Turn off traction control?

[Montmtn4runner]

I own a 2007 4Runner. Is there a way to turn of the traction control? I live in Montana where we get plenty of snow and when pulling out onto a street, if the wheels slip, the traction control basically stops the vehicle moving. This is extremely frustrating and dangerous. Please help.

 

[zstampe]

Its a four wheel drive I'm assuming, lock the center diff and you'll be set.

 

[Uneek]

Moved to 4th gen sub forum.

 

[martini]

Here's how to disable Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) http://www.toyota-4runner.org/perfo...rs-more/41357-vsc-off-atrac-mod-complete.html, for traction control (TRAC) Other than locking the center differential you can pull this plug but it disables both VSC and TRAC.

 

[Tibby23]

Does unplugging it cause problems with anything else?

 

[4RunnERD]

Its a four wheel drive I'm assuming, lock the center diff and you'll be set.

What about if you have a V8 with full time 4 wheel drive? Don't you have to be in 4LO to lock the center differential? Can't really drive around town in 4LO.

 

[TRDCal]

Don't you have to be in 4LO to lock the center differential? Can't really drive around town in 4LO.

Oh hell no, you can lock that sucker anytime you feel like it. I do suggest Kliv's VSC off mod tho, takes some time to install but works like as if Toyota design it themselves. Here's the link (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/perfo...8882-new-fine-grained-vsc-off-mod-v6-1gr.html), its says V6 but I installed this on my V8 no problem. It is covered in the thread tho.

 

[4RunnERD]

Oh hell no, you can lock that sucker anytime you feel like it. I do suggest Kliv's VSC off mod tho, takes some time to install but works like as if Toyota design it themselves. Here's the link (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/perfo...8882-new-fine-grained-vsc-off-mod-v6-1gr.html), its says V6 but I installed this on my V8 no problem. It is covered in the thread tho.

Thanks for the info and the link!

 

[Alexhill870]

If i unplug the VSC and TRAC plug, 1. will it mess anything up? 2. Can i plug it back in and everythinng will go back to normal?

Im in a 2006 SR5 4X4

 

[robtmc]

If i unplug the VSC and TRAC plug, 1. will it mess anything up? 2. Can i plug it back in and everythinng will go back to normal?

Everything should be normal again, but you will not have ABS working with it unplugged, if that concerns you.

 

[SSt4r]

I like this solution http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...ssories/41357-vsc-off-atrac-mod-complete.html much more than unplugging under the hood. A couple different solutions in here.

 

[Ryan1975]

It's been five years since I got rid of my 4th Gen...but can't you disable the traction control by pressing and holding the button for a few seconds? It returns to normal above 35mph, correct?

 

[m85476585]

It's been five years since I got rid of my 4th Gen...but can't you disable the traction control by pressing and holding the button for a few seconds? It returns to normal above 35mph, correct?

Only on 2008+, I think.

In my opinion, installing winter tires is the best way to disable traction control. Also adjusting your driving style so you don't have to pull out in front of people (not always possible I know, but most of the time you can avoid it).

I have average all season tires, and traction control hasn't come on yet this winter. Even last year when I tested it in snowy parking lots I could always accelerate reasonably. It never stopped me from moving.

Without it, remember that your front and rear diffs are open, so if one front and one rear wheel lose traction you aren't going anywhere. Open diffs send power to the path of least resistance. Traction control attempts to keep the wheels with less traction from slipping, and it attempts to keep you from accelerating too fast for the conditions and spinning wheels. Slipping wheels have less grip than rolling wheels, and you have less control over steering if wheels are slipping. You could also break something if you're spinning a wheel way too fast and it suddenly hooks up and gets traction (unlikely, but why risk it?).

 

[Ryan1975]

Only on 2008+, I think.

In my opinion, installing winter tires is the best way to disable traction control. Also adjusting your driving style so you don't have to pull out in front of people (not always possible I know, but most of the time you can avoid it).

I have average all season tires, and traction control hasn't come on yet this winter. Even last year when I tested it in snowy parking lots I could always accelerate reasonably. It never stopped me from moving.

Without it, remember that your front and rear diffs are open, so if one front and one rear wheel lose traction you aren't going anywhere. Open diffs send power to the path of least resistance. Traction control attempts to keep the wheels with less traction from slipping, and it attempts to keep you from accelerating too fast for the conditions and spinning wheels. Slipping wheels have less grip than rolling wheels, and you have less control over steering if wheels are slipping. You could also break something if you're spinning a wheel way too fast and it suddenly hooks up and gets traction (unlikely, but why risk it?).

Thanks - it was a discussion we were having on another board and I couldn't believe the 2006 owner couldn't disable his dummy systems without locking the center diff.

I loved my 4th Gen (2008 Sport) in the snow...never got me stuck...never had an issue. 5th Gens are just as beastly, if not more so.

 

[bmorey]

2004 4WD V8 4Runner Trac Off Button

VSC Off, ATRAC On Mod complete!

I just posted this on another thread. Check out https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3552354-post171.html

 

[Coltont45]

Will any lights pop up on my dash if I do this mod?

 

[klavender1]

Any updates to this? There's so many write-ups and way of doing this that it's gotten me confused. Mainly, the only thing I "think" I need is to turn off traction control when offroading.
With my 2003 V8 4wd, I have the blue connector and wiring behind the dash panel. I know when I lock the center diff, this will disengage VSC. What if I only wanted to disengage traction control? The 4Runner is new to me and I haven't been offroading yet so I'm not sure what to expect.
When going over wet/slick rocks, with only 4LO engaged, will traction control kick in and not let me power over the rocks? If I engage the center diff lock, will traction control kick in and not let me power over the rocks?
I don't drive in snow (I live in South Carolina), and will only need this when offroading. I just don't want to get offroad and not be able to get out of a situation where I may need the tires to spin. Or am I just really confused about the whole thing?

 

[othompson824]

Here's what I do.

Unplug the MAF sensor, start up the car. It'll probably stall and die when you start it because the sensor is unplugged, that's ok. When you start it you're car automatically turns off TRAC and VSC, however it does throw a CEL. That's fine though, Ill tell you why in a sec. So after you've started it once, go plug the MAF sensor back in and it'll be running fine again. BUT, the TRAC and VSC will still be off, as well as the CEL. After about 30 minutes of driving on the road TRAC and VSC turn back on and the CEL goes away.

2006 4R V6