[Mez]

I got a set of 4.56 7.5" r&p to go along w/ the rear 4.56's the previous owner installed, I ordered the master install kit from PORC as well as a front lock right.

Ive seen posts of people saying "you wont be able to turn" etc.. Any input on that? I think a locker up front will be awesome, but dont want to take away my ability to turn in 4x4 if I want/need to. I have manual hubs for reference.

Also, am I able to drive (to work, etc) without the front diff on the truck? I was thinking of taking out the front diff, cv's and the front driveshaft from the transfer case for however long it takes to install the gears/locker. Better safe than sorry!

Thanks

 

[texascoma]

I would think you could drive without the short CV axles not stuck in the control arm but the real problem you have is that road dirt can get into the front bearing area. There are seals on the inner side of the outer CV joint and the locking hubs or plate has a gasket to keep the road crap out from the outer side. In other words, just because it is possible, I don't think it is a good idea. My only reference is my 98 soooo. Hope this helps.

 

[Will Knox]

On a ADD the CV's hold the preload on the wheel bearings. Not sure about the manual hubs though.

 

[ToyoTaco]

Ive seen posts of people saying "you wont be able to turn" etc.. Any input on that? I think a locker up front will be awesome, but dont want to take away my ability to turn in 4x4 if I want/need to. I have manual hubs for reference.
Thanks

If you're buying to install a full mechanical front end locker....the answer is yes it makes steering harder (even an ARB becomes more difficult to handle). In fact, off road the front end will tend to want to steer itself....so you'll be wrestling it when off road. If you ever have used your 4X4 stock Taco for street use, like in the rain or snow, you'll find you can no longer lock up the front end and drive safely on the street....if you do you'll probably end up breaking something in the front end...if not running into something you didn't intend to hit.! Full front end lockers are not a cool factor issue...they really are for very serious off road use only. I don't know if there is a limited slip front end application availabel for your truck....but that would be a much more beneficial expenditure then the full locker.....that is unless your planning on turning your Taco into a serious off road machine....IT THAT'S THE CASE....THEN GO FOR IT.

You ask...how the hell does he know.....I've done it to two trucks in the past. First an '84 Bronco 4X4 running B.W. 4 speed manual with a built inline 6 (300), full locking rear end and limited slip front. Loved that truck and wish to this day I'd never sold it (the limited slip front end made it easy when off roading...and the sixer wound out like a freight train). In '93 I got a Ford F250H.D. 4X4 with ZF 5speed and 5.8 V8, spent over $60 grand on that truck and ended up with full detroit lockers front and rear (that was hard to do with a Dana 50 front end too). After all the mods were done, it ran liked a raped ape....but was it a chore when off roading....the front end would get away from you if your weren't paying attention and I could never lock the front end on the street...unless I was intending to go absolutely straight with no turns at all. I was literally wrung out after a day of bouncing around and wrestling the front end. I imagine the Taco wouldn't be as tiring as a big old behemouth like my old 250....but I suspect that unless your really going for serious off road competition, you'd be better off with either leaving it open or going to a limited slip (if one's availlable).

 

[Mez]

Thanks alot for the reply. I think I'll sell the lock right that's coming from PORC, and just put in the 4.56's themselves and keep the front diff open for now. I go back home (lake tahoe) a few times a winter and wouldnt want anything bad to happen on the street in the snow, I also like being able to turn in 4wd. Maybe i'll get arb's front/rear.

 

[ShowStop]

I have manual hubs for reference. Also, am I able to drive (to work, etc) without the front diff on the truck? I was thinking of taking out the front diff, cv's and the front driveshaft from the transfer case for however long it takes to install the gears/locker.

You can drive without the CVs on a manual hub vehicle, but not those equipped with ADD. Be sure to cover the back of the spindle to prevent dirt and crap from contaiminating the bearings.

 

[Mtnfrk79]

you can drive ADD trucks w/o the front diff. Im doing it right now and its fine. the only thing is i had a few broken CVs in my garage and just used the outer shafts (all gutted out of course) and bolted them in like normal. Its worked for close to 1000 miles!

 

[hytenor]

I got a set of 4.56 7.5" r&p to go along w/ the rear 4.56's the previous owner installed, I ordered the master install kit from PORC as well as a front lock right.

Ive seen posts of people saying "you wont be able to turn" etc.. Any input on that? I think a locker up front will be awesome, but dont want to take away my ability to turn in 4x4 if I want/need to. I have manual hubs for reference.

Also, am I able to drive (to work, etc) without the front diff on the truck? I was thinking of taking out the front diff, cv's and the front driveshaft from the transfer case for however long it takes to install the gears/locker. Better safe than sorry!

Thanks

you will hear both sides on this one. A selectable front locker is best but pricy. Trutrac makes a front gear-driven LSD that is a great addition for most applications but not so hot for rock crawling. (I had one for a year or so).
Steering will be difficult but managable from what I've seen/heard from the guys I wheel with on a regular basis. Dale ran the Rubicon with Lockrites f/r with IFS and had no issures. Mike Ross runs them as well in his SA rig.

personally I wouldn't want a full-time locker up front which is why I got the ARB.
Frankly, you can learn how to pick lines so that you seldom even need a front locker in most situations. Deep snow is an exception, however. A front locker or LSD really makes a difference there. Trails with big rocks that get front tires airborn is another time where a front locker is nice.

 

[Mike]

Steering will be difficult but managable from what I've seen/heard from the guys I wheel with on a regular basis. Dale ran the Rubicon with Lockrites f/r with IFS and had no issures. Mike Ross runs them as well in his SA rig.

Two-low is nice when you have a front lockright! I use my twin stick constantly out on the trail.

Later,
....Mike