VSC Off, ATRAC On Mod complete!

[CJ3Flyr]

I completed the VSC-off mod on my T4R. The cool thing about this mod is the ATRAC is still active.

A great thank-you to Andries at T120. This is his hard work not mine.

What it's like after the mod is complete:
In 2wd dash lights are on (VSC & Diff lock). I didn't mess around enough to decide if VSC is working, traction control IS working; I'm assuming it has full VSC. It has all the familiar noises and accompanying reduction in power. The system seems to get confused if you attempt to change from 2HI to 4HI with the switch on. Lights get stuck in flash mode.

In 4HI it works as advertised :bigok: You have an unlocked Torsen center diff and no interference from the VSC; the VSC and Diff Lock light are on. You can definitely feel/hear ATRAC doing it's thing. The same deal in 4LO... I can lock and unlock the diff while in 4HI (or 4LO) with my switch on. It locks & unlocks ok. When unlocked the diff lock light continues to flash even after the diff unlocks. It is not a perfect mod. It beats the heck out what Toyota gave from the factory. I am thrilled! :bigok:

My advice is to not do a mode change with the added VSC switch on (grounding the wire). I may retract/amend that as I learn more. For now I plan to lock and unlock the diff, switch 4HI to 4LO with my added VSC switch in the off (ungrounded or open) position.

The bottom line is it's a great mod that facilitates the use of 4HI and 4LO without VSC interference and the center diff unlocked.

Andries saved me thousands! I was having serious 'VSC-off' envy of the 2008 guys!:lmao:

This is the original Andries, aka Bulldog, thread: http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3817

For further discussion of what the mod will do and why you may or may not want it read here:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=361595#post361595


Below are some how-to pics Battery should be disconnected for this procedure! There's a TSB that discusses the risks; basically disconnect the battery. Do not turn or change 4wd mode knob until it's all back together and powered up.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The rest of the pics

You can't see it but I put a couple of connectors on the switch wires also so that I can take the dash apart later without pulling and/or cutting wires.

:cheers:

 

[Uneek]

4-wheel power slides now?

Congrats on the mod.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

4-wheel power slides now?

You know it!:biggrin2: :bigok:

 

[Border411]

So wait a second---will this work on a 2004? I heard there were some issues with resetting the lights or something like that.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

So wait a second---will this work on a 2004? I heard there were some issues with resetting the lights or something like that.

Should work fine, I have had no reset issues. Stand-by though, I am going to tweak it and add to this post. I think I can get the lights working right and get it to work in 2wd. If you have the V8 do it as I have posted, no issues.


EDIT: I have had no reset issues thusfar. I have it in for a while now. There's no need to shut the vehicle off or anything other change the switch position.


:cheers:

 

[Border411]

I am standing by---This will make for some fun this winter hopefully!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I am standing by---This will make for some fun this winter hopefully!

:awais: I know, me too Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, I'll post the results.

:cheers:

 

[Falls]

So even if the VSC is deactivated by your switch it shows the center diff is locked when it is not . like in the picture ???

I have a V8 so how would that differ from the v6 as far as what lights up and when.

Why didn't you get a factory VSC off switch from an 08.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

So even if the VSC is deactivated by your switch it shows the center diff is locked when it is not . like in the picture ???

I have a V8 so how would that differ from the v6 as far as what lights up and when.

Why didn't you get a factory VSC off switch from an 08.

1) That's correct, VSC is defeated and the center diff is UNLOCKED.

2) The procedure was developed for a V8 and the lights work better. The V6 has AAD (ADD?) on the front axle and that requires a couple of extra wires. That's what I need to on Fri or Sat.

3) I might. The factory switch is a momentary and will require the use of a relay (which is fine, in fact better). As wired now I have to shut the switch off when I shut the truck off otherwise on startup the VSC/ATRAC computer can't complete it's self check. By using a momentary switch/relay combo it will return to 'normal' every time you shutdown (like the side airbag defeat button).

