First time wheeling in the taco, pics and vids

The taco is my first OR vehicle, I have been driving my husbands Xterra which was built up like a tank and was a manual. This was also my first time wheeling in Michigan and in the mud. The xterra powered through everything so I might have had an expectation that the Tacoma would be the same. It was not. I'm thinking to myself there isn't going to be a trail or obstacle that I can't handle but not thinking there was going to be an obstacle the taco can't handle. There was. I turtled once. Bottomed out a couple of times. Couldn't complete an up hill obstacle. The skids are deeply scratched up a bit but that's what they are there for. Came really close to a tree that was trying to take out my rear passenger door. I didn't let it win. First time using 2 lo. Had an issue trying out the mtn/crawl dial option on the ceiling. Something made a disturbing grinding/catching on something noise when I went forward so I turned it right off. I never tried the lockers, wasn't sure which button it was. I think it is the one of the drive train with an x on it? There is a video of my turtling.

 

Weird, the videos are pics. I thought I converted them to an extension this site would accept but it converted them to a pic. sorry.

 

Read your manual. Those noises are normal.

 

Yes, the button with the X is the locker.

 

where in Michigan?

 

Do you mean 4 lo? Unless it's been modified, low range is only available in 4wd...

And unless you installed an aftermarket front locker, you only have a rear locker.

I suggest reading your manual and become more familiar with where the buttons are, what they do, and how they work. That said, I would also not try and rely on those buttons, like crawl control or the terrain buttons. They honestly don't do THAT much, certainly not anything that can't be accomplished with a steady foot. They also don't help you pick the right line, so I'd focus on your driving and line choices (but still read your manual!).

Not completing those obstacles likely isn't the fault of the truck, it's the nut behind the wheel. You're a novice, I wouldn't expect you to be able to get over everything the first time. The more you go out and get comfortable with not only the vehicle but yourself, you'll improve every time you head out. Most of what you experienced is more than likely just line choice.

That said, not engaging the locker could easily have had a lot to do with not making the hill climb(s). Traction is key. But there are a lot of variables, too. Sometimes a locker can make things harder - that's why selectable lockers are best.

On that 2nd pic (or video?) it looks like you're about to get high centered. On that specific obstacle, there really is no replacement for a lift or bigger tires (probably why the XTerra had an easier time), if you don't want to scrape, but the skid did its job. That obstacle really just looks like a test for break-over clearance, and isn't something you'd normally see in nature. Line choice comes into play, and a good line can minimize scraping (like coming at it at an angle, etc...

Anyway, good job for getting it dirty and having fun in the mud/rocks, that what these things are made for!

 

Bundy Hill 4x4 park. it was fun.