Tacoma LSD questions

Joel, - speaking of Michigan

Off road (Michigan) does not equal Off road (CA) does not equal Off Road (WV) but that's what makes it fun.

It is still no reason not to get along.

It's ok we can work out translations some other time. Snow is slickest close to the freezing point. Get below 20F and driving on snow is much like driving on gravel. No one ever swaps ends driving on rock and gravel. Diving on ice and snow can help one learn to drive smoother.

Some folks like tall skinny tires in snow to "cut down" to something solid. I've been in snow deep enough, often enough to know that is often impossible so I like to float on top, even use extra wide tires.

Quality off road tire tend to self clean, in contrast a good snow tire will lather up with retained snow. The best grip on snow is the snow held in the tread and in general you do not want a snow tire to self clean.

For a snow tire to grip well it has to be very soft in below freezing temperatures, a whole lot softer than off road tires.

Somewhere on youtube is a video of a Ford Raptor club driving like hell in the Michigan upper peninsula on some large state or federal park.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlrkYmG11Uo

Ford Raptor SnoBall 500 All Out Throttle

Looks like great fun to me. I got to suspect you would have fun there too.

Those speeds in 18" snow with deep ruts will give you a thrill or two. I see they bent up a few trees.

Would I object to a LSD in the front axle for such driving? No, I think I'd like it.

Youtube has a lot of Ford Raptor SnoBall 500 videos, enjoy and have fun.

I love watching off road Moab videos. I think they crazy. ;-)

I do the same thing except we have some very steep snow cover hills that are mothers, in both directions.

 

Yep,,, that's my back yard!!! I've never (bent) one of those trees, but I have had friends bend'um in front, and behind me. I thank the good lord every day!!!!
Priceless Timothy!!!
It is a place of frozen windshield wipers, broken tow straps, and wheelspin that usually doesn't get below 3-5 mph.
It's a prime example of why people in different parts of the country, ( have a hard time understanding!).
Again, priceless!

 

those having issues with not being able to give her.... alls you need to do is tap the traction control button to turn off engine regulation. Like stated have a look at that link provided and get to know the various traction control modes of the truck.

 

Lol.... yeah I have read the Toyota owners manual and even that is somewhat confusing. I am sure I will figure it out soon enough.I miss my 4th Gen Ford 4X4 Bronco.....

 

Hey toofish2, fact is, the manual sucks!. You have a great truck, loaded with different drive options. The fun is in the journey, learning each mode, and what it'll do for you. I personally have had a ball learning, and experimenting with each one, and I suspect you will too!!
Enjoy!

 

Excellent now that's opportunity to design limited slip for the front with 4 pinions

 

I'll have to lay some lines, but I dont think there's room for 4.

 

If power is needed, and the most is in using Low Range, you have 4 traction choices.

1) L4 standard mode (open differenials, free spinning, typically one tire in front and one in the rear spins).

2) L4 (REAR LOCKER ON: Diff Locked, both back tires rotation matched and front tires free spin if traction lost, typically one tire in front spins. Toyota recommends only to use locker in emergencies).

3) L4 (A-TRAC ON: high level traction control on all 4 tires with rotation matched across the axles to eliminate free spinning and equalize power at all 4 corners. With just any one tire on solid ground, A-TRAC will pull the truck ahead).

4) L4 (A-TRAC ON and REAR LOCKER ON: Both back tires locked together, and both front tires have matched rotation if there is tire spin when speed drops to 3 mph or less. Allows for unregulated acceleration unless nearly stopped due to terrain. Toyota recommends only use locker in emergencies).

 

This entire thread has been wonderful. I moved to Buffalo (from VA) in March to help with my Dad (WW2 vet). The first month I was back, we had some good times. From there, his health deteriated quickly. We said goodbye almost 3 months ago. It wouldn't trade those difficult 6 months for anything. Writing his eulogy not only humbled me, but helped me understand this quiet giant of a man.

Anyway, I'm still here, and my wife is up here as well. My Pre-Runner (05 TRD) has not failed me yet, due to my patient right foot. I go where I know I can go, and like mud... just keep moving, slow and steady wins the race. I have wanted to do something to improve my traction. conversion to 4X4 is just not an option. I'd buy a used 4x4 forst, but since this is temp living 1 parking spot and one garage, that's not really an option (the 12 highlander gets the garage!).

