Locking Diff? And New Build Recommendations

Hi, I'm over in the Tacoma Forums either with this username or "kiteboarder" - I see someone here already took the kiteboarder name. Haha. Anyway...

I'm a lot more adept at Tacos, since I currently own one and have had one from every gen. However, I'm looking at the Tundra for my wife. I have a few question as I dive into getting more informed.

1. First of all, on the Tacomas, you choose TRD Offroad to get the e-locking rear differential. However, on the Tundras, it seems that apart from the getting better shocks, the TRD Offroad package is mainly all cosmetics. What's the deal with that? How can I get a locking diff from factory on these?

2. One important consideration for this truck is that my wife requires it to HAVE a bench front row seat. She doesn't wants the buckets, because she wants to be able to sit 3 people up front and 3 people on the rear sets at certain times. This of course means we CAN'T get the SR5 package, on any of the trims, because it pretty much replaces the front bench for buckets.

To be specific, this is what she wants:

1. 4x4
2. 4 full doors
3. Front bench seat
4. Black interior, not the grey one.
5. Quicksand is preferred.
6. Locking rear diff if possible.

I think that apart from that, most of the other things are all options that she may or may no want or need. I think that heated seats is a big plus... Heated side mirrors too.

Attached is a screenshot of what she's put together.

 

No locking rear diff from the factory possible. Got to get the ARB Air Locker. TRD Offroad gives you shocks, wheels, tires, and skids and LED headlights on SR5 models. Limited models it's under $100 bucks for the package when I bought my truck. Don't think you can get the bench seat anymore unless it's a work truck. Could be wrong though.

 

In Canada, you can only get a bench seat in an SR, which I believe you can only get in a 4x2 double cab. It does vary by region but you might have to confirm what's more important to you: 4x4 and crewmax or bench seat.

 

Yes, the Off-Road package on the Tundra doesn't get you too much. Just some (sort-of, the body is smaller) Bilstein 4600 shocks, some stickers, and different aluminum wheels. There's no locker that Toyota offers in the Tundra. You can get the Auburn limited slip for the rear axle, a Harrop e-locker for the front, and an ARB locker for the front and rear (I have lots of pictures and details of the rear ARB locker here if you're interested). Whether you get four doors from the Double Cab or CrewMax both are pretty large. The Double Cab Tundra is nothing like the Access Cab Tacoma. The CrewMax only gets a 5.5' bed option. Have either of you taken any test drives yet?

Edit: I embedded a photo of the stock differential case on accident.

 

Sr5 here with bench in front 4x4

 

Interesting. SR5 with bench huh! ^^^ nice. Thanks for the feedback. I discovered that there's not factory locker after reading a bit more today. Bummer. But I'll budget to go ARB then. I'll look more into which SR5 version keeps the bench, because on the Toyota configurator, all the ones I saw read, "replaces bench seat with buckets" (paraphrasing.)

 

I’ve got an SR5 4x4 TRD off road with the bench seat. If you get the SR5 w the upgrade package you loose the bench seat but you get the 38 gallon gas tank, bucket seats, and the shifter in center console. With the bench seat you’re stuck w the 26 gallon tank. To me, bench seat w column shifter outweighed getting the larger gas tank.

 

You don’t have to get an ARB locker. And judging from all the people who have trouble with leaks on theirs, you probably shouldn’t (unless you enjoy working on them). As user6 said, there are other and better options.

 

It is also a trd off road package I just de badeged/sticker.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/harrop-e-locker.65190/

Post #30 will get you the link

 

Harrop has Elockers for the rear now but due to a contract negotiation, Australian fires and the COVID19 enjoyment we have been living with the availability is not yet on track. I have had ARB lockers before and had the front out twice to repair the Engineering failure ‘O’ ring and once on the rear ARB locker. If wrenching is something you have to do every weekend then maybe the ARB is the way to go

 

Thanks guys, I'm not in a hurry for the locker. I'm happy to wait until all this mess settles. And I see, essentially I can get an SR5, just no upgrade package... to keep the bench seats (which also has the smaller fuel tank).

 

This may be a stupid question but if you sometimes need to move 6 people, would a Sequoia be a better choice? Or even a 3 row 4Runner if some of those people are small? Since the Tundra doesn't get a locking diff, I'm going to guess the Sequoia doesn't either. I'm not sure which 4Runner trims get 3 rows and a locking diff.

 

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-23994040-toyota-tundra-10-5-harrop-elocker.html

here’s how ya get an e locker for the tundra 10.5”. Only one made by harrop. Or hafta go with arb air

 

You will love it!

 

I'd be interested in adding a mechanical locker like the GMs have.

 

I believe that Auburn makes a limited slip for about 600

 

You can get the SR5 with the front bench and 4x4 but there is no factory locker and you won't be able to get the 38 gallon tank in this configuration. Maybe look at the Ford F150 as you can get that truck with all the things you and yours are wanting. Toyota simply doesn't offer a lot of options and instead focuses on packages with not many choices for change.

 

Unless one of your things you're looking for is reliability...

 

Yep...the venerable Eaton Detroit locker. I wish was it available for our 07's and up. I'd score that in a heartbeat!

 

Yep...two versions, street and the Pro. More than $600 I think plus install $ of course.

 

Ford F150 is reliable. Especially the 5.0. Do they have more issues? Sure, but they also build three to four times as many trucks as Toyota does