What to do to 2wd to avoid getting stuck

Maybe get a bumper and install a winch.

 

It was mentioned earlier... but dropping the tires(all 4) air pressure in half or less will be like night and day difference for 2WD to improve flotation and traction. The video rock lobster shows of the truck spinning tires, kicking rocks all over is an example of how not to off road in 2WD. Get a good air pump and deflate off the pavement.

 

I just want to clarify again, I'm definitely not trying to treat my 2wd like a 4x4. I understand it's basically just a heavy car with a bed, which is mostly what I need (I use it pretty exclusively as a DD/work vehicle). With that said, I feel like it's not unreasonable to want to be able to get my car unstuck if it somehow ends up that way. Thanks to the majority of you who helped out with my questions.

After this thread, I've been doing a lot of reading on lockers and LSD, and apparently my truck has a LSD button. I don't think the dealer mentioned it, and I haven't come across it in the manual yet. David, I'm hoping you can help me understand better when/if I should engage LSD, since you seem to be the resident expert. Thanks!

 

I'm not David, but just FYI that Auto LSD button isn't a true LSD. It's a simulation using the brakes to slow one wheel to transfer power to the other. It's okay, but not as good as a true LSD in most cases.

Basically when you hit that button you turn of TRAC and the axles is allowed to spin as fast as you can push the pedal. The brakes slow down whichever tire slips which then transfers power to the other wheel that hopefully has grip.

 

Whew, good thing the 4x4 hard on crew is here to represent You do realize not everyone needs or wants 4wd or do you always live in fantasy land? Man I really wish I bought my truck to suit your needs lol

 

Whew thank god another 2WD showed up, it was getting pretty 4x4 up in this 2WD thread.

 

Do the 4WD axle swap! (If you have 10 grand laying somewhere)
Just kidding, all terrain tires are a great start and weight in the back, works well in snow but unless you have room to haul ass over sand, I wouldn't take mine through serious stuff

 

2wd here. Don't need 4x4 as I never crawl nor do I want to in my truck. I just need it to go places my lowered Civic can't go, which is anywhere that ins't pavement.

 

Its funny, the 4x4's get butthurt because all of the SAS guys tell them the same thing, why didnt you buy a real 4x4. So they feel better if they pick on 2wd trucks but they don't realize we bought a 2wd for a reason

 

It is a endless cycle.

 

nice whippersnapper.

 

LOL

 

First of all to understand what happened to whipper, you gotta understand who whipper the snapper was......

 

Just ask David K he has some nice comments about him

 

I have a 2WD off road model.. Sounds stupid. 2WD Off road.. But I rarely use it to go crawling or anything like that mostly work related stuff and occasional off pavement stuff. My truck has the rear differential lock, It has helped me out of a few situations that I shouldn't have got into. I got stuck in some mud once, not realizing how deep it was. Once i switched the dif lock on I easily backed out and kept on going. So i can attest to a locker making a big difference. Also, when I go to the snow or areas I know Ill need more traction I toss some sand bags in the back of my bed and it seems to help immensely. Sand bags at home depot are like 2 bucks ea.

 

I recommend just going into a dirt area and play with the choices... now a 2WD has just a couple:
1) Standard Mode: TRAC [light limited slip action using engine regulation and auto slowing of the slipping tire]
2) Push the VSC OFF button, quickly: AUTO LSD (aka TRAC OFF MODE) [stronger limited slip action auto slowing of the spinning tire, forcing power to the traction tire]. Press while moving or stopped, VSC remains off to 30 mph.
3) Stop moving, push and hold in the VSC OFF button for a few seconds (until lights indicate). This is VSC OFF MODE, with NO traction control and NO stability control [just plain old open differential, but VSC will come back on if it detects dangerous driving]

While AUTO LSD is no locking differential, it does indeed provide effective traction assist compared to non assisted selection (#3 above) and better than the standard TRAC mode (#1 above) the truck in normally in.

I suggest people try the factory equipped equipment they get on the Tacoma, before paying a fortune for after-market aids. Just make sure you will really need it!

 

I don't say bad things unless provoked... and then not bad as I read other's comments. I wasn't the one banned, after-all. I only wished whipper/lobster would have met me so we could wheel together and I could show him how to use the A-TRAC. In his video clip where he says it proves it doesn't work... it didn't, but hearing the engine, there was no consistent application of the accelerator to crawl over the little bump his tire was up against. I have never had such a capable 4WD as my 2010 Tacoma... never prevented me from getting any place I wanted, and never been stuck with it (and I have tried).

Last month in Baja California, some photos of the road I took it on with 11 other 4x4s:

 

lol.