When offroad I keep my truck in 1st unless I am cruising along and the rpm's get up above 2500. Then I'll put it in 2nd until I slow down again. This way it isn't searching for gears and the power is immediate.
Off roading with Traction Control.
- Thread starter Mesofluk
- Start date
Mesofluk
New member
Thanks for the input, the terrain I deal with is mud/soft ground and rocks. I live in Newfoundland Canada, so it's a rocky muddy island.
Driving threw some deep snow and rutty high sections,I was in 4H in 3rd and had the Control system clicking away. If I was in a lower gear I wouldn't have it trying to pull gears. Thanks for the advice and as my project and adventure continues. I'll be sure to post some videos.
Driving threw some deep snow and rutty high sections,I was in 4H in 3rd and had the Control system clicking away. If I was in a lower gear I wouldn't have it trying to pull gears. Thanks for the advice and as my project and adventure continues. I'll be sure to post some videos.
FYI, if you put the shifter in 3 it will use gears 1 through 3. 1 and 2 if you put it in 2, and so on. Usually the automatic transmission does a good job, so you don't have to worry about it. The only times I downshift are to control my speed going down a hill, or if I really want to crawl over something in 4L. In 4L it tends to go to 2 really quickly unless you put it in L.
I don't think VSC was really explained in this thread yet. VSC mainly brakes individual wheels to try to keep you going in the direction you point the steering wheel. It might also reduce power to keep you from spinning the wheels and spinning out. It's basically designed to keep the handling as predictable as possible when you exceed the limits of traction. I find it to be useful on mud and snow, but it can get in the way sometimes. A lot of people here don't like it, and it can make driving off road less fun (but arguably more safe)
TRAC (or ATRAC or whatever) basically tries to get you moving/accelerating when one or more wheels have less traction, and it's a substitute for limited slip differentials. It might reduce engine power, too, so you don't overpower it, but it might not when VSC is off. VSC and TRAC might both run at the same time.
There are many other functions of the brake control system. ABS keeps the wheels from locking up to help you maintain steering during hard braking, and to maximize braking power on unevenly slippery surfaces. EBD balances braking force between the front and rear wheels (using the same interrupting mechanism as ABS, I think). Brake Assist boosts the brakes when it thinks you are making an emergency stop, but I find it annoying because after a hard stop if I let off the brakes, then brake a little more it goes back to emergency stop mode even if I'm just pressing the pedal lightly now. HAC tries to keep you from rolling backwards on hills, but it doesn't work very well. It helps to press the brakes hard before releasing the brake and moving your foot to the gas if you want to use this feature. There's no button to activate it, just roll backwards in Drive. DAC pulses the brakes to keep your speed between 2-4mph in 4L to help you maintain control in very slippery situations. It's not too useful most of the time, but occasionally it's nice. Auto LSD is I think only found on 2WD models, and it works like ATRAC, I think. I don't know why it's there, except that LSD is a selling point for 2WD trucks, so they didn't want to be left out.
I don't think VSC was really explained in this thread yet. VSC mainly brakes individual wheels to try to keep you going in the direction you point the steering wheel. It might also reduce power to keep you from spinning the wheels and spinning out. It's basically designed to keep the handling as predictable as possible when you exceed the limits of traction. I find it to be useful on mud and snow, but it can get in the way sometimes. A lot of people here don't like it, and it can make driving off road less fun (but arguably more safe)
TRAC (or ATRAC or whatever) basically tries to get you moving/accelerating when one or more wheels have less traction, and it's a substitute for limited slip differentials. It might reduce engine power, too, so you don't overpower it, but it might not when VSC is off. VSC and TRAC might both run at the same time.
There are many other functions of the brake control system. ABS keeps the wheels from locking up to help you maintain steering during hard braking, and to maximize braking power on unevenly slippery surfaces. EBD balances braking force between the front and rear wheels (using the same interrupting mechanism as ABS, I think). Brake Assist boosts the brakes when it thinks you are making an emergency stop, but I find it annoying because after a hard stop if I let off the brakes, then brake a little more it goes back to emergency stop mode even if I'm just pressing the pedal lightly now. HAC tries to keep you from rolling backwards on hills, but it doesn't work very well. It helps to press the brakes hard before releasing the brake and moving your foot to the gas if you want to use this feature. There's no button to activate it, just roll backwards in Drive. DAC pulses the brakes to keep your speed between 2-4mph in 4L to help you maintain control in very slippery situations. It's not too useful most of the time, but occasionally it's nice. Auto LSD is I think only found on 2WD models, and it works like ATRAC, I think. I don't know why it's there, except that LSD is a selling point for 2WD trucks, so they didn't want to be left out.
