Can the vin# tell me if it has diff locks?

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bhicks

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I found an LX450 that is in amazing shape with low miles. I called and asked the seller if it had the diff locks. He told me the car is his moms and he didn't have access to the car until Wednesday. I want to try to get an offer going on it so he knows I'm serious but would like to know if it has the lockers first. That's the deal breaker. He gave me the vin which I ran and found out that his mom is the original owner and has maintained it to perfection at the local lexus dealer but I need to know if there is some website I can just plug a vin into and see all the options the car came with .
 
no. check the FAQ, there is a how to tell checklist
 
If the guy can't figure out where the data plate is he should be able to tell you if it has the rotary selector switch to left of the steering column.

I've heard that some have found Cruisers with the switch but no physical lockers present at the diffs, but must be the rare exception than the rule. Until you actually see it then you won't know for certain.

You'd have to make the seller an offer pending your inspection, including confirmation of lockers anyway. This really goes without saying, because lockers or no lockers you have to see the Cruiser for yourself to verify its condition, regardless of its maintenance history.

Good luck with your hunt.
 
Technically yes, as if you give a dealer the vin it will pull up your exact car with all the options it had on their computer. I'm not sure how joe blow can do it though.

But as stated above, the axle code will end with a 4 if it has lockers.
 
Open the drivers door, there silver is a plate with codes K294 lockers others are open diffs, LSD
 
A vin its usually coded the following way.

vin-decode.gif


So unless you have access to a database which has a record of your vehicle serial number specifically. <-- (A toyota dealer might.)

I don't think you can decode a locking Diff from here.

But as stated above, on the driver doors info plate, you do have a DIFF code that would definately tell you!
 
Dont even trust the vin. Physically look for all the components yourself if possible. It could have started as a locked rig but someone could have easily swapped out parts. Happened to a guy here a few weeks ago.
 
Locker verification

Crawl under and have a look at the hardware. Sometimes there is a switch but do lockers......I'm the guy it happened to! Ouch!!!!:o:mad:
 

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