2017 TRD OFF ROAD Rear Locker

That's one of the downsides of the manual tranny is no MTS/CRAWL..or push button start... just Atrac.

 

ment it more like an S bend while driving, turn a little to the left or right to cause a little differential action and then straighten out so you stay on the trail.

 

All Tacoma differentials (since 2009) are open (no internal limited slip clutches).

The electronic/ABS brake-created limited slip system in 4WD (TRAC) works ALL four brakes. So, yes... the front has limited slip as long as you do not turn the VSC OFF.

In L4 (low range), the second gens do not have any TRAC except for the Off Road TRD which has the even stronger A-TRAC. I do not know if 3rd Gens have traction control in low range other than the Off Road TRDs. Some reports say yes? You need to go out and find some steep, loose soil slope to do climbing tests on. Try a climb from dead stop at the bottom in each of your driving mode options and compare what gives more traction.

Since 2012, there are at least 10 drive mode choices for the 4WD Off Road TRD. 3rd Gen A-TRAC, for the auto transmission trucks, has been advanced with Multi-terrain select (MTS) which is an adjustable A-TRAC. A-TRAC is like having automatic front and rear lockers that only lock when you lose traction (it stops the tires that spin freely so they are matched with the tires that have traction). Steering is not difficult as it is with locking differentials.

2WD VSC OFF (all controls off)
2WD TRAC (standard mode)
2WD AUTO LSD (TRAC OFF MODE)*

4WD-HI VSC OFF
4WD-HI TRAC (standard mode)
4WD-HI TRAC OFF*

4WD-LO (standard mode, TRAC or VSC OFF?)
4WD-LO (please post what TRAC choices if any)
4WD-LO A-TRAC (or MTS)
4WD-LO Rear Locker
4WD-LO Rear Locker & A-TRAC (or MTS)

*Auto LSD/ Trac Off is a stronger limited slip than regular TRAC because the engine is not regulated, allowing full power to the drive wheel while the loose wheel is braked. In H4, 3rd Gen, some disagreement that TRAC OFF is the stronger choice.

 

@David K Like clockwork with these threads. Well done. And thanks for the write up way back when

 

Fat fingers on the phone. Need to work on me poofreading skils

 

Boop

 

I edited my reply a bit since you typed your reply... just to be clearer on what is going on.

As for why Toyota Corporation likes to use catchy words for products, well that is just marketing!
AUTO LSD has nothing to do with a differential but seems to mean that it makes it automatically limited slip like when it used to require a differential to do?
Why do they call it TRAC OFF when this mode is more traction control and not less? I came to the idea that TRAC OFF means engine regulation is OFF. VSC OFF is indeed it and TRAC turned off.

 

I installed a front ARB locker on my 2018 TRD Offroad 6 speed. I don’t really know anything about the A-TRAC feature on my truck. I guess it’s useless pretty much since I have real lockers front and back. Right?

 

As said above, it's best to engage the locker before you need it.

As for A-TRAC, the only thing I don't care for is the need for some amount of wheel speed for it to work well. Sometimes it is a bit more than I'd like, but short of a locking front diff it works fairly well.

Word to the wise, cycle your transfer case thru 4Hi and 4Lo and engage your rear locker on a regular basis. I try and do this once a month but no longer than every other month. The FJs were notorious for losing the use of the rear locker when a transfer case switch fails to notify the computer that 4Lo is engaged. Most folks who cycle thru on a regular basis don't seem to have the switch failure like those that rarely use it.

 

Just did mine today. Plus it's good for people to practice getting everything aligned so it goes in smooth.

 

That you spent the money for a front locker before you even tried the A-TRAC would mean you just assumed that you needed a front locker, I guess? Unless others have such income available to spend, I recommend wheeling with the system that comes with your expensive truck first and see if it does all you need. The rear locker alone on a 4x4 Tacoma really improves trail ability (I had a 2001 and 2005 with the rear locker). When I got my 2010 and discovered what A-TRAC is and does, I never needed the rear locker again... A-TRAC is front and back locker-like traction.

The primary difference between A-TRAC and having a front locker in my opinion is the front locker, when on, is 100% locked, so no momentary spin of one tire. Is that short spin before A-TRAC kicks in worth the cost of a front locker? Because a locked axle makes steering VERY difficult, the A-TRAC really shines as it has the advantages of open differentials for steering control and only "locks" when needed to stop spin and match tire rotation and drive power between the two tires on each axle. The other BIG benefit with A-TRAC is it is included in the cost of the Off Road TRD 4x4. The odd noises A-TRAC makes are weird, but the system is really amazing if you give it a full work-out.

 

For hard core off roading, I'd still take a locker over A-TRAC. I've had several vehicles with selectable front lockers, and they are the way to go. In 07, I wheeled with a couple of FJs driven by factory folks and admit that they went everywhere I did. They just used a fair amount more throttle and wheel spinning versus my slow but steady trundle over obstacles. Given that my days of hardcore stuff has come to an end, my up coming TRD Pro with locker and A-TRACS will suit me just fine.

 

Indeed, if your Tacoma is a hard-core rock climber or hill climber-mostly... then lockers.
If you do the really gnarly low range four wheeling just every so often, A-TRAC or MTS/Crawl will be excellent for you.
If you never will do serious off roading, don't want to add stuff after the purchase, they make a model called the Sport TRD!

 

David K. I do have such available income. That doesn’t make me stupid or a bad person. My 2004 Rubicon also has front and rear lockers. I think all four wheel drives should come from the factory with front and rear lockers.

 

I didn't mean to imply that, sorry.
I just encourage folks to use the advantages Toyota provides, such as A-TRAC to see if added traction investment is even needed by them.
Clearly, you love lockers... as I did on my earlier Tacomas. The A-TRAC on all four corners is so much more capable than the rear locker and front open differential. People should know that before dishing out sums like $2000 more than the truck costs... they may never need it.
Have fun and post photos of where you use front lockers on the Tacoma, please!

 

Gotcha. I will probably never use my front locker. I have the mindset of “it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

 

Also, the truck came with blank spots where switches are supposed to be and that really bothers me so a front locker and air compressor took care of two of them.

 

I'm curious how MTS will work in the new Rav4 since it's an AWD system rather than 4HI/LO.

 

I don't know the RAV4? AWD vs 4WD is just part time vs. full time 4WD.
Unless your think MTS is only a low range feature?
I don't know about the RAV4... does it have low range or not?
Other full time systems out there have low range.
I once drove a Mitsubishi Montero that was selectable full or part time 4WD and had high and low range.
Jeeps have this set up, too.

 

My second gen didn't, with the Off Road TRD package, all the spots were used. I had to drill two places for my Off Road light switches (2 pencil/spots and 2 driving/euro, all LED now.)