2WD - Traction Off in Snow - Sounded like I left trans in street

I have a 2wd drive Tacoma that I pulled into a parking lot with a bit of snow today. It was on a slight hill with a bit of plowed in snow. I couldnt get out with traction control left on as it was super aggressive in cutting power. I tried with traction off and it sounded like a bucket of bolts. I know a saw a light 'Auto LSD' and when researching (if I understand right) the auto LSD seems to not really be special diff but rather electronic controls to apply brake to a wheel the starts to spin.

This thing sounded like I was beating the hell out of it trying to get out of this space. Was it just it pushing on the break for the slipping wheel that sounded and felt this bad?

 

Yup it was doing it's job. That grinding sound is the ABS module solenoids doing work it definitely outs more wear on your brakes but that's the way it's designed to function.

If you come to a complete stop push and hold the ABS button the Auto LSD will come on then eventually go off and the slip indicator will come on full time then you can have fun times.

Probably won't help your 2WD climb an icy hill lile that though.

Best thing you can do for winter traction in a 2WD is put 100lbs in the very back of the bed to get some leverage and weight on the rear axles.