Does putting a TRD OR in 2nd cause it to spin both tires?

Not sure how to search this so I’m making a thread. My TRD OR if left in drive, will pretty much only put down power from the passenger tire, even spinning quite a bit, on loose gravel or wet pavement for example, it still only spins the one. Annoying if I want to climb something without 4wd on. I recently found it seems to more reliably spin both if I put it in 2 ( it’s an auto) is this a thing or just by chance?

 

TRD OffRoads have an open differential unless you have the diff lock engaged but the locker can only be engaged in 4lo, so no I wouldn't think being in 2nd would have any effect other than maybe more momentum.

 

That’s kinda what I figured, time for gray wire mod I guess

 

Grey wire mod doesn't work on 2nd gens, it's much more complicated to do the locker anytime mod on 2nd gens.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/locker-anytime-mod-for-dummies-2005.353724/

 

Shouldn’t matter what gear you are in.

I wanted to do the grey wire mod, but I’m afraid that someone…or me will engage the rear diff lock while driving By accident

 

Starting in 2nd gear is an old school trick that has been used for over 100 years to help prevent wheels from spinning in loose traction situations. My dad taught 50 years ago, and his dad did the same in the 1930's.

Even if you have an open diff you still get power to both wheels most of the time. You only get one wheel to spin if there is a big difference in the amount of traction between the 2. The one with the least traction will always get the power.

It is possible to have too much torque for the amount of traction available. When that happens, it is hard to get moving without spinning a wheel. Starting in 2nd gear reduces the amount of torque getting to the ground and you're more likely to get the vehicle moving without spinning either wheel. It doesn't always work, but it does help. Works great getting started on ice/snow.

Another trick to use if you're getting one wheel to spin is to gently apply the parking brake. This will often cause the axle to send power to the other wheel. The one with traction. That is exactly what happens when your traction control kicks in on newer vehicles that have it. Guys driving without traction control have been using this trick for years to get moving.

 

If I did it I’d install a race car style switch with the flip cover to protect myself from that.

 

Unless you have an aftermarket manual valve body.... no consumer automatic transmission built in the last 20+ yrs will actually leave from 0mph in 2nd gear by putting the trans in 2nd

 

OR means locker. I’m jealous. My TRD Sport is just mechanical LSD. I don’t know how good it works even though I change the gear oil. Never tested it. I just know it chirps if you get on it.

It’s an open diff unless the locker is on. Open diffs are bad if they’re ONLY always open (like a street car) because when one wheel loses traction for whatever reason, all the power goes to spin that one wheel that slips, and none to the one with grip, effectively making that entire axle useless.
Which is exactly what happens in the stock front open diff of a Tacoma on a trail.

But, it allows you to take turns normally.
that’s something where you would turn the locker off road if you need it.

There’s many options. Lunchbox style automatic lockers (cheaper). Electronic lockers like Harrop Eaton that use a magnet, probably similar to what your rear already has.
Or ARB air locker which claims to be cheaper than electric, stronger, without the heat from keeping a magnet on increasing the temperature of your gear oil
Problem is the cost. Front and rear regear + ARB air lockers is probably a $5k job.

why not just be gentle and feel the throttle in 1st
It’s probably harder on the clutch components to start in 2nd where there’s less leverage to get the truck moving

they can. It just sucks to do and feels like crap. Excessive slipping of the clutch.

 

Welcome to the world of an Open Diff and no traction control. I feel your pain man. 1 wheel spinning unless locked.
If we had a 2009+ we would not suffer from the one wheel spin near as bad.

Best thing you can do is buy GOOD tires.
I’m serious, tires make a huge difference.

 

In the case of our tacomas. No. Not a chance. The ECU absolutely WILL NOT start the truck in 2nd. Doesnt matter where the shifter is put it will always start from first from a stop.

 

mine is 6spd manual so it might. Or not. You might be right. I’ve never tried it. I’ve only done it from slow if it doesn’t like to downshift to 1st. FWIW it doesn’t have much electronic interfering. No traction control stock

 

Well duh a manual you can start in 6th if you wanna slip the clutch. OPs truck and everything referenced was talking about autos so your point is mute

 

I can tell you that the 2.7 w/Manual 5 spd. PreRunner will in fact start from 2nd.

Pretty sure @nd4spdbh was referring to Automatic Transmissions.