Questions about V8 4WD system

4

4runninSD

New member
OK, so I am used to my tacoma 4wd system with rear locker, etc. This is my first 4runner so I want to know how to use it and mod it accordingly.

I know its a full time 4wheel drive which i like, but my questions are:

- Can I engage the center locking diff in 4Hi? What does the center locking diff do exactly and what situations would it help?

- When the center locking diff is engaged does it disable traction control?

- How do you use Down Hill assist? Do you have to be in 4low?

- What is the RCSA(?) button suppose to do?

- I have done a bit of research on how to disable traction control. I know there is a mod to unplug a wire to the ECU, is that the only option? I would like to set something like a switch to disable it on the fly or something like that.

Thanks for your help, here is a picture of me duning my 4runner out in glamis.

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/Mboll82/?action=view&current=b33756ba.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/Mboll82/b33756ba.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
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RSCA stands for Rollover Side Curtain Airbag. You can turn it off for off-roading but I leave it on in case of a roll over. The TC off button is to the left of it. When I lock the center diff it automatically turns off the TC. There should be a light on the dash that lights up to tell you the center diff is locked and the TC is off.

This is on my 2008. Not sure what you have on your year.

P1030279.jpg~original
 
They put that button in the 4wds for 08 and 09. And im not 100% on this but I believe it disables VSC not Trac
 
TRDCal said:
They put that button in the 4wds for 08 and 09. And im not 100% on this but I believe it disables VSC not Trac
Click to expand...

Yes, its referred to as VSC or Vehicle Stability Control. VSC is an integrated control of ABS, TC and engine control and is active above 9mph. My understanding of the system is shutting the VSC off will also shut off TC. I typically use the terms VSC and TC interchangeably. Both nanny aids that I'd rather not have.
 
Answering your questions:
- Can I engage the center locking diff in 4Hi? What does the center locking diff do exactly and what situations would it help?

Yes you can, It would probably only really help in sand or mud where keeping your tires spinning as fast as possible is helpful.

- When the center locking diff is engaged does it disable traction control?
Yes it does. I use it mostly in 4lo for donuts in the snow :) But it does.

- How do you use Down Hill assist? Do you have to be in 4low?
Yes you do. And i tried it once just to see what it did...thought it was dumb as I would rather control the braking myself...

- What is the RCSA(?) button suppose to do?
I have an 03 so i don't have that but that was explained above by Dawg4runner.

- I have done a bit of research on how to disable traction control. I know there is a mod to unplug a wire to the ECU, is that the only option? I would like to set something like a switch to disable it on the fly or something like that.

Yes only 08 and 09 had a disable traction control button. You can do it by locking the center diff...I have the v6 so disabling traction in 2x is much more fun than disabled traction control in 4hi. But yeah the wire mod is the only way. And I hear that you have to turn your truck off and back on...so you can turn it off on the fly but not turn it back on, on the fly. If that makes sense.

Hope that helps some.
 
settytb said:
Answering your questions:
- Can I engage the center locking diff in 4Hi? What does the center locking diff do exactly and what situations would it help?

Yes you can, It would probably only really help in sand or mud where keeping your tires spinning as fast as possible is helpful.

- When the center locking diff is engaged does it disable traction control?
Yes it does. I use it mostly in 4lo for donuts in the snow :) But it does.

- How do you use Down Hill assist? Do you have to be in 4low?
Yes you do. And i tried it once just to see what it did...thought it was dumb as I would rather control the braking myself...

- What is the RCSA(?) button suppose to do?
I have an 03 so i don't have that but that was explained above by Dawg4runner.

- I have done a bit of research on how to disable traction control. I know there is a mod to unplug a wire to the ECU, is that the only option? I would like to set something like a switch to disable it on the fly or something like that.

Yes only 08 and 09 had a disable traction control button. You can do it by locking the center diff...I have the v6 so disabling traction in 2x is much more fun than disabled traction control in 4hi. But yeah the wire mod is the only way. And I hear that you have to turn your truck off and back on...so you can turn it off on the fly but not turn it back on, on the fly. If that makes sense.

Hope that helps some.
Click to expand...
I have a 03 V8 2WD and I can turn TC off. It's how it's optioned at the factory.
 
Want to add that RSCA Off is not really off. Just changes the angle at which it deploys the rollover airbags. Don't quote me on this but I think it is 30% when on on, 70% when off (or 40 on /60 off, really don't remember.)
 
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