Diff lock question from a noob

[Rifleman]

A web site that I've provided a link to below may be where that 7% number came from. Here is a direct quote from that site.
quote "Lockers:
Front and rear lockers were available on American models from 1993 through 1997, including on the Lexus LX450. It’s been said that approximately
7% of the Land Cruisers produced for the American market had lockers. Earlier models did not have lockers." end quote

ExpeditionLandCruiserFZJ80FAQ

 

[-Spike-]

A web site that I've provided a link to below may be where that 7% number came from. Here is a direct quote from that site.
quote "Lockers:
Front and rear lockers were available on American models from 1993 through 1997, including on the Lexus LX450. It’s been said that approximately
7% of the Land Cruisers produced for the American market had lockers. Earlier models did not have lockers." end quote

ExpeditionLandCruiserFZJ80FAQ

It's likely that they got their info from 'Mud, that number has been floating around on here for probably longer than Expo has existed. In fact, they specifically state that much of the info in that FAQ came from 'Mud. Once again, it all may have originated from this post.

 

[studawg]

I have to pick truck up in Denver, my dad picked it up for me. So I guess my question is, without being able to see the car for another two weeks, the factory specs from searching the VIN on Toyota's website say "COUPLING CENTER DIFFERENTIAL FR & RR"

So with that in mind, unless they were somehow removed, does that mean that my cruiser should have factory lockers?

The VIN will most definitely tell you if it left the factory with lockers. Did you enter the VIN into Toyota.com/owners and see all the options it had? Ive never seen it worded quite like you posted, and Ive run a LOT of 80 VINs through Toyota.com. It usually says option code DL: Front and Rear locking differentials. Just googling the VIN won't give you info specific to that vehicle. That will sometimes yield ALL available options, which can make one think it had something when it didnt. But if it had them when it was born, and its not been salvaged or something, its more than likely still got them.

 

[subzali]

On mine the FR and RR are for the coil springs that follow immediately after the center diff viscous coupler. Front and rear lockers are clearly identified as a factory installed option near the top of the list.

 

[Rifleman]

Ive run a LOT of 80 VINs through Toyota.com. It usually says option code DL: Front and Rear locking differentials.

Just to check i ran my 94 with factory lockers through Toyota.com, it came up with the following discription for my lockers.
Quote " PORT OR FACTORY INSTALLED EQUIPMENT

• DL LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS W/ABS Factory " End quote

Just as an FYI, when i ran my vin number, Toyota.Com didn't list all the factory installed options printed on my window sticker. The 2 items that were missing on Toyota.Coms list were my trucks moon roof, and the leather trim package.

 

[bencallaway]

You're pretty worthless. The guy who answered the question in that thread has some decent bona-fides, might have a clue.

No you're worthless! Is that how this works?

That number was given to me by a TMS employee. I'm not at liberty to expand on that.

Maybe I chose the wrong word but I've read the thread twice and I don't see any definitive answer to how many 80's in the US came with lockers. I think 7% is low.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

There were exactly 12,983.7 3x cruisers in the USA, 17.379% to be precise......

 

[REKCUT]

Coffee hasn't kicked in yet. How do you get .7 cruisers

 

[Zjohnsonua]

Maybe I chose the wrong word but I've read the thread twice and I don't see any definitive answer to how many 80's in the US came with lockers. I think 7% is low.

I think Leonard is having a go at Ben since he wanted specifics.

Unfortunately, @bencallaway, it doesn't appear that fully supportive data has been made available, assuming it even exists outside Toyota. I'll personally roll with the data that Cdan provided.

 

[studawg]

Just to check i ran my 94 with factory lockers through Toyota.com, it came up with the following discription for my lockers.
Quote " PORT OR FACTORY INSTALLED EQUIPMENT

• DL LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS W/ABS Factory " End quote

Just as an FYI, when i ran my vin number, Toyota.Com didn't list all the factory installed options printed on my window sticker. The 2 items that were missing on Toyota.Coms list were my trucks moon roof, and the leather trim package.

Yeah thats because in 94 ABS wasnt standard yet which is why its worded like that. The OPs vehicle is a 97. Wonder if your leather was installed at the dealer? No explanation for the missing sunroof option.

 

[studawg]

I think Leonard is having a go at Ben since he wanted specifics.

Unfortunately, @bencallaway, it doesn't appear that fully supportive data has been made available, assuming it even exists outside Toyota. I'll personally roll with the data that Cdan provided.

CDan said that he got the 7% number simply from "someone who worked at TMS and couldnt elaborate any further". So who knows if that person was correct or not. In my experience, the percentage of 80s that Ive come across that were locked has been a little higher than that.

 

[Rifleman]

In my experience, the percentage of 80s that Ive come across that were locked has been a little higher than that.

I don't have any dog in this fight, but i can relay my personal experience while looking to buy my first Land Cruiser in the fall of 2014. I spent over 6 months looking, not only in my home state, i also used the internet to expand my search, but i only looked in southwestern states because i wanted a rust free truck.

During my search for every 10 land Cruisers i looked at, maybe 1 out of 10 would be 3 X locked. Now could that low number be because i restricted my search to only southwestern states, or to small of a sample size? I don't know, but trucks that were 3X locked were not very common when i searched.

 

[Marco Lau]

just turn the knob...engage both lockers and drive around an empty parking lot trying go in circle...you will know if you have lockers.

 

[-Spike-]

Coffee hasn't kicked in yet. How do you get .7 cruisers

You shut up. This is the interwebs, don't bring your logic and reason here, boyo.

 

[allan man]

 

[Cruzerman]

Here's your .7 locked Cruiser.