VIN Code TRD Package / Electric Locker?

[Howard70]

Hello:

Is there a portion of the VIN code that tells if a Tacoma has the TRD offroad package, or more specifically the electric locking differntial?

We lost our 2004 Double cab to a drunk driver and we're shopping for a replacement. As I search the Internet I often find ads that fail to specify those details but the VIN is included in the ad.

I've found quite a bit of VIN information, but I've been unable to figure out the two points mentioned above.

Thanks for any help. When the frustration with the accident has lessened I'll post the story - the ironic punchline is that Heidi was driving the truck home from Colorado to New Mexico after having a bunch of work done at Offroad Solutions when the accident occurred. We were planning a great post on the truck with it's modifications!

Best Wishes,

Howard L. Snell

[kcowyo]

Sorry to hear about the accident, hope everyone is OK.

You cannot tell from the VIN # if a vehicle has the TuRD package or an e-locker. If you want to "decode" a particular VIN #, use this website - Decoding a Vehicle Identification Number (http://www.analogx.com/contents/vinview.htm)


Here's some Toyota VIN # info I had saved -

Digit 1: Country of Manufacturer
J = Japan; 1, 4, 5 = USA; 2 = Canada

Digit 2: Manufacturer
T = Toyota, N = NUMMI (joint venture between Toyota and GM)

Digit 3: Vehicle Type
D, X, 1, 2 = Passenger; A, B = Truck

Digit 4: Body Type / Drive Type
Trucks, Std Wheelbase (Tundra?): J = Std Cab 2WD, K = Std Cab 4WD, R = Ext Cab 2WD, B = Ext Cab 4WD
Trucks, Short Wheelbase (Tacoma): N = Std Cab 1/2 Ton 2WD, P = Std Cab 1/2 Ton 4WD
Trucks, Long Wheelbase (Tacoma): S, V = Ext Cab 1/2 Ton 2WD; W = Ext Cab 1/2 Ton 4WD

Digit 5: Engine Family
L = 2RZ-FE (4 Cyl), M = 3RZ-FE (4 Cyl), N = 5VZ-FE (V6)

Digit 6: Engine Series
0 = 100 or 200; 1 = 10 or 110, 2 = 20 or 120, etc.

Digit 7: For Trucks, it's trim level (for Cars, it's SRS classification)
On Tacomas in 2000, all are "2" except for the Limited edition, which is "4".

Digit 8: Model
N = Tacoma

Digit 9: Check Digit (computed from other digits)

Digit 10: Model Year
X = 1999, Y = 2000, 1 = 2001, 2 = 2002, etc.

Digit 11: Plant Code
0-9 = Toyota Japan, C = Canada, S = Indiana (US), U = Kentucky (US), Z = Fremont CA (US)

Digit 12-17: Serial Number

Hope this helps but I know it kinda doesn't - :beer:

[erin]

I found a site a few years ago that broke down all the vin plate codes regarding gearing etc. I will look tonight and see if I can find it for you.

[erin]

Try these two, I'm pretty sure these will help:
www.brians894x4.com/gearratioandddiffs.html
www.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/

[Ursidae69]

I still can't belive that drunk hit your D-cab on the way home from ORS... The drunk drivers in this state are horrible...

[flyingwil]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

There is no way to determine a true TRD from the VIN. You have to look at the pictures VERY close. The locking differential is the only tell tale of a true TRD, so look for that Locker Button! From what I have have read there are a few non TRD Tacos in the DEN area that came factory equipped with the e-locker, other than that if it has the e-locker it is a TRD.

You can also look at the shocks, and rear axle. If the seller does not post a picture of the Locker button, you can also look at the Drivers side door, it will have the locker warning sticker on it.

Another hint is to look at the shifter column, I have seen many adds where it is a prerunner and they advertise it as a 4x4 because it is taller than the PUPs.

Good Luck and happy hunting!

[Howard70]

Hey:

Thanks for the suggestions & comments. For a short time I thought I'd found an indirect way to get at the locker question via the "series" digit (position 6). However, that looks inclonclusive.

Thanks also for the observation that there were some non-TRD trucks with the electronic lockers. I hadn't realize that, and we may have found one after your pointing them out to us.

Best Wishes,

Howard L. Snell