TRAC and TRAC OFF with Yellow Wire Mod

I surveyed the Yellow Wire Mod posts, but never found this issue addressed directly. Forgive me if it has been done, but I missed it. This is true for our 2013 model. Not sure however about earlier years:

The problem with the Sport/SR5/Base model 4X4's is that when in L4 you are left with pretty useless open differentials (no traction control)! (The Off-Road on the other hand, has A-TRAC available in L4, so doesn't need this mod.) In all models, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) is canceled by default in L4. This is because VSC can get confused, and end up fighting against you. (Plus, you don't need it at low speed anyway.)

However, with the mod the gears are actually in L4, but you are fooling the system into thinking you are still in H4 (light will blink, but no alarm). This gives you two possible traction control modes, either TRAC or TRAC OFF. You access TRAC by pushing no buttons (the default mode), and TRAC OFF by pressing the VSC OFF button once quickly (don't hold it down).

The problem with TRAC mode, is that VSC is active, and you have only a mild form of traction control, along with engine output regulation. When in TRAC OFF, you have a stronger level of traction control (really AUTO LSD as in H2, by a different name, front and rear), VSC is canceled, and there is no engine output regulation. (If you exceed 30 mph it will default back to TRAC, but if you are going that fast, you need to get back into high range anyway. Also, when you turn off the key and restart the engine, it will automatically default back to TRAC.)

So, my recommendation with this mod: in L4 always run in TRAC OFF mode!

Review will be helpful! https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/traction-controls-2009-2014.310726/

 

Interesting...

I've never noticed engine regulation in L4 with my yellow wire mod. Makes sense though, because you're tricking the truck into thinking it's still in H4. I'll have to spin the wheels a bit more to see.

 

A 2012 and later years, should all be the same.

 

Possibly a stupid question, but maybe someone can clarify. Do the 2015 have a trac off button? Mine has what I thought is that, picture of a car with the fish tailing lines, but when I tried to do a drift on gravel in 2wd a separate trac light flashed and the truck fought me. I haven't played with it in 4hi.

What that button seemed to do to me is cancel vehicle stability, but keep traction control on. Meaning the only way I can defeat it is in 4lo. So I guess my question is, do some have a VSC off and a Trac off button? Or am I just confused?

 

See that's what I did, or at least thought I did, but maybe not long enough. So is it a double function button with a short push and long push doing two different things?

The first time I used it was to get out of a ditch in 2wd, and it worked pretty well.

 

I probably should read the manual, lol.

Edit: just tried it out, yeah wasn't pushing the button long enough. Thanks RockLobster.

 

You know that's a good question. I was doing about 25 down a gravel road and goofing off, and the truck wasn't having any of it. I'll have to play with it more.

But all I just did in the parking lot was see if the button activated two different lights, and it does. I didn't bother trying to drift it.

And when I was talking about getting out of the ditch I was referencing the auto lsd feature. The drifting experiment was another day. But it was most likely operator error with the button.

 

So if i hold the vsc and turn it all off in 4h, is that what you guys are mentioning above. And wanting?
Or is that an offroad only feature?

 

No, this is to have the option to use trac or vsc in 4lo as stock it shuts it all down.

Sorry for the thread drift.

 

Ok got ya.

 

Ah, you must have held the TSC button (Thread Stability Control) button down for the full three seconds then.

 

Alright, I have another question for whoever may know. Playing around with the button and reading the manual it seems the only way I can get auto lsd to work is in 2hi. Is there a way to get that to work in 4wd modes? Because that actually worked really well the one time I used it.

Sorry, I'm pretty new to traction control equipped vehicles and this thing is different than my 05 4Runner.

 

IBDK

 

Sorry, I'm[/QUOTE]

AUTO LSD in H2 is the same stronger level of traction control and no engine output regulation, as TRAC OFF in H4. Both are accessed by pushing the VSC OFF button once quickly, either moving or stopped. The name TRAC OFF is particularly confusing, because you are turning off TRAC, but also turning on the equivalent of AUTO LSD, but now on both front and rear axles. Only the names are different, and only Toyota knows why! This is why you want the TRAC OFF mode in L4 with the yellow wire mod. You need the stronger LSD that TRAC OFF gives you, because of the torquier low gearing in low range (plus you also want VSC to be off).

Now, just when you thought you had everything straight in your mind....don't confuse this with the TRAC OFF that you will get if you hold down the VSC OFF button for ~5 seconds, with the vehicle stopped. Whether in H2 or H4, this TRAC OFF, is truely OFF (along with VSC)! It leaves you with open differentials, and if you want to do donuts in H2, this is what to choose.

 

Mmm, donuts...

 

Thanks for the explanation.

 

I'm resurrecting this thread to ask a couple questions... does the OP apply to 2010 Tacomas? For full clarification, for the best effect with the yellow wire mod you want to hit the VSC button once while in 4lo to change to TRAC OFF mode which actually gives you a stronger TRAC effect assuming you have sufficient vacuum?

 

1. Yes. To the best of my knowledge it will work as long as you have the open diff and the TRAC system.
2. That's correct. Pushing the button once quickly gives stronger braking to the slipping tire and there will be no throttle regulation.

 

Thank you, oddly nothing on my dash changes when I just short press the VSC button, if I press and hold I get the VSC off light though. Is it still going into TRAC OFF mode without telling me?

 

After pushing the button once quickly, it should show "TRAC OFF" on the cluster. Does your 4LO light blink continuously with no beeping when in 4LO?