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4x4 advice ?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by clawj, Feb 25, 2020.

  1. Feb 25, 2020 at 4:52 PM
    #1
    clawj

    clawj [OP] Member

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    So this weekend I went ice fishing with my new to me 2017 TRD sport 4x4. Got stuck in very little snow and on some ice, surprising I could possibly get stuck in such little snow. My tires are not great so I will change those for next winter. But my question is.....the guys outside my truck said only 1 front and 1 rear tire were spinning as I was trying to get unstuck. Can anyone give me a brief explanation why all 4 tires don't spin when in 4x4? Thanks
     
  2. Feb 25, 2020 at 4:56 PM
    #2
    puddle

    puddle Well-Known Member

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  3. Feb 25, 2020 at 4:59 PM
    #3
    nathanroyse

    nathanroyse Well-Known Member

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    Better than just 1 wheel drive with a 4x2. Lol. You would think that the computers would know that the wheels are just spinning...
     
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  4. Feb 25, 2020 at 4:59 PM
    #4
    clawj

    clawj [OP] Member

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    So this is normal? Turn the dial on the dash to 4wd and only 2 tires engage ?
     
  5. Feb 25, 2020 at 5:00 PM
    #5
    nathanroyse

    nathanroyse Well-Known Member

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    Yeah. Since both front and rear diffs are open. TRD Offroad comes with a Rear locker so you get 3 instead of 2.
     
  6. Feb 25, 2020 at 5:00 PM
    #6
    puddle

    puddle Well-Known Member

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    Yes, I added a video to my original post, kinda explains things
     
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  7. Feb 25, 2020 at 5:04 PM
    #7
    Taco505

    Taco505 Well-Known Member

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    It is normal because most 4x4 vehicles have open differentials as some others have mentioned. If you’re stuck in a bad spot airing down your tires will help provide some extra traction and can help get you in a better position to get out.
     
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  8. Feb 25, 2020 at 5:12 PM
    #8
    BSFord

    BSFord Well-Known Member

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    No no no no no.... while technically that is correct, the traction system should kick in and emulate a locking diff on both axles by applying brakes to the spinning wheel thus engaging the tire getting traction

    You do not need a locking differential for anything but extream off roading
     
  9. Feb 25, 2020 at 5:14 PM
    #9
    Bertw192

    Bertw192 Well-Known Member

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    All the things!
    Be sure you have some way to air up. Last thing you want to do is drop down in air pressure and then have to get on a highway at reduced pressure.
     
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  10. Feb 25, 2020 at 5:19 PM
    #10
    clawj

    clawj [OP] Member

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    This would make sense. I was trying turning the traction control off ( experimenting what i should do when ice fishing) . So I guess I should not have turned the traction control off and left it on, while in 4H .
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2020
  11. Feb 25, 2020 at 5:29 PM
    #11
    Iwilltaco

    Iwilltaco Well-Known Member

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    Good AT tires will help
     
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  12. Feb 25, 2020 at 5:33 PM
    #12
    mtip

    mtip Go Outside & Play!!!

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  13. Feb 25, 2020 at 5:33 PM
    #13
    slowtacotruck

    slowtacotruck Well-Known Member

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    stuff
    Try gently applying the brakes while accelerating. It might help you with getting unstuck.
     
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  14. Feb 25, 2020 at 5:42 PM
    #14
    clawj

    clawj [OP] Member

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    Absolutely agree, basically one month left of winter so at this point for the 1 or 2 more times I may need 4x4 I'll just use the current tires the rest of this winter and thru the summer. Then buy a new set of proper AT tires for next winter
     
  15. Feb 25, 2020 at 6:04 PM
    #15
    TacoManOne

    TacoManOne YotaWerx Authorized Tuner

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    Crawl control might help.
     
  16. Feb 25, 2020 at 6:07 PM
    #16
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

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    My God... I am glad somebody with some sense answered!
     
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  17. Feb 25, 2020 at 6:11 PM
    #17
    su.b.rat

    su.b.rat broken truck

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    welcome to da dumbgeon. kinda surprising folks buy these vehicles w/o a working understanding. i don't even buy$20 stuff if i don't know how it works. thanks for TW anyway.
     
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  18. Feb 25, 2020 at 6:12 PM
    #18
    Marshall R

    Marshall R Well-Known Member

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    You do get power to all 4 wheels, at least when moving in a straight line. But if you go around a corner the power will only go to one wheel on each axle. This is necessary because the outside wheels have much farther to travel around a corner than the inside wheel. They need to be able to turn at different speeds.

    In certain extremely low traction situations, like ice, the axle thinks you are going around a corner and will send power to only 1 wheel on each axle. Unfortunately the one with the least traction.

    There are several ways to help. Most newer vehicles come with traction control which will use the computer to gently apply brakes to the spinning wheel. This tricks the axle into sending power to the other wheel, the one hopefully with better traction. I'm surprised a 2017 didn't have traction control. Did you have it in low range? On some vehicles traction control shuts off in low range. You can also gently apply the parking brake to achieve the same thing.

    Some trucks have a limited slip axle in the rear. This senses wheel spin and will attempt to send power to the other wheel. Many newer trucks now come with a locking rear axle. You flip a switch and the rear axle locks both wheels together. This is fine for getting out of a jam, but shouldn't be left on, this is for temporary use when you're really stuck. If you turn a corner with it locked on a dry hard surface you risk breaking stuff.

    Any of those tricks will get both rear wheels turning, but you'll still only have one on the front. There are a handful of vehicles available with a locking front axle and some guys do it aftermarket. But it is one of those things that if used in the wrong setting will break expensive parts.

    FWIW, I've been driving 4X4's for over 40 years. I've only had one truck with a limited slip axle and 2 with a locking rear diff. And none prior to 2007. I managed to do just fine without them. Only used the locking diff twice since 2007. Driving skill still trumps gadgets.
     
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  19. Feb 25, 2020 at 6:14 PM
    #19
    BSFord

    BSFord Well-Known Member

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    :hattip:
     
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  20. Feb 25, 2020 at 6:22 PM
    #20
    jowybyo

    jowybyo Well-Known Member

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    This isnt exactly emulating a locking diff. Probably something closer to a limited slip diff.
     

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