Dealership thinks I have an LSD with a e-locker??

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Jan 30, 2026
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Location
sweden
Hello everyone!

Brand new landcruiser 100 series from 2001, 1HD-FTE owner here. Based in Sweden. I acquired a fairly clean example with about 200.000km on the clock a couple of weeks ago and I am looking to do some maintenance.

Went into the Toyota dealership to order all the differential fluid. Rear, transfer and front.

After pulling my information from my VIN number the clerk was adamant on that my rear differential wanted LSD fluid and that it has a Limited slip differential. I explained to him that I have an electronic locking differential and that I am unsure if that is an LSD also.

He stood his ground and made my question if I’m right or wrong in this. Can somebody please tell me if you have ever seen a 100 series with an LSD and also a factory E-locker?


Love the forum so far and appreciate all the help from you very knowledgeable people :)
 
Limited slip always has this sticker, which is very durable.

LSD pic.webp
 
+1 above two posts are correct. Also, adding a LSD additive won't hurt anything if the diff doesn't need it, so probably best to add it anyways.
 
+1 above two posts are correct. Also, adding a LSD additive won't hurt anything if the diff doesn't need it, so probably best to add it anyways.
Yes/no.
LSD fluids have a friction modifier. IE: for clutch plate style LSD's NOT the E-lockers. (and sometimes it costs a few bucks more)
Putting LSD Oil into a non-LSD housing/diff is fine, wont harm anything.
Doing it the other way around can cause problems. (again for clutch plate LSDs only) non LSD oil into a LSD diff.)
It wont "break" anything, but without the added friction modifiers the LSD locks and unlocks much more harshly.

BUT like I said, they sometimes cost more.
If it cost more that non LSD oil your just throwing money away. "so probably best to add it anyways." is BS.
It does nothing in the non LSD ones. You're paying more for nothing. (like paying a few 100 for a N2O bottle that just sits in your back seat. Not plumbed, just sitting there)

TLDR; Get what ever is cheaper and they have in stock but is also full syn.
LSD vs non LSD doesn't matter in our trucks.
 
Do you have a locker activation dial switch next to the steering column? If so, you have an e-locker. LX was the only ones to get an LSD, at least in North America, no clue in ROW.
I do have a locker next to the steering column. A factory one. Doesn’t work atm but when I turn it on the red diff lock illumination starts blinking in the cluster.

Have you ever seen a LSD paired with an E-locker also? Seems like that was not an option right?

Yes/no.
LSD fluids have a friction modifier. IE: for clutch plate style LSD's NOT the E-lockers. (and sometimes it costs a few bucks more)
Putting LSD Oil into a non-LSD housing/diff is fine, wont harm anything.
Doing it the other way around can cause problems. (again for clutch plate LSDs only) non LSD oil into a LSD diff.)
It wont "break" anything, but without the added friction modifiers the LSD locks and unlocks much more harshly.

BUT like I said, they sometimes cost more.
If it cost more that non LSD oil your just throwing money away. "so probably best to add it anyways." is BS.
It does nothing in the non LSD ones. You're paying more for nothing. (like paying a few 100 for a N2O bottle that just sits in your back seat. Not plumbed, just sitting there)

TLDR; Get what ever is cheaper and they have in stock but is also full syn.
LSD vs non LSD doesn't matter in our trucks.
I agree with this, the stealership wanted almost 300$ for just the oil to the rear diff. Since he claims it is an LSD.

But it seems like I can be quite certain that I can tell him that I just want the regular GL-5 Hypoid gear oil for the rear. Because you haven’t heard of an LSD also having an e-locker, right?

Sticker is not there, if it is there it’s covered under a very thick layer of undercoat. We salt heavily over here so it’s necessary.
 
I do have a locker next to the steering column. A factory one. Doesn’t work atm but when I turn it on the red diff lock illumination starts blinking in the cluster.

Have you ever seen a LSD paired with an E-locker also? Seems like that was not an option right?
Yes in a smart ass way. An E-Locker diff IS a LSD (Limited Slip Differential)
No because you physically cant. (Cause I assume that person meant clutch style)
It would be like telling someone you have a dry sump and wet sump on your motor.

I agree with this, the stealership wanted almost 300$ for just the oil to the rear diff. Since he claims it is an LSD.

But it seems like I can be quite certain that I can tell him that I just want the regular GL-5 Hypoid gear oil for the rear. Because you haven’t heard of an LSD also having an e-locker, right?

Sticker is not there, if it is there it’s covered under a very thick layer of undercoat. We salt heavily over here so it’s necessary.
Correct.

Types of diff
E-Locker (Electrical)
Air Locker (Like the ARB ones)
Torsen (Torque Sensing) (Gear style like in a FRS/BRZ/GT86/Supra/Celica/MR2/MX5/FD RX7/S2K/F450)
Detroit Locker (Automatic, good sometimes bad sometimes.)
Spool (Same as no diff, Like a Go-Kart)
Clutch Pack LSD 1-1.5-2way (THESE are the only diff that require that special LSD stuff and we don't have it.)
Viscous (Good when it still works...)

Come to think of it, I don't think any of the Toyota's/Lexus/Scion ever had a clutch style diff.
 
Look at your rear differential/third member, if you have this actuator assembly, you have a electronically selectable locking differential.
IMG_1385.webp
 
Just asking the question: is it a locker or a center diff lock? They are two different things.
I don't think you can have a locker and an LSD in the same diff.

I do have a locker next to the steering column. A factory one. Doesn’t work atm but when I turn it on the red diff lock illumination starts blinking in the cluster.

Can you take a picture of that button?
I think that it is the center diff lock.
 
Just asking the question: is it a locker or a center diff lock? They are two different things.
I don't think you can have a locker and an LSD in the same diff.



Can you take a picture of that button?
I think that it is the center diff lock.
I'd assume OP meant the rear E-Locker. (The knob)
1771344313268.webp

Since the Center Diff Locker is a button on the center console by the radio and not near the steering column. (To most people)
1771344346308.webp
 
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