2LM PnP - Plug and play 2WD low range for the 3rd gen. Tacoma

Ordering an MT one very soon. Had a hard time backing up my camper last weekend

 

So, with the new house, the driveway is rather steep, downhill, into the garage. But garage is packed full of crap of course b/c, no shop (yet).

So, I mostly just leave 2low in, 4hi. Then, when reversing out of the driveway, plop into 2hi for the reverse and I can avoid trashing the clutch. Granted it's a short bit but it's steep and kids can be walking past, don't really want to gun it.

So I'm mostly just cruising in 4hi all the time w 2lo button in, add tricked, works well for me for now. Easier than my '05 2wd. The only alternative is backing in but that's a bit trickier than I'd like.

Need to deal with the terrible driveway at some point...

 

This makes sense for quick operation.

I am curious, has anyone tested the resistor to see how hot it gets? Or does it do so little that it doesn’t warm up? Being tied up in the dash it would be bad if it got hot while in 2LOW. Can anyone confirm it doesn’t? If so then I wouldn’t be as concerned running in the faux 2Hi with the low mod engaged and t-case in 4Hi.

 

It dissapates basically no power under normal operation. The truck tests the actuator when you first start by pulsing the ADD actuator. This lasts only a few seconds if I remember correctly.

If you mess up the sequence for selecting 2lo, the system will timeout after about 5-10s during which time, the resistor may or may not be getting power depending on where it faulted. Once the system faults there is no power there until you power cycle the truck.

In short, the power resistor is egregiously oversized for wattage and unless you are repeatedly causing a 4x4 system fault by not following the correct sequence (think on the order of trying for 30-60 minutes) the resistor will not get more than warm, if that. I'm not sure you could cause a fault, and power cycle the truck quickly enough to outrun the resistor. With that being said, I wouldldnt suggest trying it.

 

Rereading my description and boy did I botch it

4 Hi w 2lo button in normally. Then 2 lo for backing up the driveway. You guys probably understood what I meant to write.

 

Thanks! I figured it was probably not experience much running through it so it likely would not get hot - but wanted to make sure just in case.

So far I have had no errors. The only thing I have to make sure I do is unclick the button before I go from either 4WD mode back to the tcase 2HI. As long as I’m staying in 4wd modes I can go back and forth all I want without touching the button.

I knew what ya meant. Essentially still 2HI but with the front driveshaft spinning and 1-step 2LO engagement since you only have to turn the t-case knob one click to go to 2LO from there.

 

Yeah, never realized how awesome it was to have that option till I moved. Thanks so much @lapoltba. Super cool to use this mod. I figure I’d pop into real 2Hi if I go anywhere significant but the most my “OffRoad” does is shuttle 1-2 little s’s to preschool.

 

Have to give the 2 low mod some praise tonight. My brother was out fishing with a buddy in his Ranger (off to the side of a boat ramp) and went from some dry dirt to some wet dirt without realizing it and was stuck. So to the rescue, I showed up with a strap and pulled him out.

2 low was so nice for backing down the ramp with control. Let the clutch out fully and just crept down the ramp with the brake and then as I got into the higher ground off to the side of the ramp (hard left turn) I was able to just keep feathering the clutch and steering! Pure awesomeness. Then to 4 low for the pull which had no trouble whatsoever.

So glad I had the 2LM though. Seriously can’t think of any reason to NOT put it on a truck. It’s just pure improved performance and is a no nonsense improvement in all aspects. I’d put it on an auto too.

 

I just wish we could finish it off with an idiot proof control knob. I leave mine in 4 hi w 2 low engaged these days so I don’t have to remember the order. I use it every day to back up out of the driveway.

 

Yeah, the operational part is sort of a pain. I’m still not 100% sure what I can safely shift to and from. To go from 2L to 4L, I disabled the button, shifted all the way back to 2H, then re-shifted back to 4L with no button. Would be really nice if it could be all built into the knob and go 2H-2L-4H-4L or something like that.

I’ve also done the 4H with button engaged thing around town lately and it works just fine. Certainly a lot quicker into 2L when I need it. My driveway sucks to back up so I like to use it there for sure.

 

I’d want a rotary knob. Turn clockwise from 2 hi to 4 hi to 4 low as normal. Turn counterclockwise from 2 hi to 2 low. That is the part where we would need a little timer to sequence the signals but it would bypass the need for an extra switch.

 

That would work well. Wonder if someone can come up with it eventually.

 

If someone doesn't get to it first I have a way to use the existing 4x4 selector and no extra button.

 

Aanndd.......

 

Wow!

That's cool news.

 

I would absolutely love to hear more about this!

 

@lapoltba Any idea when harnesses will be in stock?

Backed my small boat up a .5% incline this weekend in the new truck.. What an experience. Didn't realize Toyota thought us 6MT folks would want to drive 70MPH in reverse.

 

They are in stock. I failed to update in Square. Give me 5 min.

 

Installation video from Fred Lino:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c96kAUdhciY