3rd Gen Traction Control Modes Explained

That is a really simple, clear answer. And I get why, now, with your explanation of the electronic brake actuated system not being aggressive enough to match a mechanical system. Pasting from that linked thread for anybody else who had the same question:

Thanks!

 

The only condition I felt having the rear locker on improved driving in low range was in snow, off road snow. This is so there is no braking of a slipping wheel when you are just having fun.

Of course I always keep the A-TRAC on (active), but when the rear locker is also engaged, the A-TRAC is offline unless the speed drops to under 3 mph.
In other words, if you are stuck or close to being stuck, then, the front end gets the locker-like traction of both wheels working together.

Amazing systems on our Tacomas!

 

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS

I just got my truck last month and all these abbreviated settings were making no sense.

 

How can I spin the best donuts in my Automatic TRD sport???!!!

I think I have all trac control off, get spinning and some type of governor kicks in and slows me down :-((

any tips?!

 

Long press while stopped. You should see the VSC OFF light AND the TRAC OFF light illuminated on your dash.

 

appreciated!

I’ll try it out and report back. I thought that’s what I did but obviously I’m doing something wrong.

I’ll get back soon ✌️

 

A $35,000 vehicle is better than that... respect the Tacoma.
Even with VSC OFF (stop, press button, and hold in 3 seconds), driving stupid will automatically turn the VSC back on to try and keep you from rolling the truck!
People do stupid things, then they want to sue Toyota for their actions! That is why we now have nanny protections... for those who haven't grown up!

 

while I agree with u that I should never disrespect my Tacoma we have different views on what respecting the Tacoma means. Spinning a few donuts in some gravel or mud in my Tacoma is respecting it in my mind

 

The bait, take it NEVER

 

Buy a gocart... Best for donuts! Put a Toyota badge on it!

 

Good idea. I have motorcycle that satisfies most of the ya-yas. The acceleration, speed, and cornering that you can get for $5k or less even makes supercars look silly at 20x the price.

 

If you want to truly understand what the purpose of the rear locker is, try taking your Taco on a real hard core off road trail. I regularly take my (now Highly modified) '20 TRD Pro on the Rubicon Trail, one of the most difficult and famous off road rock crawling trails in the U.S. When you are crawling slick rock, you will very much appreciate that mechanical locker and wish that Toyota offered a mechanical front locker option.

I am saving my pennies for an ARB front air locker, but honestly the CC works surprisingly well in combination with the mechanical rear locker. My friends with the Jeeps always said that I wouldn't be able to do the trail with IFS, and would need a solid axle. They now admit that the Taco really articulates very well, close to if not equal to their solid axles. In fact the first time I took it out to Rubicon Springs from the Tahoe side, I actually made it out and back stock except for 33" tires and rock rails. (See my profile picture, taken on that trail) The only damage other than some pinstriping, was the rear plastic bumper corner that I caught coming down on a rock.

After installing high rise front & rear steel bumpers with up-armor side protection, full steel skids nose to tail, rock rails, 35" BFG KM3's, Heavy duty leaf springs, Decked bed drawer system and multiple weld on upgrades it is a true beast off road. I personally love rock crawling now, it's the most fun you can have under 5 mph! The main difference between our Tacomas and Jeeps etc. is that our trucks just keep running, are reliable, and actually hold their value... Unlike ALL the others. If you are concerned about gas mileage though, these are Not the truck for you...

 

This thread is priceless but I still can’t make my mind up if I want to put my air locker in the front or the rear of my truck.

 

I presume you don't have the Off Road TRD, so no factory rear locker?
You add a locker to the rear, always, if you are doing just one axle. It would be a rare event to even need a front locker. When you climb a steep uneven or rocky grade, the condition that would most often need a locker, the center of gravity shifts back, putting more weight on the rear.

 

Correct I don’t have factory lockers and I agree with your post completely, stumbled on some YouTube videos debating the question and it seemed to be the consensus that if you have a lsd in the rear put the locker in the front (that’s how I found this thread, trying to figure out if my sr5 had lsd) but I’m going to do the rear. I am a huge fan of the stock 4x4 system, especially with the help of the control mapping in this thread. I may have been motivated to purchase the locker when it was announced that the 22 sr5 trail edition was getting a locker and that just didn’t sit well with me considering they left the e-locker out of the 21 trail model. But it will be a welcomed improvement to my rig.

 

You have an ABS activated Auto-LSD. Even if we had a mechanical LSD, you'd still want the locker in back with the LSD up front.

That said, our vacuum boosted TRAC system does really well off road with wheels in the air. The only problem that I have encountered is in a technical area where our system takes more throttle and wheel speed to activate than A-TRAC / MTS does. In those cases, I adjust my line versus goosing it.


About the 2022 Trail Edition, I'm curious what braking system is in there and if the diff is still 8.0in or if they tossed in the 8.75in diff.

 

My understanding is the 8.75 is needed to fit the e locker, so wouldn’t the 22 trail have the 8.75 if it has the factory e-locker?

 

Hard to say. That is why I am wondering.

My best guess is that @Jeff Lange would know this, if anyone does. It is certainly a weird mix of parts already. If I were Toyota, it would have just been easier to make the 2022 TE out of an OR to start with.

 

While TRAC and Auto LSD do help, and I am a fan, neither one can compare to a locked differential. Your biggest assist otherwise is lowering the air pressure and it can be a total rescue to most any stuck or steep obstacle.

 

I just came across this thread and good lord....... it is a damn goldmine.
I was planning on making a thread about this soon and asking all of the questions that this thread answers..... TW...... You are simply the best.