adding limited slip to '00 Tundra

[Steve King]

Hey folks -- I've done some searches but am still a bit confused....

I have a 2000 Tundra 2WD LTD. Great truck. But, I often tow my 4500lb boat, and on some ramps, I must admit I have problems with slipping. I have to either have bystanders stand in the bed, or on my rear bumper, or else really plan carefully for high tide, etc -- neither is much fun.

I'm thinking that one problem, is the 2000 Tundra's don't have limited slip differential.

1) How much would this help me on slippery boat ramps? In general?

2) It seems possible to add LSD using some $440.00 part by Eaton. Is this true? What kind of $$$ are we talking for installation? I'm certainly no mechanic, and would need to get it professionally done.

Many thanks, all, and have a great New Year.

Steve

[H2O_MAN]

Hey Steve,

Check this thread you will find a link to the Kazuma/TRD/Eaton LSD for $230.00

Yes, an LSD will help you in general and on a boat ramp.
The LSD is second only to a locker when it comes to traction.
Installation can run $500.00 @ the dealer. DIY or indi shop and save.

Good luck.

[TRDKEAU]

get a ARB locker and have full power to the rear and a compressor as well

[KLS]

Steve,
Is one wheel spinning on the boat ramp, or both? If one wheel, a limited slip differential will send power to the non-spinning wheel...but may make both spin if both have equally slippery traction. If both are already spinning on the ramp, an LSD will not help.

The LSD comes in two forms...one is complete, ready to bolt in, and costs more. The other requires set up by a competent differential specialist. It costs less but the labor is more.

I'd suggest contacting your dealer and local differential specialty shops for out-the-door prices.


Ken

[Steve King]

Originally Posted by KLS

Steve,
Is one wheel spinning on the boat ramp, or both? If one wheel, a limited slip differential will send power to the non-spinning wheel...but may make both spin if both have equally slippery traction. If both are already spinning on the ramp, an LSD will not help.

The LSD comes in two forms...one is complete, ready to bolt in, and costs more. The other requires set up by a competent differential specialist. It costs less but the labor is more.

I'd suggest contacting your dealer and local differential specialty shops for out-the-door prices.

Ken

Ken, it's hard to say...I'm almost always behind the wheel, and usually
once traction breaks, it's gone, and it seems both wheels are spinning.
No fun -- I wish I had 4x4. Don't get me wrong -- a lot of ramps are just
fine, and the Tundra pulls nicely on the road.

I assume the $229 version pointed to by '7.62mm' is the 2nd version of
LSD? I called a small Toyota specialist shop in my area, who I typically use for service, and they quoted something like 10 hours of labor (@$75) to
'do it right', which would put me at around $1k. I doubt they've ever done this before; not to a Tundra, certainly.

I don't really have a spare grand to toss in, for an experiment (just had to pay parts and labor for two 02 sensors which just went bad on the truck), but *if* LSD will pay dividends in general driving situations, *and* help with most of the ramp situations, I'd sure consider it.

I realize this is a tough question to answer.

Sounds like a need to start calling some shops, too, and find a place that specializes in this.

[TRDKEAU]

Get a ARB full locker, cheaper than a grand and you could possibly re-gear @ the same time w/out paying for labor.

[Steve King]

Originally Posted by TRDKEAU

Get a ARB full locker, cheaper than a grand and you could possibly re-gear @ the same time w/out paying for labor.

I'm sorry, TRDKEAU -- that's greek to me.

A full locker? This is something I'd engage manually when I needed it? Otherwise, I'd never notice the thing?

A couple of heavy sand bags in the bed of my truck, for days when I use the ramp is beginning to look better and better. <sigh>

[TRDKEAU]

sand bags or better tires would be the first step I would take.

The ARB locker locks your rear differential providing equal amount of power to BOTH tires when locker is enegaged thru a air compressor. A switch is mounted in your dash panel to lock and unlock rear.

But... if your only concerns are the couple of days out of the year, try LSD or the bags.

Some say a 2wd with full lockers might be as beneficial as a 4wd with a open diff in some cases.

[eapthien]

Take a look at the Powertrax no-slip locker, this might be a good fit for you and installation on these is fairly simple.

[mmarlatt]

I have three questions that maybe someone can help with.

1) I have a V6 with 4.08:1 gearing would adding the LSD change my gearing?

2) If it does change my gearing what would a 3.92:1 do to me in a V6? The 3.92:1 gearing is what the manual says for a V8 with LSD.

3) The Tacoma TRD Prerunners have a rear differential locker. Can this locker be installed in a Tundra? Would I want to even consider installing it?

Thanks,
Matt

[arkie6]

Originally Posted by mmarlatt

1) I have a V6 with 4.08:1 gearing would adding the LSD change my gearing?

In general, no. The TRD/Eaton LSD unit and maybe some other aftermarket units that retail for ~$300 do not contain the ring and pinion gears and therefore require considerable setup of the gear mesh via shims and bearing replacement when installing it (read that as probably not DIY unless you have done it before or have a factory shop manual and are an above average DIYer with lots of tools). TRD did offer an LSD on exchange basis that included the entire differential "pumpkin" which includes the ring and pinion gears already assembled. This retailed for around ~$800 plus a core exhange and required that you send in your old pumpkin to get your core back. I would consider this LSD swapout DIY.

Originally Posted by mmarlatt

2) If it does change my gearing what would a 3.92:1 do to me in a V6? The 3.92:1 gearing is what the manual says for a V8 with LSD.

Not a big change in gearing, but I wouldn't recommend going in that direction, especially if you ever consider putting larger tires on the truck which will effective raise your gear ratio (equivalent to lowering the rear differential ratio #) or pull a load.

Originally Posted by mmarlatt

3) The Tacoma TRD Prerunners have a rear differential locker. Can this locker be installed in a Tundra? Would I want to even consider installing it?

Nope, won't fit the Tundra. Different size (smaller) differential entirely.

[mmarlatt]

Very good info, thanks!