$500 for better traction seems like a steal to me. I really enjoyed the opinions, stats, and lack of testosterone throwing.

This Holiday season... look around... appreciate and enjoy your family and friends. Presents just don't compare to who's in our lives. Spend your time on what matters!

Thanks everyone for contributing, and OP for starting the thread.

 

I'm in agreement with Berk

 

Oh wow man....look at all the gears

My Taco has some awesome LSD in it

 

Look at old TRD LSD they use smaller 4 pinions because room needed for cluthcpacks.

I think we can, if there is lock right for the front I dont see why there could not be some limited slip
Market is there its the same DIff installed in many other Toyota vehicles, rear Diff has tons of options but front not so much.
Worst come to worst it will spin front driveshaft.

 

if your going to do anything to the front.... selectable locker. plain n simple.... dont pussy around with a LSD or lunchbox locker.

 

If that happens than ADD would get locked permanently and just kept that way to even drag on both sides. Newer Land Cruisers dont have ADD and they pretty much use the same front diff. instead of ADD they have extension.

Different application different needs. There is a reason why Ford sells their trucks with front limited slip if you want to. There should be a way to get that in Toyota trucks.

 

Well dang, am I AFU because using my LSD gave me ADD? I guess my OCD made me ask.

 

I speak of what is available from Toyota on Tacomas, and not after-market products. Sorry, if I got away from the original post question, but I think that was answered so now we are just adding information to other readers of this thread.

IF you don't get a 4WD OFF ROAD, then you don't get the most traction systems since only the Off Road has a locking rear differential, a hydraulic brake booster, and Active Traction Control (A-TRAC).

For more traction on non-Off Road 4x4s, lower the tire air pressure... it is amazing how much this improves your ability to climb or cross difficult areas, deep sand, etc. Have an electric air pump to refill once you are back to the highway. 15 psi for sand, 20 psi for all other will be close to the place to go. Be careful of rocks, as you will be reducing your ground clearance when dropping the air.

Tricking the computer, for non Off Road 4WD Tacomas 2009+: To add limited slip 'TRAC' to Low Range, and make a big improvement in L4 driving ability, see the 4 LO TRAC MOD (Yellow Wire Mod).

An additional drive mode was added in 2012 in H4, and names were changed. I am not sure which mode gets activated with the Yellow Wire Mod after 2012, but hopefully it is the stronger TRAC OFF mode...

2009-2011 modes:
H4 TRAC (limited slip WITHOUT engine regulation)
H4 VSC OFF (no traction or stability control) {stop moving, press and hold in button 3+ seconds}

2012+ modes:
H4 TRAC (limited slip WITH engine regulation)
H4 TRAC OFF (limited slip WITHOUT engine regulation) {press button quickly}
H4 VSC OFF (no traction or stability control) {stop moving, press and hold in button 3+ seconds}

 

Yes it can! Specially on graded Baja or desert roads... the small volcanic rock chips and chucks are like nails. I was stubborn until recently and would never drop pressure except for sand. The Tacoma suspension glides over the washboard nicely, after all. However, I got lot's of flats (BFG Rugged Fails and others) from sharp rocks through the tread. I could plug them, but annoying anyway.

Now, I drop to 20-25 psi from 35 for all dirt roads for any distance over a couple miles, no more flats, and the ride is even nicer!

 

Interesting video... as for air in tires, less is best to prevent punctures! However, sidewalls are greatly exposed with less air, and they cannot be repaired, so be careful or drive slow when deflated over rocks.

 

I ran Cooper Discoverer STTs back in 2007, and they never got a flat, lasted the longest of any brand I used (40,000+ miles), and looked the most off road.

However, the high noise on the highway and poor sand floatation both would prevent me from ever getting them or probably any mud terrain type tire again.

The video was quite correct, that a less aggressive tread (almost like a highway tire) is best in the sand. That said, one tire I used that was great in mud and snow and also in the sand, was the Hankook Dynapro ATM. No highway noise either. I only wish it gave more miles.

 

Wow! This thread ( used) to be about lsd's. Now it seems to be a 2 man infomercial on Cooper tires? I'm impressed???