more. The Pro's should have a rear locker. More people might wheel them if they did.

 

Here are the part numbers for the switches I got:



I will find the receipt for the pigtails and post them soon as well.

 

Typically you would not lock the front without the rear, but there are times / places where you may want to. https://youtu.be/sT5ds14mD10

 

I agree, but I was told by my buddy (who works for TMC) that it’s not recommended on the Tundra because the weight of the vehicle exceeds the load limits on the front differential. Will it break right away, probably not…but I avoided it.