That gimmick called Crawl Control...

Not close at all.

The only thing close to CC on the SR5 Tacos is TRAC, which can be used in 4HI.

TRAC is similar in operation to ATRAC/MTS/CC except that it is less aggressive with the brake limited slip, and it cuts engine power in addition to applying brakes to spinning wheels (something you don't want when off roading). That being said, TRAC may be better than open diffs in some situations.

 

Trac off In 4 low - tires spinning- light touch on brakes - won’t this move power to the non spinning wheel?

 

Wait... Doesn't it have five wheels? Spare doesn't count?

 

No because the brakes are applying equal force to both the left and right wheels, so there is no transfer of power to one side or the other.

 

I have always seen the benefit of slow smooth gear changes as a function of an AT.

Now I am not trying to start a debate AT vs MT, but anyone who has driven on soft sand in an MT appreciates the need for smooth shifts that take allot of skill vs being inherently there with AT.

Well I see Crawl applications similarly. If your tires aren't hooking up on a steady uphill climb, the AT makes the job easier for anyone short of a MT shift master. The steeper the climb, the more you'll wish you had the low gear low speed torque of a MT.

The MT gives you more instant power, but that can cause wheel spin, reduced traction etc.

So my guess is that CC is AT specifically because it shines in areas where an AT would otherwise struggle or heat up etc. Specifically situations that call for slow and steady or mad skills.

My FJ has a clutch overide that leverages the starter motor to crawl, but hike you use your feet to paddle gas and brake (I think, I never have used it).

 

I find MTS more useful than crawl control personally. I’m surprised no one really talks about that

 

I have one 4x4 of each, and I have experienced the pros of each.

The AT would be my choice for weekending nearby as the terrain is predictable but the other drivers not so much.

If I am on a real expedition with life or death on the line, the MT has some reliability benefits.

My opinion, my FJC MT 4x4 Full time vs. Tacoma AT with me driving vs an expert.

Flat sand = AT
Dunes = MT
Rocky = AT
Medium Mud = MT
Thick Mud = winch
Water crossing = AT
Steep climbs = AT

Ronny Dahl sums this up in a great video on Youtube.

 

I regret not buying an OR over my Sport, although I added front and rear lockers on mine. I would definitely recommend getting an OR or PRO with crawl control over the other trims if someone was looking to get a Tacoma.

 

MTS is great. I'm still not exactly sure what the different settings do... I know they vary the amount of slip of the wheels or whatever, but am curious if that means the amount of rotation the wheel makes before the brakes grab, or how much clamping force the brakes apply to the wheels? Does anyone know?

 

I use it in lieu of a front locker. So I’ve had my rear tire hanging and my opposite front tire not getting traction on loose rock/dirt. I just pop that thing on, and set it to almost max setting and my tires that did have good traction powered out. It’s not as effective as having a locker but a truck in general isn’t going to do what a Jeep does without heavy mods and even with that, there’s still a wheel base issue. Point being MTS works for what I need it for.

 

I think it depends what the terrain is where you off road at. Crawl control works great in rocky terrain and sand but poorly in mud. In mud you need to give it more throttle to clean some of the mud out of the threads to keep going. I've only seen crawl control used once on the mud and it got stuck when he got pulled out he went back through the same hole without crawl control and made it without to much trouble.

 

I guess you changed your mind about CC? In my thread you basically sh*t on it the whole time lol.

 

I never used CC for climbing, but I used it for going downhill on steep trails with big rocks. It's absolutely great! I used it a lot in my Wrangler, and I'm really happy my Taco has it as well.

The Wrangler has a hill descent control only, nothing for going uphill. I actually find it more practical to control the vehicle myself when going uphill, in case I need to rock it over an obstacle, but that doesn't mean I won't experiment with it.

 

I would rather Toyota put a locking diff on the front with a solid front axle option instead of the crawl control.

 

I’m curious how that would work at 65 mph on the highway. Like legit curious. Because I’d imagine it’d be like driving a Jeep, where you feel like your driving partly sideways.

 

i never use CC. but the various MTS modes have gotten me out of a bunch of shit....kirk out

 

My f350 is fine with a solid front axle. I think the taco would be too.

 

I have a manual transmission in my 2018 Offroad so mine didn’t come with crawl control but I have first gear and front and rear lockers which works much better.

 

Definitely. It has its uses in the right situations. There are still times it does nothing but typically in those situations I need a new line.

It’s fun to play with. Not sure I would ever rely on it.

 

That's what she said