VIN Decode..incomplete, contradictory

When I go to toyota.com and enter my VIN, most everything checks out. I was there today just out of curiosity, to check on the LSD. I have the sticker saying I have it. I wanted to learn more about it so I did some searching, and one of the answers to the "do I have the LSD?" question I saw other people post is "look up your VIN".

My VIN doesn't say anything about it. Whatever. I don't see someone adding that sticker to a non-LSD truck, so I assume it's accurate. But looking at the specs from my VIN lookup, it reminded me of a seat contradiction. I've got leather bucket seats up front. But my VIN lists 60/40 split.

It's not so much that I worry something is fishy, but between the "your VIN will tell you if you have a LSD", and it not being there, and my seat info being wrong, it's enough for me to post about it...

Is this something people see fairly often with vehicle specs? Being a bit off what the actual truck has? Is there some other explanation? Certainly these seats are factory. They've got full electronic controls and I really doubt someone swapped things out. The truck, aside from LED exterior light upgrades, is completely un-modified in any way from stock.

 

Lift the rear wheels off of the ground and spin one of them by hand. It the opposite wheel spins in the same direction, LSD. If it spins in the opposite direction, open diff.

 

Thanks. I will check that out at some point, but I'm confident it has an LSD. I'm just confused about my VIN specs.

 

That VIN lookup only has basic OEM features, you must have an added trim package that's not on there.
My sticker shows an OEM bench seat, but the upgrade package has the bucket seats.
Although it does have the LSD as OEM equipment on my 2014.



So when I go to the VIN lookup, it shows the basic OEM bench seats.



It also shows the SR5 Upgrade package but doesn't say what that consists of.



This is from your manual..

 

gotta do that while the diff is warm, my lsd might be a bit worn, but *sometimes* when cool, my rear axle can pretend to be open, a little more resistance than full open, but they'll spin opposite.

 

Interesting.

Ok, so it was an add-on package thing, and what I get from toyota.com isn't complete. That makes some sense.

As far as living with the LSD, seems like the only time I even need to think about it is when I choose what oil to put in it. My Tacoma has the TRD package, which on that truck means a locking rear differential. With that, you have to understand how it works and how to activate it. But the LSD just does its thing. Is just pickier about the oil type, correct?

 

Correct. This is from the megathread and there are tons of posts about what to use

• If you have a LSD (limited slip diff) in the rear, there should be an LSD sticker on the back of your rear diff/pumpkin. If you see one, be careful which product you use to drain/refill. DO NOT use synthetic oil! Search the forum or ask.