do i need differential locking?

[umarali]

hi,
i am looking for 100 series and most i find out there doesnt have differential locking switch, i just cannot decide if i should buy one with differential locking or without one? why i should or shouldnt... any and every input will be appreciated//

 

[hks3sgte]

You don't need it...
What are you primarily going to do with your LC?

 

[umarali]

You don't need it...
What are you primarily going to do with your LC?

its gonna be my daily driver and also for long trips. but i dont think im ever gonna take it on different terrains. what does differentials do anyways? that lil switch of differential is just very tempting to me...lol

 

[re_guderian]

If you're not going off-road much, then it shouldn't be a determining factor. Only came on '98-'99's anyway, then replaced after that with ATRAC on '00-> onward, which works OK for the occassional off-road traction needs.

 

[Anthony.L]

Only came on '98-'99's anyway, then replaced after that with ATRAC on '00-> onward, which works OK for the occassional off-road traction needs.

Bingo. The reason you have only found locker switches on very few vehicles is the fact factory rear e-locker was only available on the first two model years of the 100.

I will argue ATRAC is more than OK for more than occasional off-road. I've done several local trails rated as "more difficult" with ATRAC and never been let down. You can find lots of discussion on the pros/cons of ATRAC by doing some searches, so I won't rehash it all out here.

My personal opinion based on your stated use for the vehicle, go with a 00+ ATRAC model and don't look back. If you find a 98-99 in good condition, then that works too!

what does differentials do anyways?

The switch is a rear electronically activated differential locker. You can Google search for differential locker and find endless amount of info/videos/etc. The basics are the differential is "locked" into a single solid axle so both rear wheels receive the same amount of power.

 

[umarali]

Bingo. The reason you have only found locker switches on very few vehicles is the fact factory rear e-locker was only available on the first two model years of the 100.

I will argue ATRAC is more than OK for more than occasional off-road. I've done several local trails rated as "more difficult" with ATRAC and never been let down. You can find lots of discussion on the pros/cons of ATRAC by doing some searches, so I won't rehash it all out here.

My personal opinion based on your stated use for the vehicle, go with a 00+ ATRAC model and don't look back. If you find a 98-99 in good condition, then that works too!



The switch is a rear electronically activated differential locker. You can Google search for differential locker and find endless amount of info/videos/etc. The basics are the differential is "locked" into a single solid axle so both rear wheels receive the same amount of power.

i myself is looking for something 2000+ year but i found this 1998 130k miles for $6500 n im going to look at it in the morning i hope it desnt have any leaks or other issues besides worn out leathr n center consol being absent ...

 

[mechanixhorseman]

n center consol being absent ...

lol, what?

 

[Layonnn]

I have found that in most cases, if you have to ask if you need lockers, you don't need them.

 

[rusty_tlc]

its gonna be my daily driver and also for long trips. but i dont think im ever gonna take it on different terrains. what does differentials do anyways? that lil switch of differential is just very tempting to me...lol

The differential transfers power from the drive shaft to the wheels. Inside the differential a set of planetary gears allow the two wheels to turn at different speeds. During a turn the inner wheel travels along a smaller arc so it covers less distance. Without the differential the inner wheel would "hop", to prevent this the differential planetary gears transfer power to the wheel which is turning faster, ie the outside wheel.

In a low traction situation the wheel with less traction turns faster will get more power. A locking differential allows you to lock the planetary gears which causes the differential to send the same amount of power to both wheels.


ATRAC systems use the ABS sensor to detect wheel spin and apply braking power to the spinning wheel. This causes the differential to send more power to the wheel with the most traction. One could argue that this is actually better than having a locking differential.

This is a good video that explains how differentials work