What is the best 4x4 setting for sand?

Yes, and as long as you don't have ATRAC engaged it will act like an open diff under this setting.

 

I have the same truck. The best for what you are suggesting is to do the Yellow Wire Mod. This will allow you to have TRAC in 4Lo. It is a snap and a snip to perform and will vastly increase the performance of your truck.

Search Yellow Wire Mod and you will not be disappointed.

 

Right, if TRAC and VSC are off, by holding the button down, it's essentially an open diff.

 

Yeah tapping it turns off VSC and then it goes into "auto LSD", which is supposedly like having a real mechanical LSD but works by articulating the brakes or something. I've left that on many times and haven't had a problem, it's the VSC that kills you off road...

 

Honestly I haven't really noticed that much of a difference between TRAC on and TRAC off... Some people here swear by it though.

What I really want to do is whatever the grey wire mod is called for 2nd gens... I had a TRD Offroad Prerunner before, and I could run the locker in two wheel drive at any speed. Now that I have a 4WD, they won't let me turn it on unless I'm in 4 LO??

 

Oh Gabe you've been missing out...hahaha

Next time you're on flat dirt with and open space, hold it down for 3 seconds, keep it in derprunner mode and hammer that GO pedal with a full lock steering wheel. Guaranteed good time!

 

The problem with driving in 2WD in sand, even once you have started moving, it that a lot of the time your front wheels won't roll over the sand as well, and it will start to "plow" the sand in front of the wheels. Not always happens, but it happens often enough that you should always drive in 4WD when in soft sand. Better to use it properly, then wait until forward momentum stops, and then hope that you can get unstuck. Soft sand is NOT very forgiving. Just my experience in driving in sand.

 

Meh, I've been offroading in sand my whole life living in Arizona. You're right that 4WD gives you more traction, and that soft sand is not forgiving. I guess I live life on the edge I had a prerunner before, and even it did ok in the sand once I got a feel for the truck. The most important thing you can do 2WD or 4WD is air down as low as you feel comfortable with.

 

2019 TRD OR. Let see if driving on sand (air down -15lbs), if using 4H , turn Trac-off (OK for Auto LSD) unless brakes get hot/brakes smoking. Then turn off Auto LSD. Stay in 2nd gear.

if using 4L (turns off everything) Stay in 2nd gear. If need under 5 miles per hour driving engage LOCKER.

Third if struck? Use crawl control, sand setting and maybe a medium speed? Once free turn off crawl control. Drive in either 4H or 4L.

is this correct?

 

2nd gens don't have crawl control

 

ARB air locker for 2nd gen (front ) is highly recommended plus you can add the compressor to air up tires. OK major complaints of ARB air lockers is leaking hoses. You can purchase aftermarket braid line hoses (custom made) that will be stronger.
Truetrac I believe makes a limited slip for the front diffs for 2gens. Tacomas.

one limited slip is better then none.
Two limited slips is better then one limited slip
But one locker will alway be better then two limited slips
Two lockers , this is king, but learning to use them correctly is a must.

The crawl controls they say is great for if the Tacoma gets struck/ tires buried in sand
2nd good thing is hill climbing up loose gravel roads.
3rd (best for) climbing down loose gravel or steep roads

The Tacoma factory lockers (3gens) can only be use for under 5 miles per hour, and once free and clear, they recommend to turn it off ASAP. Useless over 5miles per hour if you have to turn off. Very disappointed.

ARB air lockers can be run with any speed, but not on turns and streets. Best to stay under 25 miles straight line driving / or on sand, mud, if lockers is on. Best to read about ARB lockers pros and cons.

 

4hi, 20 psi’s or less