:cheers:

 

[Falls]

I must be misunderstanding . I thought and it looks like the diff lock light is on in the picture.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I must be misunderstanding . I thought and it looks like the diff lock light is on in the picture.

You're correct, the diff lock light and the condition DO NOT agree... The light is on but the diff is NOT locked. The whole deal is to trick the VSC into thinking the center diff IS locked thereby convincing the VSC to take a nap.

When I work on it this weekend I'll let you know if the light indications improve/change.


:cheers:

 

[shuly]

So even if the VSC is deactivated by your switch it shows the center diff is locked when it is not . like in the picture ???

I have a V8 so how would that differ from the v6 as far as what lights up and when.

Why didn't you get a factory VSC off switch from an 08.

Falls...any idea for part numbers for the VSC off switch for an 08. I didn't have that option on my 07. I like my buttons to look clean, like they are supposed to be there in the first place. This mod would be nice if it works on an 07 V8 Ltd Fulltime 4x. I have two free button spaces left on the center console....well actually only one. One is reserved for future off-road lights on a roofrack.

 

[alaskaman]

The flyer is a genius.:bowdown:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The flyer is a genius.:bowdown:

Well thank-you and :lmao: I get called many things, genius isn't usually one of them. Truth is it's not me... From the 1st entry in this thread, "A great thank-you to Andries at T120. This is his hard work not mine."


:cheers:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Falls...any idea for part numbers for the VSC off switch for an 08. I didn't have that option on my 07. I like my buttons to look clean, like they are supposed to be there in the first place. This mod would be nice if it works on an 07 V8 Ltd Fulltime 4x. I have two free button spaces left on the center console....well actually only one. One is reserved for future off-road lights on a roofrack.

You would need to incorporate a relay as the '08 button is a momentary type switch. This guy had a switch for sale, maybe he still has the part #, I know he sold the switch. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41229


:cheers:

 

[G.I.G.]

Just curious, but how do you know for sure that the center diff isn't locked when you turn off the VSC? Have you been able to verify this somehow?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Just curious, but how do you know for sure that the center diff isn't locked when you turn off the VSC? Have you been able to verify this somehow?

Yes. 1st let me say I have been playing with diffs etc since I was a little kid and have a good 'feel' for this stuff.

More directly to your question: I did two, low speed 360's in a dirt lot, one officially locked and one with my switch on. You can visually see and feel the difference. The 'locked' leaves very prominent marks in the dirt. The 360 completed with my switch 'on' produces tracks that look the same as if you did it in 2wd (and you can feel the absence of wheelslip/binding).

:cheers:

 

[IS_350]

For all those who do not want the computure to interfere with their throttle input during off-roading (i.e. those that seek deliberate wheel spin)...isn't disabling traction control (ATRAC) more important than VSC? VSC just prevents the vehicle from spinning laterally, while disabling Traction Control will enable the driver to manipulate the throttle/wheel spin. Thoughts?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

For all those who do not want the computure to interfere with their throttle input during off-roading (i.e. those that seek deliberate wheel spin)...isn't disabling traction control (ATRAC) more important than VSC? VSC just prevents the vehicle from spinning laterally, while disabling Traction Control will enable the driver to manipulate the throttle/wheel spin. Thoughts?

No with a little bit of yes... Terminology: The ATRAC and VSC combine and work in harmony to produce traction control (and skid control). Traction control is a little bit the VSC cutting the power output and a little bit ATRAC. The VSC is what cuts the power output to help minimalize or eliminate wheelspin.

The ATRACs primary job is to pinch the brake on the wheel that's spinning faster which sends the power to the wheel with traction. It works R to L only and provides the limited-slip functionality. There's no scenario where it would be pinching both brakes simultaneously. When running with just the ATRAC the driver has very good power modulation and as much or as little power as the driver chooses. If you hit the throttle hard enough and the engine gets in excess of 2500rpm or so, ATRAC stops doing it's thing. What's unclear is whether it stops working or the horsepower over powers it; either way it doesn