Sport won't climb...

truck is a 21 Sport TRD. 4X4. MT.

I have this truck because it is the 2021 unicorn with a manual trans. It is my fifth Toyota truck, going back to 1984.

first some goofy observations. truck seems to lock the read diff when in 4X4. I've had a friend drive the truck in circles in the dirt, while I've watched the inside wheel skip in the dirt as it is going the same speed as the outside wheel. I can't find a any wires or other controls going to the diff that would indicate it is an elocker, and that is not correct for the model/option sheet anyway. I'm guessing it is the electronic trick I read about that modulates the brakes on an open axle so both wheels turn.

On dry pavement, it will stall the truck and leave tire marks if you try to drive in a circle. (wow).

I've noticed this truck has big problems on dirt and small inclines, if you cant get a running start at it and have your momentum take you up/over. Yesterday, small hill, could have (maybe should have) just switched into 2WD to take it, but I was already in 4 low due to the previous challenges which just required a lot of control. I just could not take this hill - it felt like the breaks came on and the truck just stalled out.

Earlier in the day, I took a really steep, potentially dangerous hill without a problem in 4L... the situation allowed that I had a little momentum. humm...

It is the computer stuff. Right. There is a button on the dash that makes all the traction related icons on the dash change or go on/off. That will turn this control traction off, right? Nope. Try and try, not a difference. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A WAY TO TURN THIS OFF.

Just putting this out there... I've had great luck with eaton truetrac's. I'd do that, spend the cash and be happy -- but if the computer is just going to jam on the brakes whenever it sense a wheel spins, then there is no point in putting in that kind of diff and likely tearing it up. So here is the question... people are driving up little dirt hills like all the time in this truck, yes? And there are mods/parts swaps for everything. So tell me, what are people doing about this?

 

Eaton now makes an Elocker for the 8.75" rear

 

Uh, oh

 

Its not made for 4x4 in dry pavement. Of course its going to stall

 

I don't think the Sport has a locker. If it did, you would have to engage it separately.

The tires are skipping because the front and rear axles are locked together and the front tires are moving further than the rear tires when you turn.

Why are you trying to drive in circles on dry Pavement in four-wheel drive?

 

Probably reading their manual and using 4wd in the proper scenarios.

 

Um.. didja disable ABS (maybe it's called traction control)?

Edit: Poster(s) below covered it.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-traction-control-modes-explained.530695/

 

Have you pressed and held the traction button for like 5-10 seconds? Pressing it once turns it to a soft off. Pressing and holding disables it completely and a different light comes on on the dash I believe.

 

My truck doesn’t need 4x4 engaged to drive in circles.

 

You don't have a rear locker. You were just binding the driveline by turning tight. Learn more about part time 4WD.


The TRAC system on the Sport (SR, SR5, and Limiteds also) will keep the Taco moving even with wheels in the air. Not as good as ATRAC / MTS in the ORs / Pros, but still good.

Lots of inaccurate terms used here along with questionable test methods, but the vid is a good demo at least:



Get a tune. Seriously. No issues or even slip at about 40deg:

 

You'll find out your truck is very capable after a minivan full of teenagers goes bombing by you on the trails.

 

To my knowledge, Sports don't have locking rear diffs.

OP, you still don't want to take tight turns with 4x4 engaged though, on or off-road. These trucks don't have center diffs. So when you're in 4x4, the front and rear axles are essentially locked together and the wheels will spin at the same average speed. When you take a turn, the front axle travels slightly further than the rear as the front end of the vehicle swings out further. This will still cause undue stress on the drivetrain in higher traction situations, even without a rear locker. Your drivetrain will bind and can stall the engine.

Check this out for more info: Open Differentials | HowStuffWorks

 

Driving in tight circles in 4wd will scrub tires and bind up nicely on pavement.

In 4LO all the traction nannies that thwart forward progress are off. In 4HI and 2HI you need to learn the functionalities of the traction modes (no press, short press, long press).

If you couldn't get up something in 4LO that's likely a traction, torque, or engine lugging issue.

 

Not quite on the Sport. In 4Lo, VSC is off by default, but TRAC is still on. You need to hit the TCS off button to kill TRAC, if you want to.

It is opposite on the ORs / Pros.

 

Best way to get the Taco to climb is to get an aftermarket ecu tune; results in more power at low rpm.

 

We were for sure not struggling to get anywhere on this Christmas Tree Hunting day.



But, yeah, Miata:

 

Lookit them knobby tires on that Mazda. I seriously want that car. Imagine floating across a technical with the top down, skating past those that are winching out due to its light weight and high momentum. That's a riot of a good time.

 

It had either a factory LSD or welded diff.


The thought of taking it up some tougher trails did cross my mind. It is supposedly running around that area pretty often.

 

I've got a manual Sport that I take on mild-to-medium trails. It crawls like a beast in 4LO. I guess it used to bog when it was on the factory tune, especially in deep sand, but nothing to be a huge complaint or make it unusable. I suggest getting a tune. I have VF Tune, others have had great luck with KDMax. As others have said, don't turn tight in 4HI or 4LO, these things don't have a center diff and you'll bind it up, it's not the same as a diff locker but in this case it'll have the same effect.