A-trac in 4lo on all 2016 4x4 Models Non Trd Offroad

Eric, thanks for the world of advice earlier today. This new set up TOYOTA came up with for non lockers is sounding better every day. I feel the 20 grand feeling. The 2008 was the OR that got abused. I kept the B’s just in case back then when I swapped out to the 5100’s. I think eventually I’ll install them.



And I remember doing a breather mod. Possibly moving it higher? Foggy memory. This is the one that I took off(?) and replaced if I remember correctly.



Looking forward to some 4 wheel action.

EDIT: I remembered just now. It was for the rear pumpkin. I remember a hose being involved to raise the breather for fording.

 

I just want to say thanks! The manual is pure crap when it comes to explaining the TRAC functions. I thought it only had Auto LSD and TRAC Off.

Today, I cycled through them on my 2017 Sport with MT (also seems to apply to 2017 SR and SR5 with MTs):

2Hi
Quick Tap: Auto LSD
Stopped and Held: TRAC Off

4Hi
Once Engaged: No lights
Quick Tap: TRAC Off
Stopped and Held: TRAC Off and VSC Off

If TRAC Off is shown in 4Hi and switched to 2Hi, TRAC Off and VSC Off stay lit.
TRAC Off and VSC Off stay lit at least up to 45mph.
TRAC Off will not work once moving at some speed.

4Lo
Once Engaged: VSC Off
Quick Tap: No Change
Stopped and Held: TRAC Off

Confirmed that 2017 Sport MT has TRAC in 4Lo.

So, 2017 Sports seem to have some gizmo crawling goodies in 4Lo also.

 

If l am not mistaken, l think on the Sport you just have the Auto LSD and VSC, when pressing the button it allows you to get the tires to spin versus having the engine cut power.
Agreed the Manual sucks!

 

I do need to test 4Lo to verify. I know it doesn't have A-TRAC, but from what @Thechief86 said about his SR, I kinda got excited.

The 2Hi and 4Lo lights were confirmed. I just forgot what I saw in 4Hi.

 

I should add that in the almost 4mo and a bit over 3,000mi, I haven't really been off road, mainly because I didn't have a tow strap and a set of shackles until a couple weeks ago. I got stranded this summer on my motorcycle. That's a looong story with many, many mistakes made by me. I'm avoiding a repeat of that situation.

I did get through a decent but small mud hole up to the frame rails playing with 4Lo. There I didn't hear the ABS system do anything, but I don't think I spun.

We had some decent snow a few weeks back. I played in a parking lot for a while testing everything that I knew at the time to feel out the truck. Just messing with the button in 2Hi. I didn't hear anything happening when on that gas in 4Hi. But being in a small lot, I didn't get very sideways in 4Hi. That would match what was said about VSC above. It was either off or left a good bit of yaw before engaging?

 

Eric, this system rocks. I just tried it in reverse on a steep curv that had dew. Yellow squiggly lines near the squiggly off one turned on and up she went. No slippage. Made a cool noise. Always needed 4H on the OR’s. Although my ‘12 had it. I just never learned how to engage it. Or maybe it wasn’t automatic as far as pressing a button. I’m cloudy on the ‘12 I’m enjoying the ‘18 so much!

 

To Eric and his descriptions, who lessened the pain for many who either didn't have a locker/atrac anymore or never owned one. Many of us researched and stumbled across this thread wanting to know what exactly auto lsd was because of being locker less. Which actually was mistaken originally as Atrac in this thread, and I don't blame them for it. The manual is not comprehensive enough. David's stuff helped me understand too. But yes, I can confirm Eric's findings. Add traction to all 4's, because two of the wheels are getting optimum power while the other two are being braked and yet, are still adding traction to the climb.

Wheeling at Hungry Valley earlier today and conquering the steep hills with ruts (as some of you know) on 4LO was just an awesome experience. Much like the locker/Atrac but that steady motion, quick grip feeling goes beyond the 3 mile per hour range and actually can hold its own strongly and is entirely a different sensation. This Auto LSD is such an awesome system I too am second guessing a rear locker. I researched ARB and Detroit Locker like crazy wishing not but a week ago. Wishing no more. I don't miss the '12 OR anymore. The climb was detailed and controlled. When I started to climb the first steep hill, with a rush of excitement, everything started out great and she was climbing. Then at one point it got steeper and I thought, "Later days, this is looking like too much for dual open diffs." But all of a sudden, BAM! I heard a tone and it climbed that hill on all 4's. What a rush. The way it kicked in and climbed was described correctly. It was as if "it had legs!!!! Like Eric described. Hard to explain the rush of that feeling. It's not like Atrac because it goes beyond the 3mph range and maintains the climb very very well. It's a stout system. Was on the street destinations that came with the SR5 4x4.

