2wd or 4wd on plowed roads

Full traction control will back down engine power. Auto LSD does not.

 

One thing that helps slippage is weight in the back. I've only owned access cabs so it may be different for double but with the long bed it performs better in 2wd with some weight. I always buy 2 sand bags and hook them up to the wheel wells. It makes it easier to back up a hill in 2wd or something like that. Also helps you grip from a stop in wet/dry conditions.
This might be an old school type of fix but I still use it and like it.

 

Okay, good. I was driving through snow and when it stopped snowing and I started to hit dry pavement I turned it back off to 2wd at around 60 mph. I didn't hear any clunking or have any problems. I just let go of gas and disengaged on a straight away. I'm assuming, I'm fine.

 

Oh, it'll let you know if it's binding. Acts like a dog hunkered up taking a shit. HNNNGGG!

 

Good, no shit here! I once tried to do donuts without pushing the trac control button and it gives that annoying GRRNNGNGN sound.

 

First time you hear that woodpecker it scares the shit out of you.

 

So this seems to be the best explanation from that thread (at least so far as I haven't read the whole thing). I think the bit about a-trac only applies to M/T. I'm assuming that it's sort of the M/T version of craw control.

 

Not exactly, which is why another member is going to build a chart showing everyone what they have and when it activates.
ATRAC is only on the TRD Off Road and the TRD Pro.

 

Auto LSD does not turn off above 30. In my truck, the auto lsd stayed on no matter my speed. I was going over 60 too. Now the traction control will activate once you go above 30, and will deactivate once you go below 30. At least that is what my truck was doing.

 

Cool, looking forward to anything that helps clarify.

I have a TRD Off Road but no ATRAC. As I understand it, ATRAC is on M/T and Crawl Control / MTS is on the A/T. Maybe not a direct replacement, but you only get one or the other.

 

You are correct. That's a definite mistype on my part.

 

According to the thread I referenced earlier ( where there is a reference to the chart hiPSI alluded to and a beta version of it for A/T ) - TRD Offroad ( and the PRO of course ) is the only trim that has A-TRAC in crawl control/MTS in A/T and as as switch in M/T. SR5 and other variations have a weaker traction control on by default and switched off via the TRC/VSC button.

 

So, follow up question.

I noticed that if I gunned it a bit when in 2wd on snowy roads the real wheels slip and the traction control kicks in. Expected. When in 4wd in a similar situation the traction control doesn't kick in nearly as easily. basically much more traction. Also expected.

What I'm wondering about, and this is where my understanding of 4wd is still developing, aren't the front and rear axels locked together and have to spin at the same rate? Can the rear wheels even spin faster than the front? In other words, is part of the added traction of 4wd that it's harder for a wheel to break loose?

I'm sure I'm still misunderstanding this so any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

The gears in the front/rear diffs spin at the same speed. The individual wheels can spin at different speeds (open diffs), unless you have a locker(s) engaged.