4 diff lock

[aamills]

Hi all great 4runners. It's been a long time since I checked out this great knowledge base. But this site sold me on the 4runner. I am sure the answer already is probably posted but what a time to wish everyone a great Thanks Giving and to get some knowledge on my 4runner.

Last weekend I decide to take her off the road for some off roading, and this not being the first, I locked up the diff to pull through the mud (in hi 4wrd). I had to spin them to get through it then all a sudden the traction control kicks in. Not good when you are in half a foot of mud, got all the wheels locked up and the traction control kicks in.
Does this happen to all 4 runners? Any recomendation for future mud fling'n rides?
I got an 05 V6 Sport.
Thanks!

 

[GatorGreg]

I don't have ATRAC but from reading pont 3 of Thai's 2nd post in this thread ( http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=12 ) it looks like you need to make sure you've locked the center diff to disarm the VSC (which can cut throttle) and then you will probably just need to give it a lot of gas to overcome the braking effect that ATRAC may apply - this will give you a pseudo limited slip diff on front and rear axles (in theory )

 

[Thai]

Yup...that's normal. Locking the center diff ONLY turns off VSC (stability control). Traction control (ATRAC) is always ON.

From my experience with my '02 4runner, you can "override" the traction control by pressing the gas pedal enough to get past 2500-3000 rpms. Above this rpm, traction control tends to back off...thus, allowing you to spin your tires to get out. Some 4th gen owners have noted this same "get out of jail" technique.

BTW, even in mud, i am usually in 4-LO, not 4-Hi. 4-LO will give you more control. And 4-LO should be enough to give you all the speed that you need to create momentum in mud. Now, if you own a Jeep Rubicon or Hummer H3 w/ Adventure Pkg, then 4-LO may be too low, but in the 4runner, 4-LO is perfect for most off-roading conditions.

If you still cannot get out with the above technique, then it's time to get more aggressive tires!

 

[aamills]

Thanks for the info. Next time I will put in the 4-lo, diff locked and keep the rpms above 2500.
The tires are sure part of the problem, as they are the original donflops. They are still in good condition for the fact they have 27,000 miles. And it has been a trouble free 27,000 miles. Only wish I got the V-8 because now I pull a boat. The V6 does ok, V8 would have been better.