Reverse gear more capable than center lock?

[Clifford]

Yes, thanks- I was just going to go get my manual as I knew there was something still active even w/ center locked. The thing is, TRAC was not doing a damn thing for me in above situation as far as I could tell- tires spun very fast- no TRAC braking that I could see was being applied. Also found this link titled "Toyota 4WD systems explained" with info on Toyota 4wd modes- reading it now- pretty comprehensive-
Toyota 4WD systems explained - Car Forums - Edmunds

You are getting two different electron systems confused. Both of which are only on the 01-02 models.

-VSC (vehicle skid control) is disabled when you lock the center diff. Vehicle skid control is the one that kicks in when you start sliding sideways on ice or stuff like that.

-TRAC (traction control) is NOT able to be disabled from the factory. And is ALWAYS on no matter what form of 4x4 you are in.
TRAC is the one you want on for offroading, it uses the brakes to act as a sort of limited slip differential.

(You can add a switch to disable both of these simultaniously, andymod 2.0)

 

[Clifford]

I linked that post already in my initial post for this thread- thanks anyways though!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/78448-t-case-differences-all-years-3rd-gens-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html

Lots of good info if you're curious about why your 3rd gen does/doesn't lock while others do things differently.

 

[THEREALTOR1]

I linked that post already in my initial post for this thread- thanks anyways though!

Wow, you did. My bad

I'm sure most of the folks that have already posted in this thread have already read/seen or gone over all of this 100 x before, but this was one of the first things that brought me to this site in the first place (and I think it should be posted in as many places as possible ):

 

[Clifford]

Pics of installed Geolanders-

 

[KeatonMP]

Pics of installed Geolanders-

Same tires I have on my truck. Love em.

 

[99runnerwa]

Something you can do to help you out of a crossed up axle situation is Left foot breaking. Basically you apply a good amount of break with your left foot, load up the drive train up to about 2000-2500 rpm then ease off the break until you start to creep forward. It takes some practice to perfect but it works quite well. Basically it prevents the tire with out traction from spinning and robbing the power from the wheel with traction.

 

[Clifford]

Very interesting suggestion- will have to remember to try that one. Thanks.

...Left foot breaking...

 

[99runnerwa]

It has gotten me through spots that i didn't think i could make it, though i have since put in a locker front and rear which gets me through even more spots

 

[Singtoe]

Yes, thanks- I was just going to go get my manual as I knew there was something still active even w/ center locked. The thing is, TRAC was not doing a damn thing for me in above situation as far as I could tell- tires spun very fast- no TRAC braking that I could see was being applied. Also found this link titled "Toyota 4WD systems explained" with info on Toyota 4wd modes- reading it now- pretty comprehensive-
Toyota 4WD systems explained - Car Forums - Edmunds

Maybe some thing is malfunctioning with the trac system or maybe your rear brakes need to be adjusted. Does your e-brake pull all the way up to the top?

 

[adder70]

Very interesting suggestion- will have to remember to try that one. Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 99runnerwa View Post
...Left foot breaking...

That DOES seem like a painful and extreme solution... :jaw drop:



:biggrin2:

 

[99runnerwa]

Painful and extreme? Not really. It works when you are going slow through a technical part of the trail like getting over a ledge or something like that, not for those who prefer to keep the skinny peddle to the floor and not worry about damage

 

[Rock Slide]

Pics of installed Geolanders-

I've been considering picking up a set of those Yokos...who did you order from and how much $$ where they?

Another 3K on my current set of nitto TGs and I'll have turned 70K on them...they are borderline racing slicks at this point. New tires are in my very near future. Driving in the rain is not as fun as it use to be...

 

[Gerdo]

Pics of installed Geolanders-

They are great tires. That is what I run. Ride great on road and do great offroad too. I wouldn't run them if I was wheeling mud a lot.

