2004 tacoma

[jscusmcvet]

As of this Friday my wife and I will be the proud owners of a 2004 Tacoma 4 door prerunner. We are happy to have it, as even though it has clearly seen some "truck" use... it has only 70k miles. What I am looking for is info on a locker for the rear. I come from the Jeep world and have installed lunchbox lockers before, and think something similar would suit our needs just fine. Is there such a thing? Got any links?

John

 

[RememberTheFallen]

Welcome to the Tacoma world!

Just bought my fourth last month.

If it is a non-TRD model then it will not have a locker (if it is a TRD then it has a factory electronic locker). Unfortunately the TRD axle and non-TRD are two completely different axles. You can find a wrecked TRD and take the whole axle and swap it over or use an aftermarket locker in your stock axle. ARB makes an air locker, Detroit makes a full mech locker, and there are a couple of insertable lockers.

If you plan on doing front and rear with regear then I would look at the ARB setup. Just the rear and cheap? Lunchbox locker. Just the rear and have some time then I would find a TRD rear axle.

EDIT: see it is two wheel drive.


Good luck!

Joe
S\F

 

[jscusmcvet]

Thanks Joe. I have installed "lunchbox" lockers before, so I think I am going to head that route, as you suggested. Keep it simple and inexpensive. Won't be taking this truck off road in the traditional fashion, but will be used daily around our farm by my wife. I can see plenty of stucks if I don't do this and upgrade the tires. We were looking for a 4wd, but the low miles and condition of this one made it the way to go. The idea was to get her something she can use around our small farm and that we can also use for camping and family stuff. Double Cab Tacoma fit the bill since she was not interested in a full size truck.

Picking it up on Friday. Just happens we are buying it from another Marine. Thanks for the advice. Semper Fi.

John

 

[Martinjmpr]

I thought the "pre-runners" came with the rear locker?

Or all ALL 2wd 1st gen DC's called "Pre runners?"

 

[RememberTheFallen]

I thought the "pre-runners" came with the rear locker?

Or all ALL 2wd 1st gen DC's called "Pre runners?"

All of the 2wd trucks that have the same suspension as the 4wd drive trucks are called Pre Runners. Don't know what they call the low riding 5 lug trucks.

Only the TRD PreRunners had e-lockers.

 

[deadbeat son]

You can pick up inexpensive lockers for the Toyota from a few different makers.

Aussie Locker:
http://www.aussielocker.com/index.php/aussie-locker-xd-21230.html

Lock Right:
http://www.powertrax.com

Detroit EZ Locker:
http://wew.eaton.com

 

[jscusmcvet]

All of the 2wd trucks that have the same suspension as the 4wd drive trucks are called Pre Runners. Don't know what they call the low riding 5 lug trucks.

Only the TRD PreRunners had e-lockers.

The TRD version only had the locking rear diff.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Thanks for this. Any preference with any of these? I installed Spartan Lockers before but they do not make one for this particular Toyota.

You can pick up inexpensive lockers for the Toyota from a few different makers.

Aussie Locker:
http://www.aussielocker.com/index.php/aussie-locker-xd-21230.html

Lock Right:
http://www.powertrax.com

Detroit EZ Locker:
http://wew.eaton.com

 

[deadbeat son]

Thanks for this. Any preference with any of these? I installed Spartan Lockers before but they do not make one for this particular Toyota.

I honestly have no experience with any of the above. I believe the Aussie gets good reviews. It's inexpensive, has a good warranty, and is made in the US. From a quick google search it sounds like it may be a bit stronger than the others. Again, this is all hearsay, I have never used it.