2017 Off Road rear locker

Hello all,
Was trying out rear locker today. Was on a 2 track road that was essentially beach sand. Put in neutral, 4 low, let the 4 low engage (no 4L blinking). Then push rear locker and it blinked. Turned off rear locker and idled forward, then reverse. Tried rear locker and still blinked. Tried going back to 2wd, then neutral and 4l again and then locker engaged (no blinking).

Thoughts? Feelings? ha

 

Soooooo, You used your locker for the first time and it took a few tries to engage?

This is unfortunately normal at times. The locker sometimes takes a moment to engage you usually just have to move forward or backward long enough for it to lock.

I have a 7 year warranty on that bitch so I'll run it into the ground and replace with a Harrop or ARB after that.

 

*The locker is really a rare need since 2009... only if you can't move using the A-TRAC will you need it.

**Make sure A-TRAC is on ANYTIME when you are in L4. This is the big product you get with the Off Road 4WD.

***As for how to get the locker to engage... I found it easy if you crank the steering wheel all the way to ONE direction, then slowly creep forward (from a stop). BOOM: you are locked!

PS: Beach sand is best traveled in H4, TRAC, and air pressure dropped in all 4 tires about 50% (if soft, dry, deep sand). L4 will try to dig... just too much power in sand. You never want to spin tires in sand!

 

Do we have A-trac on 3rd gens? I know it has the crawl control, but I've never seen an A-trac button like on the 2nd gens.

Edit, yep it's up there in the roof. I'll need to familiarize myself with this truck a little more, lol.

 

TRAC and VSC are off in 4Lo, A-TRAC is not available in 4lo for Auto OR/Pros

 

Mine is up by the Sunglasses Holder and Sunroof Controls

 

Manuals have A-TRAC and Automatics have MTS + Crawl. MTS is simply adjustable A-TRAC. There is NO LOGIC to being in low range and not using the traction system (unless you like digging holes)! Enjoy the truck!!!

 

the rear e-locker rarely engages right when you press the button...everything needs to be in sync and line up for it to engage, this usually takes a bit of driving either a few feet forward or backward, some say steering side to side helps. I usually press the button when I know I'm going to need it to do an upcoming obstacle and it'll lock in by the time I reach it.

 

Ok, I looked up a picture online since my truck isn't near me. I have the auto, so mine is the MTS. I need to get out and use it!

 

Haha, me too, I just put the locker on and go..

 

From what I've read on here, the more you use it, the easier it engages. What you did was good to give it a "work out" every once in awhile.

Also don't be afraid to use your locker while offroad. Some people don't like to engage it unless absolutely necessary, but I say engage it whenever you want. It makes obstacles much more controlled and easier to do safely.

 

Next time, leave the RR Locker button engaged, then drive forward/backward. May even need to turn the wheel a bit. It'll go right in.

 

Drive in a circle next time. Forward and backwards don't change the pin alignment much.

 

The locker works great for pulling out stuck, I mean really stuck, Sandburbans and Expeditions. I use it many times doing that.

Right on about spinning tires - it kinda sucks when someone breaks windows of other vehicles and hits people when doing that on rocks, too.

 

was just in beach sand to try it. wasnt stuck. I think only manuals have A track

 

because u have a manual

 

as in hold button in while forward/reverse?

 

No, just press it once to engage it. The light will blink for a bit while you drive (slowly) forward, but then the locker should engage fairly quick and the light will go solid.

 

A lot of good correct info in here already to follow.

See the sticky for some more info
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-traction-control-modes-explained.530695/

A few specifics for the OR. OR/Pro auto in 4Lo defaults to no traction control EVERY time. You have to turn on the MTS every time. (Using the MTS should be the go to for 4Lo, unless the engine regulation is messing you up)

 

Listen to David. He's survived Baja a jillion times and read his essays on using your Tacoma.