Advice/information on my 4x4

Hey guys/gals, new to the forum here. I have a 2011 sr5 v6 4x4 tacoma DC. I dont have a locking rear or the TRD sport Pckg.

1. Can I upgrade to the TRD sport package? or am I locked cause the car is already built?

2. I drive the same beach several times a week and today for the first time I got stuck. Same track as all other times. It was weird its like the tires just stopped spinning. I wasnt even digging in. Reverse went just fine. It was strange. I was in H4 like every other time. any advice?

Thank you

-Nick

 

1: you would have to swap out axles from a TRD to get the locker. Or install an aftermarket locker to get the same thing.

2: not sure, do the sr5's have traction control?

 

It is not cost effective to upgrade a base model 4x4 to a TRD Sport or Off Road. I have not even heard of anyone who has successfully added all the electronics to do so. Only the TRD Off Road has the rear locker, the TRD Sport does not. You can add a rear locker to your truck though by either swapping the entire rear axle and wiring from a TRD Off Road or by getting something like the ARB kit. I can't help you as far as getting stuck, your 2011 has a lot more electronic crap than my 2007 and it sounds like one of those systems was kicking in and killing the power to the wheels.

 

welcome! getting stuck could have been the traction control kicking in.. next time try turning it off.. maybe that will help

 

Well It seems to me that it would be much more cost effective (and way better performing) to buy a SR5, and put ARB's front and rear rather than buying a stock TRD offroad.

OP, no matter what its going to be expensive to get the locker and do it right.

 

well. Thanks for the info on the trd stuff. I figured all I can do is upgrade my shocks.

As far as the getting stuck. I have traction control that beeps at me when it is slipping. I hear it all the time. I did not hear it this time. what system could possibly kill the power? How would reverse be so effective but fwd no good. how does that work?

again, Thanks!

 

It had to be the traction control, I know from experience (my buddies 4runner) that it is a huge disadvantage in the sand. As Whippersnapper said, put in in 4low, drop the air pressure, and turn off the traction control.

 

I was reading that it was bad for the vehicle to put it in 4 high on pavement. is this true? I did this a couple of times for a mile or so. I hope I didnt damage/bind anything. I also read in my manual is says you can do it up to 62 mph for 4H. I'm so confused. new guy here...clue-less. trying to learn though.

 

It's bad to turn while in 4x4 on a surface with no give like pavement .

You will probably be fine

 

There is a huge debate over whether or not you should or should not use 4wd on pavement. Personally, I strongly believe that you should NOT use 4wd on pavement although if you go in a straight line it shouldn't harm anything. You can use 4hi up to 62 MPH (or whatever the manual says the top speed is) but if you feel you need to be in 4wd because of the conditions, it's probably not a great idea to be going 62 MPH...

 

Guess I would have known that if I read the manual huh?

 

There's no debate , you shouldn't need it on dry pavement ever .

 

Touche

No need in regular driving conditions .

 

I agree, I was just trying to be sensitive to those who like to put unnecessary strain their transfer case

 

that link was awesome. wish I would have seen it before ever driving in 4wd. Is there a chance I have binded the drive train? what are the symptoms of that? would it drive normally? just covering all my bases. yall have been such an awesome source of info!

Nick