BlackWorksInc
New member
I need to figure out what was going on with my 4Runner last Hollister trip, but for the life of me the 4Runner was fighting me the entire time on the V-Notch with the traction control. It's been the first time in a long while (and honestly the worst time) that the "electronic nannies" have let me down/fought me so aggressively off-road.
Even in 4Lo, CDL On, and in 1st the 4Runner kept cutting power and TRAC seemed to be engaging oddly (not locking up the wheels as aggressively as it should); I would literally not even touch the gas and the 4Runner was getting itself in a really bad bucking over-spinning the wheels that got to the point I half expected an axle to snap. Even pulling the brake booster pressure switch an an ABS relay seemed to not do too much in that case... very odd. Oh well, more reason to get some scrap relays and a VSC Off Switch and build a solid disable.
Point being, you gotta play with it some to get used to it; but in some odd cases you might still find it messing with you.
Even in 4Lo, CDL On, and in 1st the 4Runner kept cutting power and TRAC seemed to be engaging oddly (not locking up the wheels as aggressively as it should); I would literally not even touch the gas and the 4Runner was getting itself in a really bad bucking over-spinning the wheels that got to the point I half expected an axle to snap. Even pulling the brake booster pressure switch an an ABS relay seemed to not do too much in that case... very odd. Oh well, more reason to get some scrap relays and a VSC Off Switch and build a solid disable.
Point being, you gotta play with it some to get used to it; but in some odd cases you might still find it messing with you.
Mesofluk
New member
Before I got my 4R I drove a f-150 with front lockers, so it was all peddle and momentum to get threw some spots. I tried the same approach today in my 04 SR5 V8. I drove threw a run of deep snow and ruts over gravel. I put it in 4H and 3rd. I hit it at like I would in my truck and it made it's way threw with clicks and sounds but defiantly slowed it self down. I came around a second time, putting it in 4L and L gear. I kept the rpm's around 2500 and when it seamed to slow down and start to get stuck, then it just kept on pulling. It made it's way threw, so it is something to get used to for sure.
try it again and keep it under 2000, it'll make a big difference.
Oh maybe the tman dont know everything? Balls deep baby. Isnt that what you said.
Forum king. I am tman..
I have the VSC delete mod. I've never had to use it unless i'm in the snow and wanna do some donuts. A-Trac is pretty awesome off road and especially when going down steep inclines unpaved.
Some people will tell you all about how they don't like Nanny mode and can drive better without it but i've never met a driven who knew how to apply brakes to one side to straighten out the vehicle when you get yaw on steep inclines.
In addition i've made it up hills will A-Trac clicking away that 80's and Rubicons couldn't make it up.
Some people will tell you all about how they don't like Nanny mode and can drive better without it but i've never met a driven who knew how to apply brakes to one side to straighten out the vehicle when you get yaw on steep inclines.
In addition i've made it up hills will A-Trac clicking away that 80's and Rubicons couldn't make it up.
???
Threw it in 4Lo this evening. Couldn't tell a difference digging in sand up a hill. Atrac acted the same just tires were moving slower because I was in lower gearing.
Burnzy
New member
The very first time I went off road I learned that my 4Runner was unstoppable if I let the truck do what the Toyota engineers designed it to do. Especially steep climbs on wet rocks, A-trac worked like magic. 4 low + steady gas = badassery. I am no expert off road and lack the experience of many people on this forum but what my limited experience to date has taught me is slow and steady is the key with A-trac. It's a great tool once you decide to trust it.
Try this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=187143
Follow the TSB (attached in the linked thread) instructions for erasing the point values, stop before following the reprogramming instructions. Kills both TC and VSC without unplugging anything or affecting ABS. Reversing this and reactivating them requires completing the TSB and takes all of 30 seconds. Easy as hell.
Note: The torsen limited slip works when in AWD or when the center diff is locked, however when in RWD you have an open diff.
Enjoy!
Follow the TSB (attached in the linked thread) instructions for erasing the point values, stop before following the reprogramming instructions. Kills both TC and VSC without unplugging anything or affecting ABS. Reversing this and reactivating them requires completing the TSB and takes all of 30 seconds. Easy as hell.
Note: The torsen limited slip works when in AWD or when the center diff is locked, however when in RWD you have an open diff.
Enjoy!
