1st drive in my 2012

I just bought a 2012 Tacoma TRD Off Road Double cab with 6 miles. It now has 306. Yesterday I took it over a local mountain pass (Bolam Pass). I took it pretty easy on the way over, trying to get a feel for where all my wheels are, what I can and can't drive over, etc. I'll admit that I was pretty impressed. It took the water crossings and land mines (mud puddles) like a champ. On the way back over I locked the rear diff and flexed it out a little more and pushed things a little harder. I had no real issues, never spun a tire, even when 2 of the 4 were off the ground. I do have just a few complaints, and I can't be sure they are 2012 specific, but:

#1 I want to be able to lock it up while not in 4-low

#2 I want to be able to turn traction control completely off, it caught me off-gaurd when I was sliding around a turn and the damn traction control took my truck away at 30mph.

#3 The mud-flaps drag when I drive over big rocks, they're nice and flexible so they didn't break or anything, I just hate wondering what is dragging.

#4 I smack my head on the curtain airbag thing.

on a related topic anyone know how to remedy problem 1 or 2 (I KNOW someone does) or know where i can find some shorty mud flaps? #4 is my own problem

Brand new to Tacomas, and Tacoma world. Been reading posts for a few weeks, love it. you guys rock.

PS- stereo is B.A. I think the front end looks mean, a Gen 3 would have been sweet. But I'm not complaining.

 

Welcoem to TW

Pics

 

Pictures we need pictures. I can't help to much with the newer trucks. But I don't think you can do anything with the locker or trac control. Cut your mudflaps or take them off. or custom ones. #4 you should just ware a helmet. Congrats on the new ride.

 

#1 - BAD IDEA. The only situations where you need to lock the rear should only be in Low range crawling situations anyways. Driving through something locked and fast is a great way to grenade a diff or break an axle shaft.

#2 - you should be able to hold down the VSC button until it blinks or beeps and it will turn off from what I understand. Don't quote me on that bc I don't have VSC but I'm pretty sure thats right.

#3 - Trim the front mudflaps. I took about 3 inches off of mine back when I had front mudflaps and they didn't seem to get in the way as much after I trimmed.

#4 - Sorry...wear a helmet?

 

#1 There is a mod for lockers anytime... requires a relay.

#2 While stopped, hold in the VSC OFF switch for several seconds (lights will come on). (read my link below on A-TRAC, etc.)

#3 Remove the flaps... they will break off sooner or later. Some here have sawed them shorter.

#4 Sorry, hasn't happened to me... maybe I am too short?

 

welcome! and there is a mod you can do to get the rear diff lock to work in 4hi 4 lo and i think 2wd. and in #2 i think you just hold the traction control button in for 3sec. but im not sure as i have an ’07 and it dose not have traction control.

 

#4 cracked me up!

 

Welcome to TW from Sparks, NV.
For mud flaps I trimmed 4" off front 1" off back. It helped alot and still have protection from road salt & sand.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods-9.html#post63249

 

You guys rock. This is the first vehicle I have owned with traction control. I'll give the 3-second rule a shot next time I'm out. Macgyver, I agree with you in almost every situation, I just really don't like my truck telling me what I can't do. I did find that after the seatbelt buzzer has its little bitch session that it does give up on you. (I don't wear my seatbelt off-roading because it jerks me around too much). Pics coming soon, the Girl has the camera.

 

I've been searching...and searching, I swear I found the thread on all the electrical business the first time I was on the site, now that i actually HAVE the truck I having trouble. #4 sucks. It almost put a damper on my drive yesterday but that was right before I got to drive through the river. I am 6'5 so its right at the perfect level. But who the hell puts that thing there anyway?

Thanks for the welcome. I CAN NOT WAIT to get this thing beefed up.

 

congrats on the new ride

seat belt buzzer mod:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/139914-2011-seat-belt-chime-mod.html
i'm not completely sure if it works on the 2012. I don't see why it wouldn't though

edit: the first method listed from the OP on that thread doesn't work for the 2011, and i'm assuming it won't work for the 2012 either. If you scroll down a bit to jhodge83's post, that method might work

 

A dremel tool will make short work of those mud flaps. Just trim them up or remove them altogether.

 

I think you're the very first 2012 on TW

 

Seat belt mod doesn't seem to work. The radio does a good enough job drowning it out while it lasts. The 3 second traction control off works though. hats off to you fellas

 

#1 locker anytime mod...http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods.html#post45412

other 2nd gen tips and mods
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/7174-2nd-gen-tips-mods-more.html

list of other goodies
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/deals-coupons/31623-list.html



oh...and this....

 

pics or it didn't happen

oh and welcome to the site

 

The Off Road 4WD Tacoma (2009+) has 9 drive modes available:

1) 2WD: VSC and TRAC active, engine regulated ('Limited Slip Lite').
2) 2WD: 'AUTO LSD' ('TRAC OFF MODE'). No engine regulation for 'strong' limited slip.
3) 2WD: 'VSC OFF MODE' (TRAC is off for 'open differential').
4) 4WD-Hi: VSC and TRAC active. No engine regulation for 'strong' limited slip.
5) 4WD-Hi: 'VSC OFF MODE' (TRAC is off for 'open differentials').
6) 4WD-Lo: VSC and TRAC are both off in L4 ('open differentials').
7) 4WD-Lo: 'A-TRAC' on gives a 'locker-like, super strong' limited slip, front and rear.
8) 4WD-Lo: Rear Differential Locked and open front differential (A-TRAC off).
9) 4WD-Lo: RR DIFF LOCK + A-TRAC on, 3 MPH limit.

BGrutter made this nice chart:

 

To go from 'normal' *or* the TRAC OFF (AUTO LSD) mode to VSC OFF MODE / Open Differential(s) follow the dark arrow and the instruction to press and HOLD the switch (while stopped) for 3 seconds.

Now, I count more than 3 seconds... but maybe I count fast... seems like 5 seconds to me!

So, while you CAN go into AUTO LSD while driving, you must STOP and then HOLD in the switch to turn off TRAC and VSC.

The Auto LSD (TRAC OFF) Mode can shut off if vehicle speed increases and the Open Differential (VSC OFF) Mode will go back to Normal Mode if your truck is going out of control.

Try it again... be totally stopped and just hold down the button for several seconds in H2 or H4 and see all the lights come on telling you VSC is off, etc. A quick press of the button will put you back in Normal mode or next time you start your truck, you will be in Normal mode.

In 2WD (3 modes):
*Normal Mode (TRAC & VSC) There IS engine output regulation in H2 TRAC.
*TRAC OFF Mode (AUTO LSD) There is NO engine output regulation.
*VSC OFF Mode (TRAC & VSC are both off) Open Differential.

In 4WD High Range (2 modes):
*Normal Mode (TRAC & VSC) There is NO engine output regulation in H4 TRAC.
*VSC OFF Mode (TRAC & VSC are both off) Open Differentials.

In 4WD Low Range (4 modes):
*Normal Mode is VSC and TRAC both off (Open Differentials).
*Rear Differential Locked (max. 5 mph recommended)
*Active Traction Control (A-TRAC)
*Rear Differential Locked + A-TRAC (up to 3 mph).

 

kudos to wheeling a brand new truck..well played.

 

Welcome to TW from Orlando!

We need pics!!

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