2009 traction control or 2005 w/OR

Clearly your experience is limited. ATRAC vehicle will not get you to the same spot fully locked vehicle will. Not even by long shoot.
Biggest issue with traction vehicle is engine cut offs. That may not be an issue in California but here in New England the last thing you want is for your engine cutting off while you climbing iced up hill.
Second bad thing about traction control is, it's makes you think you have advantage. Instead its a disadvantage in conditions when you need constant wheel spin. In winter you need constant power to wheels, if they get any power in out, that immediately results in loss of traction. That's exaclty what happens when traction control kicks in.
From my experience (I have all 3 types) best vehicles for winter driving are
1. Fully locked
2. OEM LSD from Toyota
3. Open differentials
4. Vehicle with TRACtion control
Now you can tell me what you want about your experience, but I am the one driving in winter all options above. Which means I can compare them on exact same conditions.
Now on dry rocks (like one you have in Cali) yeah traction control will work better and move to second position after lockers. But that's only in one particular location. The rest of US is either mud, snow, ice, musty slippery rocks, or sand. On neither those traction works good.
Going back to TRD off-road, it's great truck but not knowing if/when rear axle explodes is not appealing to me.
On the end, this is my opinion. So people can decide on their own what they need. However, they do deserve second opinion.

 

?If im not mistaken some of the stuff you said contradicts itself.? I had to read it twice.and who are you talking to In cali David Kaye lives in Atlanta

 

I think you're the confused one or maybe I walked in on a bad joke?

Makes perfect sense to me. Been trying to tell David that for years, but he always thinks the computer is the best.

 

YUP! Press the A-TRAC once in L4, and it will be in A-TRAC every time you are in L4, unless you press it again. No reason not to be in A-TRAC in L4. Remember, it is automatic and not 'on' unless you get wheel spin. If you also lock the rear diff, then it will not stop wheel spin unless you are below 3 mph... ie. about to be stuck.

As for the others...

1) TOYOTA DOES NOT OFFER FRONT LOCKERS, I speak about stock systems.
2) I SAID LOCKERS ARE BEST, but A-TRAC works and it is free on the Off Road 4WDs.
3) I am in San Diego County, CA. I don't pretend to know what works better in ice and deep snow.
4) My last name is not Kaye, here is my recent book on the missions of California with the names of my co-authors...

 

interesting. I didnt know it remains engaged after you push it once. good to know. next time I'm in 4L I will push it, and leave it.

I use it when I'm crawling up a rocky service, an incline, off camber situations, etc.. whenever I am in a spot where I need to crawl slow, with limited wheel spin.. lock the rear, engage A-Trac.. and it climbs

 

Yes sir, that's the ticket. Press it and forget it!