Crawl control made a fan out of me...

If the purpose you are referring to is preventing uneven wheel spin, then I disagree. Both the locker and traction control are trying to solve the same problem. Traction control limits it and the locker eliminates it. I don't see how eliminating the problem is defeating the purpose.

 

I think you're missing the point I'm trying to convey, but I don't think I'm being very clear with what I'm talking about. You're correct in that it won't (or rather, shouldn't) detect any slip while locked. But, again, even Toyota states the locker isn't needed for CC.

 

You're not understanding what I'm saying at all, but maybe that's my fault. I know what I'm trying to say, I'm just having a tough time putting it into words. I agree with what you are saying. But either way, CC and the locker are not needed at the same time.

 

Everybody thinks I'm crazy for wanting a live clutch. I have enjoyed one on other cars and bikes.

 

I get what you're saying but if Toyota publishes that they're simply wrong. And they don't lock out that option so they don't feel that strongly about it.

The point is it may absolutely be needed in specific cases simply because CC with brake implemented traction control cannot maximize use of the available traction but a locker will. When you need that last bit of traction to overcome something, the locker is the only option.

 

Someone chime in for MTS and whats the definition of a "live clutch"?

 

MTS is multi-terrain select. The 4LO traction control strategy in the OR and Pro trucks with auto transmissions. It has selectable slip ratios presented as a knob with different terrains. It is a version of Toyota's A-TRAC which they developed as a 4LO traction control strategy and it's found in manual transmission OR and Pro trucks as well as many other Toyota vehicles.

Live clutch means there's no switch that requires the clutch to be depressed to turn the starter.

 

Haven't read through all threads yet, hope I'm not repeating unnecessarily, but wanted to offer:

Electric motors have tremendous torque! That's the main reason for this technique (pulling the other guy out of the hole with the starter) being so successful.

 

Sweet.. Neat explanations everyone!

Never really used the MTS knob as my friend mentoring me told to get going in 4wd without any of the tech first so i get the principle first and then use tech to make it more managable. Had only used it to set the crawl speeds when trying that out.
I have never seen a live clutch here in the usa but the oldest vehicles I had driven were prob built after that mandate requiring those. Everything in Germany is live clutch. No sensors or even the key reminder beepage stuff.

 

OMG YES
I was new to the tacoma and off roading scene when I purchased my truck almost 2 years ago. Honestly the salesman sold me on the crawl mode and the OR trim versus the sport trim. That and the locker were the reasons I went with the OR trim. But honestly I've never used the crawl mode, and I've upgraded from the OR suspension. So I guess I bought the OR trim entirely for the locker...

 

I bought mine because it was blue.. didn't know or care about lockers, crawl control.. It was a blue truck to replace my old one. Never been offroad either until then.

Fast forward 2.5 years later:

 

How many times I've said this to myself as I have entirely redone the suspension front and rear, as well as UCA's. Sometimes I think I shoulda just bought an SR5 4x4!

However, the locker and CC are pretty damn cool features to have when you need/want them.

I first thought CC was just an interesting and novel little gimmick and I haven't used it much and have never been in a situation where I truly needed it. I kind of think of it as just another piece of (expensive) recovery gear. Peace of mind and all that...

 

I agree with you. CC is definitely not the end-all-be-all and certainly isn't going to be as strong as flat out locking the diff.

 

From what I'm reading, crawl mode is meant for getting un-stuck when you're SOL and can't move, even with your locker engaged. I heard you just have to turn the locker off, activate crawl mode, then sip on your beer (or tea for you underage folks) and enjoy the ride.

 

Unless you own a 2020 lol. But close. CC is more of an off road cruise control that uses the ABS system. It can be used to get you unstuck. Toyota recommends you only use your locker if you are already stuck, even though there are plenty of situations where it would be beneficial without already being stuck.

 

Yeah, I've never understood that mentality of, "Don't use it unless you need it." That's how my dad was raised with 4x4 and he would almost never actually put it in 4wd. Maybe it's a hold over from when you had to get out of the vehicle and manually lock the hubs.

I'm much more of the, "Use it before you need it," mentality. Don't wait until you're stuck to use the various features. Instead, use the features to make sure you don't get stuck.

 

Agreed, although I tend to do the first one more. Then again I drove a Mustang for a few winters so I'm a little more familiar with handling RWD in the winter than most people these days. But there's nothing like the confidence you get from 4x4 after that. It also teaches you to respect the conditions too.

 

Let's agree to disagree. I think traction control and the rear locker combined are better than traction control alone in many situations but not all. I have done lots of simple experiments to come to that conclusion. It also makes sense theoretically to me.

Also, why would you want an open diff in front when you have the rear locked? That doesn't make any sense to me. I've honestly never found a reason to turn ATRAC off. TRAC/VSC yes, but ATRAC no.

 

I definitely agree about the front diff. Although, correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't A-Trac mainly focus on the rear wheels while CC includes the front? Or is the only difference that you can adjust speed settings more with CC?

 

As far as I know, the wheel slip function of crawl control is identical to the one in ATRAC. There might be some slight differences. What makes crawl control different is that it does more than control wheel slip. It also controls the speed of the truck by varying the engine throttle and applying the ABS brakes to slow the truck.

AFAIK, ATRAC does not focus on the rear wheels. That doesn't make any sense to me. It's a 4lo traction control system; not a 2hi system.

ATRAC does not control the speed of the truck like crawl control does.

Think of ATRAC as multi-terrain select without the ability to adjust for terrain.

Think of crawl control as speed control combined with traction control.

ShimStack went over some of this in his posts.