 

[adder70]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 99runnerwa
...Left foot breaking...
That DOES seem like a painful and extreme solution... :jaw drop:



:biggrin2:

To clarify:
Brake (v): to slow down or stop with or as with a brake

Break (v): to fracture a bone of

 

[Mr. Leary]

Something you can do to help you out of a crossed up axle situation is Left foot breaking. Basically you apply a good amount of break with your left foot, load up the drive train up to about 2000-2500 rpm then ease off the break until you start to creep forward. It takes some practice to perfect but it works quite well. Basically it prevents the tire with out traction from spinning and robbing the power from the wheel with traction.

This technique works best with an LSD rear, and does not do much in the front at all given the overwhelming power of the brakes. However, it can definitely be that little extra help you need to get through a tight spot when used judiciously.

 

[Clifford]

The parking brake usually gets adjusted by my mechanic- and just got new tires put on and they said the brakes looked fine. You thinking if the pads were worn or rotors too thin?

Maybe some thing is malfunctioning with the trac system or maybe your rear brakes need to be adjusted. Does your e-brake pull all the way up to the top?

 

[Singtoe]

The parking brake usually gets adjusted by my mechanic- and just got new tires put on and they said the brakes looked fine. You thinking if the pads were worn or rotors too thin?

So, does the parking brake pull all the way up to the top or does it pull up only a few clicks?

 

[Clifford]

Pulls up fairly far but not all the way- I take it in and my mech usually adjusts and then it is way tighter- only a few clicks- I suppose a combo of pad wear and cable stretch? C

So, does the parking brake pull all the way up to the top or does it pull up only a few clicks?

 

[LINY4Runner]

I'm guessing that the reason why you popped out so easily was that the change of direction distributed weight over your front axle enough so that you were able to gain traction and back out.

Doesn't seem to be a whole lot more to it then that...

The center lock, locks your transfer case. Un-locked and it allows all the wheels to have different rotational speeds. This makes the vehicle AWD. If you were un-locked you probably would only have one wheel spinning and still go nowhere.

The reason you couldn't go anywhere is because both the front and rear differentials are "open". Open means that the diff allows a differential (different speeds/paths) between the two tires.

Two options thru that type of obstacle are:
*Try to keep the suspension from un-loading from being crossed-up. You may have to weave thru the obstacle to keep from un-loading tires.
*Lock the diffs.

Learning how to execute obstacles with open diffs builds trail skill. This is why learning to wheel with a vehicle that is open/open is important. Once you have those skills, adding a locker will get you thru harder obstacles safer.

Back to your question. There is zero difference in the drivetrain from drive to reverse, as far as traction. You probably could back out because of the incline you were on. As you sat there your tires were probably touching the dirt. As you try to move forward you further crossed-up the suspension and further un-loaded the two tires. Backing up allowed the tires to grab and climb the dirt hills that they were touching. They were also getting less crossed-up.

It is always easier to go thru an obstacle going down hill too.

Exactly. ^^

 

[LINY4Runner]

I thought that the 2001 and 2002 models had electronic traction control. It was my understanding that when you lock the center differential, it automatically shuts down the electronic traction control.

So basically, when center diff is open, power goes to wheel with less resistance, The Traction control will apply the brakes to that wheel transferring power to the next wheel with with the least resistance.

With the center diff locked, All the traction control systems are turned off and with the 4runner caddy cornered in a ditch (one tire on each axle is up in the air), the motor is sending power to both the front and rear wheels causing them to spin.

I might be wrong in this system and i am sure some will correct me.

You are getting two different electronic systems confused. Both of which are only on the 01-02 models.

-VSC (vehicle skid control) is disabled when you lock the center diff. Vehicle skid control is the one that kicks in when you start sliding sideways on ice or stuff like that.

-TRAC (traction control) is NOT able to be disabled from the factory. And is ALWAYS on no matter what form of 4x4 you are in.
TRAC is the one you want on for offroading, it uses the brakes to act as a sort of limited slip differential.

(You can add a switch to disable both of these simultaniously, andymod 2.0)

You two are confusing TRAC with ATRAC.

TRAC- as found on 01-02 4Runners DOES NOT apply brakes. It cuts power via the throttle cable.
ATRAC- as found in 03+ Runners and FJs applies brake to the slipping wheel in order to transfer power to a gripping wheel, effectively taking advantage of the open differentials