Four wheel drive "drag...?

I'm all new to these tacos.

Today I needed to do a three point turn around in a steep drive . I had engaged 4WD to save wear and tear on the drive up pulling a utility trailer.

The movement of the truck felt like the brakes were on the entire time I was executing the turn around. The engine even stalled once. (N.B. Standard trans, but that is the only kind I have.)

Is this drag "NORMAL"?

 

Sounds like you need to do some research on how part-time 4WD systems work. Bottom line, you can't make tight turns in 4WD on pavement. The wheels need to be able to slip to prevent binding.

 

Oh! NO Pavement was harmed (or even within 2 miles ) of this event. I live on DIRT! ;-)

I'm used to my Isuzu Trooper with the Torque On Demand System. I would like that transfer case on the Taco right now!

 

Were the tires spinning?

Disengage Traction Control?

 

No tire spinning, Gravel surfaces were dry, grass was "normal" Not long or wet. Hmm... Traction control... I'll look it up in the hand book. Maybe I should shut some system off to allow greater freedom.

Hmm... Hold that button for more than three seconds....

I'm impressed that TRAC would be active at .005 mph.

 

The Traction Control system can be detrimental to forward progress depending on the conditions.

 

Spanky would say ......"It's kind of a drag when your baby says she don't love you.

 

If the gravel road is really Hardpan, then the 4X4 system can bind up in a turn similar to turning on pavement if there is no loose surface for the wheels to slip on as a means of counteracting the wheels rotating at different speeds in a turn.

I have stalled my M/T Taco on a few occasions while backing up. This is due to reverse gear being geared way to high. Solution: shift to 4wLo or go with high revs and ride the clutch a bit.

Also, while I am no expert at off-roading, it seems to me that 4x4 on a regular gravel road does more to save wear and tear on the road than it does anything for the truck. Toyota does recommend using 4x4 briefly once a month but this is more to prevent actuator seizing than anything else.

 

Some other members on here have had similar issues with steep driveways & trailers. This may be worth a read.

The kit is currently Sold Out. But there's also a thread on how to DIY.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-2wd-low-range-for-the-3rd-gen-tacoma.614743/

DIY Thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lock-stock-and-2wheel-low-3rd-gen-diy-mod.536677/

 

I think...It's the electronic anti slip control.

I'll play in my drive tomorrow. I picked up a wood burning stove, and unloaded the trailer at home this afternoon..

Some times technology gets ahead of it's self.

ETA

Does anyone know how the "hill hold" feature might come into play? It works spectacularly on a few specific intersections here in town.

 

You Know, when I read this response, I think of the adage, "The best you have experienced, is the best you know".

I've experienced "Better" 4WD performance and feel. I'm looking to understand how to get that similar level of experience with the Tonka truck.

 

Sounds normal to me. Even on gravel the front and rear are going to be fighting a bit in a tight turn. It feels different, even with out all the electronic crap.

 

You are binding up the 4WD system because you apparently haven't experienced one before. The "better" systems you are referring too are not true 4WD systems, but some form of AWD that allows differentiation between the front and rear axles. A true 4WD system doesn't allow this front to rear differentiation and thus binds in slow tight turns with even moderate amounts of grip.

 

I interpret your responses as a sign that you didn't understand what type of 4x4 system you were getting with a Tacoma.

Your Tonka Truck just isn't equipped for your "better" 4x4 experience, so I bid you good luck on your modding

 

Fighting a little is fine with me. I've had that (FJ40. FJ55, Dodge 4X4 . 4wd S-10s, Isuzu Troopers, endless Audis . Hey, My first 4 wd was a jeep with no roof!

this is not my first rodeo.

I didn't want all these bells and whistles, but they came with the 6MT .. so ..

There it is.

If it only takes a 3 second press of a button to return to "the good old days", I'm all in!

 

It’s not traction control it’s physical driveline bind.

I’ve bound my truck up trying to do tight 3 point turns on dirt to the point where the engine was revving but I wasn’t moving an inch. Try a 5 or 7 point turn where the wheel isn’t cranked as hard. It takes a while but way less bind.

 

So if the taco displays abnormally high resistance compared to all the other 4WD and AWD (Quattro) vehicles (there must be 12 or more)
You are saying it's "technique"?

I'm not buying that. Toyota wasn't that dumb when they made the FJ40, they were not that dumb when they made the FJ55.
I put 100s of thousands of miles on those 4WD rigs and NEVER felt the drag I felt today.

I want this FIXED damnit!

 

Then there is this

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/a-trac-trac-auto-lsd-explained-easy-to-understand-i-hope.70551/

 

I wonder if the long wheelbase + tight turning radius make the wheel speed difference higher and the driveline resistance more apparent versus a short wheelbase vehicle like a wrangler or FJ.