 

I pulled a Duramx 2500 pickup out of the ditch in 6" of snow last night, and the auto LSD astonished the guy in the big truck, first by pulling him onto level ground, and then by driving up the same hill that he had just slid back down and into the ditch, to get home safely to my family.
The Z71 Chebby has a locker from the factory, and he had comparable tires to mine.
Tacoma SR, for the win.
Makes living on top of the ridge just that much better.

 

Haha! Amen to that brother Eric.

I can't wait to help people out here because this system is A LOT stronger than I'd imagine people first thought.

 

The best part brother! Mentioned it in another post. It’s like having a pre runner and 4x4 rolled into one Taco. Cool beans.

2WD with AUTO LSD engaged.

 

That's an interesting pattern. Is that result of alternating traction with the brake being applied by the LSD system? Just loose sand, right? I wish we had some areas that dry around here for dirtbike adventures...

Another neat thing:
Today the wife and kiddo went for a ride with me on the unplowed, unsalted roads to go get some breakfast, and I got pretty sideways coming around a curve just a little too hot.
Once I got ALL the way sideways, VSC stepped in, and straightened the truck right out, automatically, and overrode my hoonage.
This was in 4hi, with no buttons pushed.
I was quite impressed by this, haha.
There is some serious engineering going on when the truck can sense the steering wheel being almost to full opposite lock in a mostly controlled drift, and straighten itself out perfectly, keeping everything nicely planted on the road.
What a cool thing.
This is the first opportunity I've had to play with this system in the snow, and I must say, I like it pretty good.
I left my lifted, locked, v8-swapped hilux in the driveway, as well as my Miata daily driver, in favor of my nice new pickup, which faithfully got my family and me anywhere we wanted to go, including some of the unpaved spots I love to check out on my days off.

 

Yes, loose and just a tad moist. Wonder what kind of magic is going on, but I saw rooster tails coming from both rear wheels. That was only 1/3 of it! I wasn't driving. I had the misses and she went for it, LOL. She got squirrely, but she said the brake system did not come on (vsc?).

 

Yes, the engineering is amazing. We are literally driving and wheeling a bad ass truck. Your stories are tops! Thanks for sharing. Cool stuff.

 

Interesting, the right track went just a tad further when she rolled off the gas pedal some.

 

It took me half a tank to confirm, but my 2017 Sport MT has TCS in 4Lo. I've been driving around my area looking for a good spot to flex the suspension with no luck other than too soft drainage ditches. So yesterday, I took a drive up the pass and found some snow, which was a bit of a challenge since the roads were bare and the FS roads were closed for winter sports and snowmobiles only. Snowy parking lots were no luck as I wasn't getting enough differential wheel spin. I finally found a good turnout on a hill. I put two wheels on the road and two in the snow in 4Lo. I romped on it in 2nd gear, the TCS light lit up, and I rolled along as if all four wheels were happy.


I am wondering, given that I don't think there is a 3rd Gen TRAC checklist thread if it would be good to either start one or edit the first post in this thread with checklists for the SR5, OR, and Sports? I think those are the only models discussed in this thread so far?

 

Mine is a base model SR with a 4 cylinder, 5 speed, and 4x4. It does the same stuff.

 

That is excellent! Now, I am wondering if this was a change for the 2017s or if the 2016s were the same?

 

I have used all the features on my MT TRD Sport as well. It sounds like there are only two 4WD systems:

1. SR, SR5, TRD Sport, Limited (in both the 4 and 6 cyl versions)
2. TRD Off Road, TRD Pro

I would like to see a chart of what each system does and how it does it. Maybe it is located here somewhere?

I know the big differences: Option 2 has CRAWL, MTS, Rear lockers, ATRAC. This is in addition to Option1 having:
4HI
4LO
VSC
TRAC

What am I missing?

 

“Like it had legs.” The member who started to classify all modes for all models for all members doesn’t believe us. Too funny. Makes me think of the movie, The Hurt Locker.

 

The other factor is AT versus MT. A-TRAC is only on MT ORs.

All of these systems are based on ABS and electronic throttle functionality. Most of them (thankfully) don't cut engine power when functioning, like it did on our old FWD turbo cars. Actually, the first thing they did was cut power, which dumped the boost. It was stupid and potentially scary.

The big deal is how much programming goes into each function and what sensors they are using (inertial, yaw, wheel speed, etc.).

A-TRAC > TRAC, but I have no solid facts as to how and why?
Auto LSD: rear wheel sensors. Brakes engaged to stop wheel spin
TRAC Off: wheel spin allowed
VSC: stability control to keep you tracking along. Seems to be nice and liberal.

On all 4x4 Tacos, 4Hi and 4Lo are not functions of the computer system. They are purely mechanical with the transfer case and front and rear diffs. The beauty is that the TRAC system aids in how they work and you can turn them off if you feel like it.

Engaging 4Hi and 4Lo is computer controlled. This is very annoying and a different subject. I'd love a twin stick and manual hubs, but that is not possible. 2Lo would be a beautiful thing also.