You do not have any controls over the locker. The locker locks automatically when it senses a difference in wheel rpm between the two rear tires. See the video for a description of it.

With traction control, pressing the traction control button will disable traction control, holding the traction control button down while stopped for a few seconds will turn off traction control and stabilitrak (stability control).

 

A short press of the 'skid' button on the center stack will disable traction control; a longer press will disable Stabilitrak fully until 35 mph (indicated tire speed). The locker will auto engage when it senses wheel slippage and disengage as speeds increase.

**edit; too slow dammit.

 

You will hear & feel the klunk as the rear Auotlock is "automatic". It's almost instantaneous when slipping of one rear wheel is detected. I'm still experimenting with my new Z71, but so far I love the AutoLock rear axle and the Auto 4x4 drive!

 

Got it, so it's an auto locker. I wasn't sure if it was an e-locker that I can lock in, like in the Tacoma. I just felt like I was getting 1-tire fire when everything was disabled (held button down for several seconds). Then it reinforced it when I was washing my truck there was excessive ice/mud buildup on the left side of my bumper and minimal on the right.

 

I've not yet tried anything with traction and stability disabled, so don't know if the G80 is also disabled:clueless

 

It's a mechanical auto locker; disabling the electro gizmos has no effect.

My old truck had no traction or stability control, but my new truck does. I'm still trying to evaluate if your statement is true.

It seems to me like Stabilitrac and traction control can apply the brakes when they detect wheel spin, to slow the spinning wheel. It seems like this could keep the rear tire speed difference below the value required to lock the rear differential.

Anybody care to chime in? I have not really done much off road / low traction testing with my new truck yet.

I would think that the electric gizmos would limit the times the G80 gets to strut it's stuff, but disabling the gizmos would just improve the chances of the G80 engaging.

So, diabling the Gizmos will not disable the G80.

In reality, does it effect the operation of the G80? Semantics, there may be an impact, but the G80 is not something you turn ON or OFF. If rear tires spin at different rates, within design parameters of the G80, it will engage. Gizmos just try to reduce the need for G80 to engage.

 

It's a mechanical auto locker; disabling the electro gizmos has no effect.

 

My old truck had no traction or stability control, but my new truck does. I'm still trying to evaluate if your statement is true.



It seems to me like Stabilitrac and traction control can apply the brakes when they detect wheel spin, to slow the spinning wheel. It seems like this could keep the rear tire speed difference below the value required to lock the rear differential.



Anybody care to chime in? I have not really done much off road / low traction testing with my new truck yet.

 

I just know on my 2016 tacoma everything was electronic, nothing mechanical and I hated it. If I wanted any form of limited slip I would get motor regulation. But going up a slight incline in my z71 in snowy/muddy conditions I held it at about 2500-3000rpm in 2nd gear for a couple minutes and it was sliding around quite a bit. But the amount of mud buildup on the left was far worse. So I assumed it was not locked and the sliding was just because of the conditions.

 

Just cuz both tires are turning at the same speed does not mean that you are still not slip-sliding away. The goal (hope) is that one of the tires will get a bite and keep you moving.

With build up on left side, I wonder if you are driving Australia on the wrong side of road. My right side is usually the messiest because that is closest to curb or edge of a road.

To me, 2500 RPMs in 2nd gear suggests you were really spinning the tires and a spinning tire will have a tendency to slide. The moment you start to spin tires, you have lost traction. Better to slow down a bit and let the tires get a bite.

My opinion of my OEM tires were that they were lousy for traction. Got great mileage, 70K out of them, but lousy traction.

 

G80 locks up if the wheel speed difference is over 100 rpm between the two back wheels

 

Does anyone know what comes in the front diff of the z71? Is it open diff or also some sort of limited slip?

 

It's a open differential .