Limited Slip vs. Locking

Do the newest Tacoma's with the off-road trim line have true locking or limited slip rear differentials?

 

Its a true locker, but it also has an electronic LSD feature.

 

So when is the true locker engaged and when is the LSD engaged?

 

LSD you push a button, Locker only when in 4lo on 4x4 unless you do an easy mod. Prerunner can use locker anytime.

 

Yep, the electronic lsd is just slightly better than an open diff.

 

Got a link to that mod??

 

search for locker anytime mod and it will come up

 

'Limited Slip' since 2009 is Traction Control (electronic sensors, ABS brakes)

All Tacomas since 2009 model have 2 levels of limited slip in 2WD.

2009-2011 4WD Tacomas have 1 level of limited slip in H4 (4WD High).

2012 + 4WD Tacomas have 2 levels of limited slip in H4 (4WD High).

The two levels are called TRAC, and AUTO LSD or TRAC OFF.
TRAC is limited slip with engine regulation.
AUTO LSD or TRAC OFF is limited slip without engine regulation.

The exception was the 2009-2011 4WD Tacomas in H4, where the limited slip was called TRAC, but it was with the regulation turned off (TRAC OFF now).

Regulation Off 'TRAC' is stronger at getting through stuff or unstuck since there is no throttle control to prevent spinning of the free tire(s).

In L4 (Low Range), only the OFF ROAD TRD has A-TRAC a hyper-traction system that nearly locks the front and rear tires should any of them spin freely, so power goes to the tires that will move you.

The Off Road TRD also is the only model with a true locking rear differential for emergency un-stucks... on the 2WD or 4WD Off Road TRDs.

 

David, in my 2010 when I go to 4H the default is TRAC which is engine regulated, and you are saying when I turn it off it goes to auto lsd, not an open diff? I dont recall any lsd ever kicking in when in 4H with TRAC off but maybe im not remembering.

 

4WD High TRAC in our 2010 is the same as AUTO LSD in 2WD, except on all 4 tires.

It is how it is explained in the 2009 tech bulletins. Note the bottom chart in H4: *4 (Engine Output is not regulated)

 

So when in 4H and I turn that off by holding the button it goes to open diffs front and rear?

Side note, when in sand the default 4H can be really annoying when it regulates your wheel spin and slows you down.

 

There is no throttle cut in H4 from 2009-2011 models... as it says in the chart, TRAC in H4 has no engine regulation. I have a 2010 Off Road, and it is amazing in H4 compared to my previous two Tacomas without the traction control. I feel no throttle control in H4 Trac, only in H2 Trac.

The beep-beep-beep can be annoying in H4 is sand if you are driving aggressively, yes... It is the system telling you it is working. It doesn't bother me so much, but it would be nice to cancel the beeping.
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Tacobrah, if you stop moving and press and hold down the VSC button for over 3 seconds, you go into VSC OFF MODE. This is NO TRACTION CONTROL (open diffs)... which means tires that lose traction will spin and the good traction tires will do nothing to move you. Traction Control applies brake pressure to the spinning tires and that forces rotation to the traction tires so they can move you.

I have not experienced any slowing in H4 with TRAC in sand... just the opposite. Instead of getting stuck where I would before without deflating the tires, the truck keeps moving!
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berk, in 2012 Toyota added a 10th drive mode and changed one. 2012+ Tacomas have TRAC and TRAC OFF (as well as VSC OFF) all in H4 now.

TRAC (now) is traction control WITH engine regulation. Standard Mode.

NEW: Press quickly the VSC button and get into TRAC OFF for traction control without the regulation.

As before, if you stop moving and hold in the VSC button for 3+ seconds you turn off the VSC and turn off the traction control (VSC OFF MODE).

Pressing the button again or restarting your truck will return you tom the standard TRAC MODE.

From what you posted, I recommend you press the VSC button quickly to go into TRAC OFF MODE, so you can experience H4 without engine regulation, as I do in H4 (without pressing, since pre-2012 TRAC had no regulation).

 

Do they make a mechanical LSD for 2012+ Tacomas?

 

Toyota doesn't.....

But there are many aftermarket LSD's out there. Or...find a used rear axle off a 2005-2008 TRD Sport.

 

if you are going to do that, may as well get a locker and stop playing around.

 

I thought holding button for 3 seconds while sitting still turned that mess off. Full LSD power?

It is confusing I might be wrong.

 

What do you mean by full LSD power?
Holding button down while stopped turns off limited slip (traction control) and stability control. This makes the modern truck no different than one from 6+ years ago.

 

I had a locker in my '06 OffRoad, I have the electronic LSD in my '13 and '14 Sport. The loved the locker, the electronic LSD is almost useless IMO. As stated above, one step above an open diff. unfortunately, no other option in a Sport.

 

It's like when a person is super smart but they are so smart they can't perform normal life functions any longer! It would be best if you had a limited slip diff like the true trac, and then had a button to turn ON (like mentioned above) a brake assist function if needed.

 

can someone please tell me how the lsd works on my 2006 sport? What scenarios will it come in handy and can it be deactivated?