Adding an LSD for Snow Traction.

My understanding is that my 2015 TRD Sport has a brake traction aid which basically uses the brake to act as an anchor point.

I would like to add a true LSD as I’ve had this on other vehicles and found it helped in the type of snow driving I do

so which one and which axle.

 

Yes it’s a 4x4 and yes I run Hakka R3’s and yes I put weight in bed and no. Not interested in lockers.

 

2nd Gen Tacoma Sport models up to 2008 had a real LSD.

 

2015. So I order Toyota part ?

 

Look at the Detroit Truetrac. It goes in the rear. Research it and you'll be impressed.

 

For most use in snow or ice the traction control you have is superior to either LSD or lockers. For temporary use in deep snow just to get moving a locker can help. But for general driving having an axle locked or using LSD is a disadvantage. The last thing you want in snow or ice is to have BOTH rear wheels spinning. Most roads are crowned with the center higher so water will drain to the ditch. If both rear wheels spin on snow and ice they go downhill. Into the ditch.

I've had several trucks over the years with LSD. In my experience the advantages are very limited. Between LSD and traction control I'll take traction control every time. In really harsh stuff then I'd skip straight over LSD and go to lockers.

 

I've had a Detroit Tru-Trac, great unit, recommend it highly

 

I just got one installed last month. So far great in the rain a few days ago. Heading out to the trails in a few weeks to really test it out

 

i have considerable experience with a Truetrac in winter conditions and i can't agree more with what they said ^.

you will get (and already have gotten) advice that says that the Truetrac isnt good or safe on snow or ice because it will spin you out. this advice is based on not understanding how the Truetrac works (thinking it suddenly locks... which it doesnt).

 

Yea. Going to go with the LSD. For type of winter driving I do it works better than open diff with brake trac and I have no use for lockers. This was first winter had to drive the Tacoma daily on long snow commute and I miss lsd.

Will look into True Trac in the rear

 

Assuming sourcing the Toyota parts would be cost-prohibitive

My Ram 2500 PW had a locking diff and had a limited-slip when not the diff was not locked. Last winter the commute was in an Outback with X Mode which climbed snowy inclines I had all kinds of problems with the Taco

 

Another positive from Truetrac-equipped truck. That thing is fantastic and behaves very well in all conditions - dry/wet/snow.

 

I have a TrueTrac as well. love it. No down side at all.

Next wire in a switch to disable the stability control and traction control and you have a fun truck in the snow without the fun nannies interfering.

 

Detroit TrueTrac is hands down one of my favorite mods in the rear axle. On my 2015 I swapped out the OR locker axle for the 8.4 to add a TrueTrac and never looked back. The real time torque vectoring is unmatched by any reactionary brake based system.

 

Good to hear this. I will have it installed for next winter for sure. Was going to give up on the Taco for my winter commuting.

 

Marshall is correct. When both wheels are spinning side to side traction is lost and the vehicle will fishtail. I had a Cherokee with a Tru Trac and it was great off road but a handful on snowy/icy roads.

 

My 08 Tacoma only had the LSD, no traction system. In 2wd only, it did better than my 19 4Runner does in the snow in only 2wd. I feel the traction system on my 4Runner doesn't always help much in 2wd. However, my 4Runner does have VSC, and when the wheels do break loose, it does help keep the vehicle in line.

 

possibly but with the LS on my Ram PW I found I would fishtail less (very infrequently) compared to driving with an open diff. And I felt a lot more secure climbing snowy inclines.