Where Do I Even Start?

Corsha13 · May 19, 2020

axshon said: ↑

Ok so I'll jump in because this is fun for me. I'm a nerd too but I was a gear head in my youth and only recently got a 2018 TRD Off Road so I'm kinda back in the game.

Perhaps what might make sense is just a video or two with a truck in the air and someone pointing out all the parts and what they do on your rig.

Some Component Terms:

Axle: This is the part that turns the wheels. It's like "house" in that there are a lot of other parts inside it and attached to it. It's function is to transfer the energy from the engine/transmission all the way to the wheels. You have an axle in the front and one in the back on a 4-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicle.

Open Diff(erential): An axle arrangement where only one wheel is being driven when driving around. This is normal for most vehicles since all 4 tires are on the ground and when you turn, the outside wheels roll faster than the inside wheels. An open diff allows this to happen.

LS: Limited Slip. This axle will detect that one wheel is turning WAY faster than the other and force both wheels to turn. It gives you better traction off road but sometimes it takes a second or more to 'kick in'.

Locker: Locking Differential. This is (usually) an axle that can be engaged by the driver or the electronics in the vehicle to directly lock both wheels together. Very few vehicles have front lockers but a fair number have rear lockers. You can buy one for your vehicle but for light off roading you probably won't need it.

4-Wheeling Terms:

The biggest terms you need to know are your approach angle, departure angle and break-over angle.

Approach Angle: Line from edge of your front tire to whatever sticks out the farthest on your truck. This tells you how steep a hill you can get at without scraping. For you, this is important because you have a little plastic air dam on the front of your Sport. This will reduce your approach angle by quite a bit and you need to be careful of breaking it.

Departure Angle: Same as Approach angle but in the back. Once you start climbing an obstacle, this tells you if you're going to scrape your butt.

Breakover Angle: The lowest angle between the front and rear wheels and the lowest part in the middle under your truck. For us that's the frame usually.

High Centering: This is when you come to something and try to get over it only to find that both your front and rear wheels are off the ground enough that you cannot get traction. A locker sometimes helps. It doesn't mean that your wheels are in the air, just that they are lifted enough not to grip.

Dug In: This is when you have a wheel that spins to the point where it digs a hole and the weight of the truck is on the axle beam and not the tire tread. Locker sometimes helps. Sometimes you need to get pulled out or dig yourself out.

These are starters.

Skills:

If you want some fun skills development, you can use a riding lawn mower. Put some rocks or dirt piles in a place where you can drive over and around them. Learn how to steer around obstacles and learn to watch where your front tires and rear tires are all the time. Learn to get right up to a rock with the front tire and then slowly creep over it, feeling how the steering wheel pulls as you come over the rock. Watch how close the center of the mower comes to the rock as you drive over it and do the same with the back tire. Put the mower on a hill and give it just enough throttle to go up but not enough to spin a tire. It might seem a litle goofy but you will learn how to judge the direction your wheels are pointed and the feel of going over things and what it feels like to lose traction.
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Thanks for the detailed reply! A couple questions:

- My sport is equipped with an LS correct?

- The front spoiler is what you’re referring to in the approach angle, correct? I actually thought about removing this anyway because I just prefer the look without it.

axshon · May 19, 2020

Corsha13[OP] said: ↑

Thanks for the detailed reply! A couple questions:

- My sport is equipped with an LS correct?

- The front spoiler is what you’re referring to in the approach angle, correct? I actually thought about removing this anyway because I just prefer the look without it.
Click to expand...

Don't quote me but I think that the 2019 Tacoma 4x4's all had a limited slip diff. I believe it works by detecting wheel spin and then applying the brake to just that tire. Someone should chime in who knows for sure.

Yes, the little 3 inch black front spoiler is what I was referring to. It supposedly helps improve mileage.

mattgecko · May 19, 2020

Welcome!

sweeneyp · May 19, 2020

Corsha13[OP] said: ↑

I worry about the limits. I don’t want to find the limits to the tune of a multi thousand dollar repair bill
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Your biggest limitation that you will have initially is tires. That being said, the tacoma is a pretty remarkably capable little truck. I am with the rest of the crew here. Find some fire service roads and start slow. It's definitely recommended to go off-roading with someone experienced for spotting and recovery but go with someone you trust who will keep you within your comfort zone. It takes time to know what your truck is capable of and you don't want to over do it. What part of the country do you live in?

Artruck · May 19, 2020

axshon said: ↑

Don't quote me but I think that the 2019 Tacoma 4x4's all had a limited slip diff. I believe it works by detecting wheel spin and then applying the brake to just that tire. Someone should chime in who knows for sure.

Yes, the little 3 inch black front spoiler is what I was referring to. It supposedly helps improve mileage.
Click to expand...

I think all the Tacomas now have a version of the auto LS that uses the brakes to assist in low traction situations. It’s ok, but it will turn off if pushed, and can’t really compare to a mechanical differential. It basically tries to “nerf” the imput from the throttle and grab the spinning wheel to stop it. Not great it you need to get momentum, but fine if you need to start from a stop on ice or a slick incline on pavement. It more like traction control then a limited slip.

Corsha13 · May 19, 2020

sweeneyp said: ↑

Your biggest limitation that you will have initially is tires. That being said, the tacoma is a pretty remarkably capable little truck. I am with the rest of the crew here. Find some fire service roads and start slow. It's definitely recommended to go off-roading with someone experienced for spotting and recovery but go with someone you trust who will keep you within your comfort zone. It takes time to know what your truck is capable of and you don't want to over do it. What part of the country do you live in?
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I live in South Texas. I drive on the beach all the time but the sand is pretty well packed so I’ve never even had to go into 4WD. That also worries me. I’ve read you should go into 4WD once a month to keep things moving but I’ve gone a whole year without going into 4WD.

axshon · May 19, 2020

If you're running on sand it will not hurt your truck to drop it into 4-wheel-drive.

Corsha13 · May 19, 2020

axshon said: ↑

If you're running on sand it will not hurt your truck to drop it into 4-wheel-drive.
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So drop it into 4H on the sand. Don’t need to stop or put in neutral right? And going back to 2WD I don’t need to stop or anything right?

But 4L I need to stop and put in neutral?

boogie3478 · May 21, 2020

Corsha13[OP] initial post: ↑

Hi all! I got my ‘19 SR5 nearly a year ago. I love it. I’ve loved Tacoma’s for a long time and even after a year I get excited to drive mine to work every day.

I really want to get into modding and eventually into off-roading. Problem is, my knowledge is right at zero. I was never a car guy. Not from lack of desire, but my Dad was a computer nerd and was never trusted with tools by my Mom. I watch Off-roading videos and I feel like I’m listening to Spanish. And the overwhelming amount of mods out there makes my head spin.

I really want to learn as much as I can so that I can work on my truck, mod it to my liking, and go off-road without ruining my truck from inexperience. If anyone can offer any resources; YouTube channels, social media accounts, websites, books; I’d be very much appreciative.
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Welcome to TW!

axshon · May 22, 2020

Corsha13[OP] said: ↑

So drop it into 4H on the sand. Don’t need to stop or put in neutral right? And going back to 2WD I don’t need to stop or anything right?

But 4L I need to stop and put in neutral?
Click to expand...

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