BTW part of my confusion is the 04 had a so called "multi mode" 4WD and the dash light symbol when in 4H with ctr diff not locked was the same as the 16 "part time "in 4H ( a single line between axles with no X) so I took it as the same.
Quite frankly I never paid much attention to what mfg's call their 4WDs, just always try to delve into the functions to understand capabilities and limitations.
Now I usually drove in the sand in 4LO with ctr diff locked in the 04. Will also use 4LO in the 16. BUT I don't yet get the A-TRAC function available in 4LO with the 16.
Would appreciate thoughts on that in deep soft sand, on or off???
Alright Ted, first lesson of this forum: Do your research!
The quote below is from someone who I am sure is trying to help you with his experience right? Unfortunately, he has his terminology messed up and that will only confuse. In addition to that he has a vehicle that has options that your vehicle does not have. Let's fix his post first:
He has a Trail Edition 4Runner, not a SR5 like you. They have, in addition to rear e locker (which you don't have either) a multi mode setting that is like cruise control for off road. The KDSS he mentions that he has turned on is in reality a suspension component that has no on or off button. It's always active. You don't have that either on the SR5.
You kinda need to know the difference between part and full time 4WD as it pertains to the 4Runner. In addition to that you need to know exactly what your vehicle has in terms of options, otherwise there will be posts like the one below that, while trying to help, will only confuse.
Your signature line says SR5. The SR5 4Runner only has part time 4WD with a two speed transfer case. It also has ATRAC. It has VSC (little button near the sunroof with the car skidding symbol) and that's it as far as 4WD functions and things that can help get you through the sand, snow and mud.
Beach Driving
The number one thing you can do is buy some decent tires. There are a million different ones and a million different opinions on which one is best. My opinion is get a decent set of AT tires.
Leave it in Drive! Don't shift into 1st or 2nd and leave it there, especially for long beach drives. That's a sure fire way to heat the transmission.
Next is air down! Everyone will agree this is the second best thing (or best thing) you can do to get through the sand. 15-18 psi works well with the 4Runner.
After airing down you need to be in 4HI. This locks the front and rear axle together (no center diff like your old one had). 4LO is not necessary in normal beach driving as you don't need the extra torque, unless you just want to spin a deeper hole.
Now, in 4HI the VSC (vehicle stability control) is active, just like in 2HI. When I am in sand I turn it off. Why? Because leaving it on won't allow your wheels to spin at a different rate. It uses the ABS to control wheel spin and will also r e t a r d your throttle if you do start spinning. This is bad, especially when getting started from a stop in loose sand.
Now we get to ATRAC. ATRAC (which now would be a really good time to research this on your own - just google it) works by using ABS on all four wheels to control wheel spin. Remember VSC from above? Like that only it takes the throttle r e t a r d away. ATRAC is a very good thing as it mimics having lockers on front and rear. It works best when moving but will work from a standstill.
There are many people here that do a lot of beach driving and hopefully they will chime in. I have done my fair share and to recap:
Get good tires.
Air DOWN
Use 4HI
Leave it in Drive.
Turn off VSC
Use common sense and don't go where you don't need to be.
And that is how I drive around the barrier islands. No drama, no spinning, no excess heat in transmission, no nothing.
Now, if you do get stuck...
1. Collapsible shovel
2. Max Trax
Hope this helps.
There's a thread about A-TRAC with a lot a different opinions about it. I'll just share my experience with it. Last year at ramp 44, right by the Hatteras Light House (I know you know where that is) I hit some real deep soft sand. I was in 4hi with KDDS in the sand/loose rock setting. I got stuck so I went to 4lo, got going a little but was still struggling. So I decided to play with the gadgets on the truck, hit the rear locker and that was a little better but still was pretty bogged, I had movement but it wasn't getting up and out like I wanted, so I stopped, disengaged the locker and tried A-TRAC and it was like night and day, she immediately came up and out with no problem. For the rest of that trip I intentionally would find the deep soft stuff just to see if I could stick it and every time A-TRAC shined for me. Since then I've used A-TRAC in mud and snow with good results. That's just my experience. I've read a lot of different things about it here, some good some bad.
