disabling TRAC, ABS, and VSC - 3rd gen 4runner **PICTURES**

A few weeks ago I was out wheeling with a few friends and I came to realize that I need to do something about disabling traction control, Anti lock break system, and Vehicle stability control.

These items where added to the late 3rd generation 4runners, I believe 2000, 2001, and 2002.
Having these kick in while offroading was annoying as hell!

I figured I needed to do something about it, and do it now!

After doing a little research, I found out exactly what I needed to do and decided to do my own write up on it:

For this modification I used about 8 feet of 16 gauge wire and toyota fog light switch part number:



The switch looks like this:



Prongs in the back:



I cut the 8 foot wire into two four foot sections and fed it thru the firewall grommet located in a spot below the master cylinder:



I used a thicker gauge black wire to help me fish the red wiring thru:



I then located the master cylinder and unplugged the wiring shown below:



Within the wiring on that specific harness, is a 18 gauge red wire, I cut this wire and "extended" both ends using the wiring I fished thru the grommet.



Shrink wrapped for waterproofing:



Then taped for even more waterproofing:



On the other end, inside the cabin, I connected some spade connectors:





Fished the end thru a blank on my dash:



Plugged the spade connectors:



Placed my switch in the stock location:



Now to test the mod!

I turned the truck on, and flipped the switch:



Indicator lights tell me that TRAC, VSC, and ABS have been disabled!

To enable TRAC, VSC, and ABS, you will need to flip the switch to the "off" position and restart the truck.

The TRAC, VSC, and ABS will NOT reset while the truck is on. You must restart the vehicle.

I am perfectly fine with that.

 

On the 3rd gen 4runners with VSC / TRAC... is it possible to disable VSC + ABS, but leave TRAC engaged? So if wheelspin is detected, the computer will apply the brake to that wheel to stop the wheelspin, but leave engine RPM / power unaffected?

 

Not sure I am sure Ramon will answer but you realized this thread is over 3 years old right?

 

Yes.

Is it considered poor form or bad style to resurrect or reply to a really old thread? IMO, the thread was germane to what I was trying to find out. (I either found this thread via Google search, or a forum search.)

Or should I just start a new thread when a thread I found is so old?

Not trying to be snooty or anything. Just what is considered "good form" or forum etiquette?

 

Hell no no reason not resurrect a thread just wanted make sure the original poster might not be subbed to it anymore. Unless maybe if you tag him @ramonortiz55 you are needed sir.

 

Cool. Thx for your help chainman...

 

Anytime my friend

 

wut

 

Oh, no notifications. Let me see

 

I really don't know, sorry.

 

@Taco No Baka

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the info, @ramonortiz55 . I wonder though, if there's a way to shut the systems off through the center diff lock wiring that won't make you have to restart the vehicle to turn them back on. I'll have to see if I can find a wiring diagram for the 4WD computer and see if I can figure out which wire(s) shut those systems off. If I don't have any luck, I'll go with this method.

 

Not sure if this is useful, seeing it was written for a 3rd gen MT. But a short press & long press on the VSC button can give different modes.

 

'01 & '02 3rd Gen T4Rs only have a Center Diff Lock button on the dash right by where the Rear Diff Lock button is located. No VSC button. The VSC and TRAC shut off automatically when the center diff is locked, but you have to be in 4WD to lock the center diff. It's a real buzz kill when you're trying to go around a corner in deep sand while in 2WD...not to mention it's liable to get you stuck, since you lose all your momentum as it creeps along trying to match the rear wheel speed to the front.

I'm thinking that there has to be a signal wire that tells the computer when the center diff is locked which then turns off the VSC and TRAC. If I can figure out what wire that is, I'm thinking I can hot wire it with a switch to spoof the computer into thinking the center diff is locked (and a diode so it doesn't back feed through the system and actually lock the diff or something), which will then deactivate the VSC and TRAC and reactivate them when the switch is off without having to restart the vehicle.

 

There is a method, I honestly don't remember what its called.

I remember someone telling me about it after I had done this

 

https://www.expeditionportal.com/fo...2001-4runner-my-write-up.152043/#post-1984929

 

BTW, have you ever tried locking it in 4WD, engaging the diff lock and then disengaging the center diff lock to see if the systems would come back up? I can think of some instances here in FL where shutting the engine off would be a big no-go.

 

andy mod for the win