Let's Talk VSC

I will echo this. I've said it before, the Taco is the first vehicle that I don't mind driving with the TRAC systems left alone. Although pre-ECU TSB, going long press on the TCS Off button did make the engine slightly more driveable. No need for that post-TSB. I owned RWD and FWD cars in growing up in PA. This is my first part time 4wd and front engine / RWD MT other than motorcycles.

In our old turbo FWD MT cars, I always turned of TCS / VSC before driving anywhere. Loosing boost with the smallest amount of wheel slip was on the order of the unpredictable hesitation that folks post about in their AT Tacos. I found that our previous VSC systems would cause the car to run wide in corners, whether on snow tires or all seasons, wet, dry, or slick. This always felt less safe than going full manual and coping with a bit of wheel spin.

When the bug hits, I will turn off the TRAC systems off to screw around. I have found my truck (ACLB Sport MT with the swaybar delete) to be great for driving in all conditions, including four wheel drifts in wet corners. The stock Toyo A30s do suck in the wet but are perfectly fine if not driving faster than folks should for conditions. I would like a bit more stick in the wet given the climate here.

For 2Hi in default mode, the rear will swing out just a bit. VSC brings it back in line, though I wish it would allow a touch more yaw. As hard as I try, the system keeps me in the lane, like @hiPSI noted. I do find that TRAC will fire at times without decreasing the throttle, only for quick taps of one of the rear brakes. As @BigWhiteTRD said, the TCS system will fire when off the throttle to keep the truck in line if needed.

AutoLSD hooks up very nicely. Most corners that I mess around on usually kick it over to VSC mode (35mph+). So, the rear will catch. I've screwed around in snow with it, and it doesn't add significant traction due to the weaksauce tires. Dirt and gravel, it is fun.

Long Press (all systems off) is nice for a good time.

Similarly in 4Hi and 4Lo, the default mode in SRs, SR5s, Sports, and Limiteds is all systems on. It is different in the ORs and Pros. Zero complaints. The Taco is more capable than my pucker limit.

 

So just confirming it's normal when VSC kicks in to hear a buzzing/grinding noise from the front end? It was during an accelerating turn in 2WD. Is this the ABS kicking in to control traction?

 

It looks like you have a Sport. The ABS pump is mounted on top of the right fender just ahead of the firewall. So yeah, you will hear that thing firing when any part of the TRAC, VSC, or ABS system goes off.